You go, girl !!! Mindy, by george, I think you got it !! Plectranthus australis (Swedish Ivy). But I knew that. Just wanted to see how hard I could make yÂall work. Noooo, not really. I had NO CLUE. But I can just picture everyone working hard as SantaÂs little elves over these past few days, trying to help me out. And a great big thanks to everyone !! YouÂve all been just great !!! And had you not, the poor little thing would be sitting outside right now, on its way to death's door. Although it IS a perennial, itÂs apparently Zone 10  12. IÂm 7b. So I guess Lowe's DID stick it in the wrong pot. I just ran outside and brought it in and the little guy already looks happier. Since I got him and gave him something to drink, heÂs really flourished. Now I can even feed him !! I WAS letting him go dormant. One of the biggest problems identifying it was probably its size. ItÂs so small and neglected so leaves werenÂt as lush and many had died. Most pics show healthy, established plants. Mindy, the only thing stumping me is the 'sweet aroma.' I swear, even tearing a leaf....nothing. But the description of the leaves and stems (off various sites) is so "on point" which has been my main problem (matching it with other suggestions) that I'm 99% sure you're right. "Glossy, dark green leaves are rounded with scalloped edges" (instead of bright green in other descriptions) and "Stems are green to dull maroon in color and will quickly root into soil as they grow along the ground" (no hairs mentioned like the others). All this is "spot on." And the ability to grow along the ground should have clicked when I previously posted it had those Âsuckers on stems like ivy does. Bet thatÂs what tipped you off, huh Mindy? Hee hee!! And just look at the beautiful flowers IÂll hopefully be getting (link below) !!! There's also a white version. Not too bad for an 83¢ abused & neglected plant, huh? (How do you post more than one link???) Well, thanks again, everyone !! I guess it is "cased closed." IÂll miss you guys (talk to you later, Mindy, and many thanks). Bonnie AKA brit5467 PS  Still open for any other thoughts, tho. Here is a link that might be useful:

I'd agree with most of what everyone else is saying here. Most of us would give our left reproductive organ to own a site like that. ; ) As to management, there are several things I'd encourage: 1) Identify what you've got using wildflower guides or other resources. Your local agriculture extention office can help you identify plants (or you can post photos of them and we'll do our best). 2) Eliminate invasive exotics (like the autumn olive - if that's what it is.) 3) Eliminate Nutrient (fertilizer) Runoff! Your description already suggests a high nutrient load. Algae and cattails are a sign of too much nitrogen and phosphates. (but don't feel you need to remove them, as they are natures way of trying to bring the system back into balance). 4)Grasses/sedges are good. The aesthetic americans have developed of wanting an articifically mowed or landscaped area is a relatively recent invention. It derived as a status symbol. There is a strong new aesthetic developing which values more natural looking environments. You could choose to be in the "in" crowd and keep your grasses. 5) Selectively reintroduce wildflowers native to your area. Here are some species to consider: Iris virginica, with spectacular blue flowers. Lobelia cardinalis, Cardinal Flower Lobelia siphilitica, Blue Lobelia Rhexia virginica - Meadow Beauty (pink) Eriophorum virginicum - Cotton Grass. Yes, another grass, but has tufts like white cotton that look fantastic. (You might have seen it at cranberry glades) Eupatorium purpureum, Sweetscented Joepyeweed. HUGE plumes of purple fragrant flowers that butterflies love. Vernonia noveboracensis - New York Ironweed. Dark Purple flowers in late fall. 6)CREP(Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). Believe it or not, you may be able to get money or reimbursement for certain restoration and preservation of your wetland. This site can tell you more: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/cepd/crep.htm 7)OPTIONAL/ADVANCED - One way to encourage a healthier landscape is to burn the meadow area in late winter / very early spring. There are agencies that can educate you on the proper way to do this, but don't attempt it yourself without experience or assistance! The general concept is to choose a low fire risk day in late winter. Notify the fire Department. Mow or plow around the edges of the site to create a "buffer" and wet the edges down. Then, burn from the outside in (so it stays in the circle). I hope all this is helpful to you. If you do choose to enhance the site, please send photos of the progress. I'd also want to add my voice to the others that suggest that doing nothing except appreciating it, is also a valid and worthwhile option. Here is a link that might be useful: A Native Plant Nursery (Hyla Brook)

Thanks to everyone for all their suggestions and help. I have now finally dug and planted my first bog garden!! While it's not what I originally envisioned, I was faced with getting all my wonderful plants in the ground ASAP as weather and other projects were fast becoming an issue. And, thanks to 7 hurricanes and dozens of tornadoes, I have two 50 gal barrels of rainwater on hand for my bog! While visiting my family in CA last month, I visited California Carnivores twice and shipped home several gorgeous plants - thanks to Peter's help and advice. Additionally, I had purchased about 2 dozen specimens off the Internet, so I had quite a variety to get started. So far, I only have pitcher plants, fly traps, bladderworts, butterworts and sundews. I look forward to adding a great number of others - thanks to Fred's wonderful suggestions -next year. I also have a new pond going in this week and as soon as that and the deck near it are completed, then I can seriously get started on designing the final home for my bog. Right now it's appearance is quite utilitarian, but as soon as all the pond building paraphenalia is gone I will finally be able to get near it again and take a picture to post. Thanks again for everyone's help - I can already see that this new delight is going to start competing with my ponds for real estate space!!!!!

Hello everyone!!! Hi Greg!!! I have always enjoyed taking pics...I would love to take a class sometime...but I just love looking at things from a different angle!!! I really miss the old cameras...35mm where I could manually work the camera..I do love the digital cameras..but I feel that I had more control from the old timers!!! "trying not to show my age!!!" LOL... Jim..I would love to see pics of those icicles...I find them quite fascinating...I especially love the ice covered tree too! There is a pic when I sign onto the photobucket page...there is an ice covered tree that look like yours..check it out!!! It;s a beauty...but yours was more massive than this one... ncpalm...I wish that it will be 2 months...more like 3 for us...The sabals are very hardy!!! But I'm not going to take a chance on the weight on the fronds...My hubby helps alot...when he needs help tying up the boat during hurricanes...I don't complain...because I know that he will help and paybacks are great!!! LOL... Take care everyone...Happy New Year!!! Laura in VB