Nativemel: It is breathtaking, isn't it? We decided these beds along the walkway were as pretty as we have ever seen them and we've been going for years. I'm pretty sure the fuzzy blue flower is argeratum. There are gerbera daisies mixed in (that's the large daisy-shaped flowers in various bright colors). Maybe some cape daisy (the smaller yellow ones)? Keep in mind that Disney will change out the flowers in this bed once the festival is over. These are great flowers for Florida's Spring but won't be this pretty when the summer heat & daily rain start. It's not easy to achieve this look in a home garden - at least not all year long. If you use perennials for the basis of your bed, but then mix in some annuals for seasonal color (and change them out 2 or 3 times a year) you can get close though. We saw huge beds with hundreds of bromeliads all around the Epcot globe and noticed that each plant was still in it's own pot. All they need to do when they change over a bed is pull up the pots, scrape back the mulch, set down pots of a different plant and re-spread the mulch. A fresh sprinkle of mulch on top and it once again looks like a garden at peak performance. The broms probably go back to a greenhouse to wait for next year's display. Kate

Thanks everyone, you are very kind, I've seen the lovely seedlings people are growing so you are being generous. But I thank you, and appreciate hearing the nice things about my babies :) Debra, #5 & 6 were some seeds someone gave me, a cross of Wonder of it All & a spacecoast, I think Spacecoast Cotton Candy. I like the color on #5 better, I call the edges a tangerine color, not quite orange & not quite yellow, but I like the form better on the lighter one. #5 often has extra little "tufts" of ruffles. I'm surprised that it has been opening pretty well this year. Kay, the coloring of that one is delicate, but nothing delicate about the plant :) I need to learn how to measure blooms. The largest blooms were early ones & down to the last few that are smaller & still the size of my hand.And my hand isn't small! It really stands out. The 2nd one looks so much better in person. It should have bloomed last year but didn't, probably because I have had to start planting seedlings in a bit of shade. It has quite a decent bud count & had 4 blooms open one day. Seems to be multiplying very well. Of course, there are several out there similar to this. And the other 2 light colored ones. I was really surprised when the 4th one bloomed this year. It bloomed last year but looked nothing like this, I hope it maintains this look & not due to the cooler, wetter weather we've had this year. The next to the last photo is from Palace Garden Beauty, & looks pretty similar, but different when you compare them side by side, a little more pastel. I've been trying some blue eyed crosses, or at least what I have that is close to blue eyes. We'll see what happens. I'm fond of the last one too, just a little different from anything in my garden. Most of my seedlings have bloomed now, I'm feeling a little sad that I won't get to see any more. Now I have to prepare a place to put out my seeds next year.

Those shots came out really awesome, even though the sky was so overcast. You're such a good photographer, even without your "good" camera! And I'm so glad you got the owl! After you left, I was thinking we forgot to go back and take a better pic of the tree and make sure the owl was there. But that one came out perfectly. It was a wonderful day. Did anybody else get a chance to go? Next year - I mean it! - you guys can't miss it if at all possible. Maybe we could rent out the conference place and let all the chilluns swim and slide. The very best part was getting me a new friend who is absolutely adorable and actually gets me, quirky eating habits and all! Susie

Wow Richie, What a beautiful home, every detail is beyond perfect. Do you have a parade marching by on the fourth? I would love a front porch. Do you pass the time with your neighbors in the evening? kt