Be careful when you dig them up! I dug up a ton of them last summer while planting garden in my new house. Didn't know what the danged things were. Gave away about 30 bulbs -- about 20-30 wound up drying out. AND I HAVE MORE THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR! I don't know if they'll bloom this year or not; I had to cut the stems a little earlier than last year, because they were so heavy and numerous and thick, they were killing my rosebushes and my butterfly bush -- just totally smothering them out. If I had known what they were when I planted other stuff, I would have arranged things a little differently.

This is a good idea. I guess it's no surprise we're going to love the plants that are so often talked about and have good pictures to get inspired by. I knew I'd love Old Glory based on Alexa's picture from last year. Someone posted a glowing picture of Tequila Sunrise and I had to have it. It's the ones not often spoken of and that I get as an after thought, ones that turn out wonderful that are such a gift. Here are some of them. From 2006 the winner was Cutting Edge. I added it at the very last minute to a mail order. I don't know if I didn't read the leaf size or what but the size surprised me. So did the color, texture and overall beauty. This picture is from that first year. It is much bigger now and I'm sure I've posted other pictures. 2007 was a big hosta year for me. OK, I went nuts. From the spring orders, Anne Kulpa and Ophir were the surprises. Anne Kulpa was one I was debating back and forth about getting. I ended up ordering Christmas Candy instead (which is nice) but then finding Anne Kulpa at a local nursery. Of the two, if I had to pick, I'd pick her. Ophir is stunning in the brightness and fast growth. In the middle of the summer I ordered from Hosta Choice for the last time. Sadly, both of the owners died that year. That had a very good sale so I ordered lots. The plants arrived with their tops cut off. I know that practice has been debated here but I didn't mind it really. They arrived in mid July I think and by early August they were putting up new, fresh looking leaves. This was nice to see in the heat of the summer when most others are looking a bit the worse for wear. They all grew but these few, added to the order without a lot of thought, have really thrived. Arc de Triomphe and Lacy Belle Bob Deane and Carolina Blue At the end of August last year there was a 30% off sale by one of the Canadian Mail Order nurseries. I thought, what the heck, I was over the top anyway - I might as well go a little further. Some of those plants which arrived in the middle of Sept. looked pretty ratty. They have all grown and being more or less settled at the start of this year must be an advantage from going through shipping in the spring. Two of these plants are way up on my favourites already. Carolina Sunshine and Li'l Abner 2008 - One of the winners from this hear is Brave Amhurst. I didn't even know I wanted this one but I sure like it. The steely blue color seems different than any of my other plants with blue (maybe El Nino is similar) I had placed and order from Naylor Creek in January. In February I went to the NW Plant show in Seattle. Naylor was there and selling plants Was I suppose to not buy more?!! I found five that had not been high priorities though I'd heard of them. Two of those have captured my attention. One Mans Treasure ...and Sky Dancer I hope others will show some pictures. I really need to add to my list...right?! McT

Snapped lots of iris pics last night, thinking the weather might get them. Someday want to consolidate them, because they're scattered all over the yard and think it would be an amazing display all together, but for now, my fave was this unusual light blue (shown next to a purple so you can see how light it was).

Nice trachy growth. Not sure on crapes, but it looks like they're a decent size, so they should be blooming. You're right about sweet potato vines, definitely surprised me with their vigor. This is my first year, and I had to dig them out of the planters I had them in because they were taking over. I planted them in a separate planter by themselves, and they look great. I have the type like your green variety, but in the dark purple color. Definitely will plant these again.