I routinely get some five footers in my patch of ostreiches - that corner has a rather prehistoric look about it. They're really up now, but yellow out and die back in September so I'd probably question a 7' height over the short course of our growing season. Anything's possible, and 4' isn't unreasonable.

I'm interested in organically grown host montana or fortune - or any that you've successfully used and an edible - and ostrich fern. What I have: mostly ornamentals. Cranesbill Geranium, Canterbury bells, Pinks, Creeping Phlox, Tall Phlox. Lots of trees and shrubs if you want cuttings. Lots of baby trees! Oh, and some ground-hugging sedum and creeping Jenny, golden oregano and mint. I have a lovely coral colored iris that you could have a division of, but it's a risk - it doesn't like it's home and hasn't flowered in several years.

I'm trying to swap for some on the exchange, but don't expect any bites - they're too dear. Do you know of any local sources that sell starters or divisions that are organically grown? Or even mail order? I did find one source, but they were over the top expensive, even expensive. Have some trouble accepting that when I used to divide them and have three more at the drop of a hat. :-) We're using some of the shoots as edibles, so really want organic H. fortunei or H. Montana. Any hosta mavens out there?

Lately there's been a lot of interest in corydalis root as a potential treatment for the Western disease known as fibromyalgia. In Chinese traditional medicine.. Not sure if this is true or another one of the miracle drugs but you may have a market for these. I always wory about planting ground cover because of this choking out my hosta and other plants. The ferns, shoots I do keep them cut out and either move and plant in another area or give away too but these do look good waving in the breeze. My uncle from the coast hated them in his blueberry farm. Still a lovely setting