First let me mention they packed the plants in a way that I dont think they even knew they were moved. They never even dropped a leaf. I ordered the pronephrion simplex (variegated), and a tricyrtis niitaka. Defiently not there most expensive ones, but really nice. It was one of those things where I could have got one expensive one or two moderate priced ones. So I chose the latter. If my piggy bank gets big enough I will be back this spring for one of their philodendrons, or maybe one of their unique ficus trees. Maybe on the ficus. They get pricey! I only have one unsual ficus.My husband got it for me. I dont know where he got it. Its called ficus nightingale. They have many varietys there that I have never even seen before. Or heard of for that matter!

Hi, What a fun project. I hope you will keep us posted and post some photos of your developing pond. I did a little search and came up with a few websites that have some good information. There is a Phx. Pond Society that has some info on thier site, and also an a website for AZ Aquatic Gardens that sells supplies for ponds and I bet you could contact them for info specific to AZ ponds. As for plants and direct sun. AZ sun is much more intense than the average direct sun in most the the US. I know this because I grew up in Phx. then went to work as a travel nurse after college (thus gardening in all different parts of the US) and then returned back to AZ. If you put certain plants in direct sun here in the summer they will fry. Native plants and things like bougainvillea that require fun sun are fine. It seems that many fdrought tolerant plants will do well in full AZ sun. Most tropicals that require humidity, especially those with large leaves seem to do better with a little afternoon shade. Large leaved plants (like elephant ears etc)lose alot of moisture from thier leaves and will fry in the hot dry direct sun and climate. Give them a little shade and humidity they do better. Some canna can do well with some full sun but I have found many of them do much better with afternoon shade, epecially the white variegated ones and the dark/vivid colored ones. My tropicanas leaf color will definitely fade out in full sun. It also depends what is around the plant -like say gravel, cement, block walls etc will reflect and hold heat making direct sun situations worse. Now in the winter this could work to your advantage-In summer...certain death for some plants. One thing I have found with my tropicals is to slowly acclimate (by keeping them in pots for a while, I can move them slowly into more sun and see what works. If you watch them and see signs of sunburn it it too much and you can always move them back into the shade etc. AZ Aquatic Gardens http://www.azgardens.com/index.php Here is a link that might be useful: Phoenix Pond Society

I love mums! I'm really enjoying the photos here - thanks! I bought some mums called Debbie's Daisy from Bluestone several years ago, and they lived quite nicely in pots for about three years. I finally got them in the ground this spring, and they look awful, lol! Geez, I should have procrastinated another year. But it seems to be the same problem my friend is having - something seems to be eating them, but something small - insect type eating, not critter. Either that or the critter is dieting and taking very small nibbles, lol. My friend bought three different varieties from Bluestone, and between the nibbling and the stomping by deer going through that bed, it's amazing they are still alive. I'm hoping that both hers and mine make it through the winter for another chance at life next year. Evonne, last year I bought seed from Thompson and Morgan for two different types of mums. One was chrysanthemum Koreanum Fanfare Improved F1, and the other was chrys. Early Dwarf Charm Fashion Mixed F1 Hybrid (catchy names, huh, lol?). I had very good germination with both through winter-sowing last winter, although I was a bit underwhelmed with the blooms themselves. Perhaps I need to give the plants a chance to get bigger and older before judging. Ooh! A quick look at T&M's website shows a few more kinds of mum seeds!... Oh darn, a closer look shows most are annuals. Oh well, take a look anyway! :) Dee Here is a link that might be useful: T&M - scroll down for chrysanthemums

Although we don't live there anymore, my husband and I are both from Jackson. We live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast now, but go "home" whenever we can. Many of our family members and closest friends still live there. I have someone in mind that I would be happy to recommend if you would like to send me an e-mail I can give you more info. What town/suburb are you moving to? Look forward to hearing from you! Jan