Any sub-tropical exotic catches my eye, like the Gunnera's, Windmill palms(Trachycarpus fortunei), giant ricepaper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Steroidal Giant'), the many different species of bamboo, hardy eucalyptus, & the hardy banana (Musa basjoo). Also the other hardy and semi-hardy palms such as the Sabal's, (Jubaea chilensis) Chilean Wine Palm, (Butia capitata)Jelly Palm, (Butia eriospatha) Woolly Jelly Palm, plus a few others that I see around the area. I also find the bright flowers of the hardy Grevillea and Callistemon very eye catching. Of course Chilean Firebush (Embothrium coccineum) during the spring also catches my eye along with the bright blue flowers of the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) I also like the bright yellow flowers of the Scotsbroom, specially during our dark, rainy, depressing spring days. Those bright yellow flowers are so cheery. Scottsbroom also provides cover and food for one of my favorite birds, the valley quail. If it wasn't for the scottsbroom around Olympia there wouldn't be valley quail. I also like the bright cheery flowers of the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). There isn't the range of color, fragance, and time of blooming of any other plant for the northwest. They are very attractive.

On propagating Harison's Yellow - I actually find it very easy to propogate HY from softwood cuttings during the summer (new growth). Get about 6-8" new growth, strip off all but the top couple of leaf nodes, dip cutting in rooting hormone, place cuttings en masse in a LARGE pot of 1/2 and 1/2 seedstarting mix/perlite. Place pot outside in a spot that is always shaded (under a tree, north side of house, etc), and water at least daily. Do NOT cover the pot with plastic or anything - just keep it watered. I usually have 12-18 cuttings of one variety in each large pot. As soon as good topgrowth starts (6-8 weeks or so), carefully remove individual rooted cuttings and place them in their own 1 gal pot. Starting roses from softwood cuttings outside in a big pot guarantees almost 100% success for me - trying to root them the "proper" way in a plastic bag absolutely does not work for me - I end up with mushy brown cuttings that died. High Country Roses is a great rose nursery! I already have my order placed for this year. Nancy

Debra and NHL - so glad to enable you on Tickle Me Pink! I just think it's a real standout. Can't wait to see it again soon. All of these flowers are just beautiful. I can't believe I used to think hosta flowers were ugly. I guess I'm still not crazy about the super long scapes that veer off to the sides and look a little unkempt (like on Winter Snow)... but even those are okay for a little while until they turn brown (then I cut 'em off). I really like the straight up scapes - Old Dirt, that Sweet Home Chicago is beautiful! I can't believe I don't have one, since I'm originally from Chicago. Peren, you do have amazing flowers, and Teaspoon is especially noticable to me. I have two Teaspoons and they are growing soooo slowly, and have never bloomed. Not sure what's wrong with them... maybe slow to establish. And I love your critter pictures. Sunnywood, whatever it's called, it's gorgeous! Lederhosen - I looked it up in the Library and they say it's rare/difficult to find. I'll be keeping my eyes open for that one. And fragrant too! This summer I'll try to keep all these categories in mind as I work in the garden, and hopefully get some better pictures.

Irish Eyes just getting started in one of my weedy beds This one comes with a story from years ago. I was at Wade and Gatton, after a great day and getting my order written up, when a car pulls up. It was Dick and Jane Ward, come to visit Van. And my sister and I are standing there with one of their plants in our hands! They were lovely people, chatted a bit about what a nice plant i had picked, LOL! That’s it for my encounters with Famous Hosta folks - other than Van Wade, whose place I visited many times.