Susan, the Formosa lilies are blooming now. Michelle said you wanted seeds. Would a plant(s) be better? Michelle has the plant you wanted. I'll bring it too for you. Michelle won't be ableto make it as little Christopher, now 6, plays football every saturday morning. Did Chris see anything she wanted? Does anyone want the wild phlox that were on the side of the house? Oh, still getting baby toads if ya'll want some!! :O) Lynn

I just think it would be fun to meet other local gardeners. None of my friends or family locally are into gardening much. I always have extra plants. Our climate is so unique it is great to have this forum and since we all like to talk about gardening online, I'm sure we'd like to talk about gardening in person too. ;) I've belonged to an online pond forum for many years and have met many members in person and it is such fun. I've traveled up to Vancouver BC twice for get togethers and hosted one here last summer. Met others on vacations around the US too. Thought folks on this forum might enjoy a get together too.

I'm out of town Sept 23-28 and Oct 5- Nov 1, so if it's on Sept 23 or Oct 14 I'll have to miss it. I don't have much ready to swap anyway, so I will just plan to see you all next spring, or I might be able to foist off a few plants on someone who's going to be at Katy's Marthas Vineyard Extravaganza in early September. Right now the only thing I've got growing that I'd bring that's at all unusual is rosemary-leaf willow (Salix elaeagnus, aka S. rosmarifolia). There are some variegated hydrangeas coming along, but they're a bit iffy anyway; hard to overwinter that first year after rooting. Other than that it's just some very common stuff, like thyme, rudbeckia, angelica, peach-leaf bellflower, columbine ... nothing anyone could get too excited about! I think you should go ahead and pick one of the dates listed above, and if anyone wants anything that's on my list we'll see if we can get a volunteer to bring it. Cheers - DtD

LOL Skybird! Yea, moving to Kansas has not been a life long dream or anything like that ;) But after our daughter moved here we discovered the cost of living is so much more affordable and the East side near Overland Park is really quite pretty. Not flatter than a pancake but actually has some rolling hills!! And lots of green trees and open land. I gave up the ocean to move to the mountains, and now gave up the mountains to live a simpler life in the American Heartland. Not fond of the humidity (except it makes my hair curl better lol) but it actually hasn't been tooo bad - only a few days here and there where it was a bit overbearing. Lately it's actually been quite hot and dry, but then the weather is now changing to be more fall like (thank goodness!). Some things I'm looking forward to are more colors in the fall leaves, and then next summer seeing lightning bugs (or fireflies). I was excited to learn they have them out here as I remember them from childhood days when we lived in Illinois. We found a nice spot in the country close to a lake with lots of trees and nature around us. A pleasant change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city life! I will take this fall and winter to think about what and where I'd like to plant a few things in the spring. Planning to stay somewhat minimal on that (famous last words) and go with more of a natural look and low care. I do have deer to consider in my choices now. Haven't seen any rabbits though! Everyone eat an extra helping of great food and take an extra plant home for me!! :)