Hey, everybody, sorry I've been late responding. Thought Marianne might post something. I was off work Monday and Tuesday and don't have internet access at home anymore. Then our power went out at work yesterday with the storms. Anyway, everything went really well Saturday. We were dreading the cold temps, but the caretaker at Rock Castle, Tom, generously offered us the run of the vistors' center. I'm a naturalist in many ways, but God bless central heating. We had a much better turnout than we expected, given the weather. We were all heartbroken, as I'm sure thousands of people have been, about losing some treasures to the cold temps. But Mother Nature is a great teacher. About the swap: Five people showed up after having heard about our swap on Garden Web, three of the master gardeners who maintain Rock Castle, a few other people that I lost track of and can't honestly tell you where they came from, (I'll have to consult our sign up sheets later) and the five of us who put the swap together, plus several of our respective family members and friends. I was afraid we'd wear out our welcome at Rock Castle, but Tom said he's looking forward to hosting our spring and fall swaps every year! We had a really good plant selection. I got some great stuff, we donated several plants to Rock Castle. Mostly, though, we had a blast. Everybody said they'd come back in the spring and fall and we hope to keep building the group. We are definitely planning on expanding to include a pot luck this fall and may add a speaker at some point. Those of you who missed the event, we definitely understand and look forward to seeing you this fall. We have a tentative date for the fall swap of Oct 20th. The 13th is already spoken for at Rock Castle, but if they have a cancellation, Tom promised he'd let us know. I'm planning on coming to the river for the MTPS in May, and am really looking forward to it. We have the perennial sale this Sat. at the fairgrounds in Nashville, and the herb sale on the 21st! Always something to look forward to. Thanks again for all the help an interest we've gotten from everyone!! Here is a link that might be useful: Perrennial Plant Sale info

Hey Jeff - it looks like I will be bringing at least two kids, so can definitely help you out with whatever you need. I see that the gate won't be open until 8 AM, so even though it is only about 60 miles (??) will probably leave out of here about 6 AM - drive slow, try not to get lost, etc. :) But wanted to let you know for sure that the offer still stands - ANYTHING you need help with, just let me know okay? That's not a for-courtesy's-sake thang, for real - ANYTHING, just holler or point and grunt or whatever :) I'm bringing seeds... seeds... seeds... some fresh Brug cuttings (not rooted), some "peat pot pellets", I'm in debate on whether I should bring any hostas or not? They are plain jane Hostas, no variegation, not blue - just solid green shade-lovers and not a name-known cultivar... but I see them listed by several folks so I'm not sure how redundant hostas would be to bring? I saw someone had listed Lyre-leaf Sage to bring... and I suddenly felt stupid. Is this a plant that others would like? I mean, not that I dislike the plant, not at all - but it grows wild on the five acres here and I end up cutting it with the bush hog when I'm mowing... I hadn't actually thought of cultivating it. Should I dig up some of those??? It's native here in TN, I just ASSuMEd that "everyone" had it popping up in their yards. Hermit

Here's a partial list of what I have available and plan to bring. A large number of the plants on my list are newly transplanted or are still smaller seedlings. They may require some tender care initially. Pot size may vary and could be as small as 1"x1"x2" cells all of the way up to 3 gallon sizes for certain plants. I've put down my best guess for pot sizes, but with so many plants it's hard to keep track of exact sizes. I am willing to split cell packs if you only need one or two plants from a multi-cell pack. Please view my "Want List" posted on this site to see what plants and supplies I'm hoping to trade for. I am in short supply of 1, 2, and 3+ gallon plastic pots. If you bring pots to trade, PLEASE make sure they are clean (ie- dirt/plant debris knocked out and no "critters")! Division or layered division = freshly dug, rooted plant (unless otherwise indicated) Agastache foeniculum [Anise Hyssop] 2" pots Alcea rosea [Hollyhock]- biennial, mixed colors, singles and doubles mostly pink, white, burgundy and pink/white bicolors plants. Will bring if time/space allows. Alcea rosea nigra [Black Hollyhock]- biennial, black single flower 2" pots Amaranthus "Early Splendor" 2" pots, 6-cell packs Amaranthus "Illumination" 2" pots, 6-cell packs Aristolochia fimbriata [Variegated Pipevine / Variegated Dutchman's Pipe] small plants in 2" pots Aristolochia trilobata [Calico Vine / Dutchman's Pipe] small plants in 2" pots Asarina scandens- mixed colors 2" pots & 3-cell packs Aster cordifolius "Wood's Blue" [NY Aster "Wood's Blue]- perennial, 12-16" tall, slowly spreading, fall blooming, gentian blue flowers with gold eye, sun, zones 5-8. 4" pots & 1 gallon pot Belamcanda chinensis [Blackberry Lily]. small plants in 3" pots Brachycome, Bravo Series, deep blue w/black eye 2" pots Briza maxima "Great Quaking Grass" 2" pots & 4" pots BRUGMANSIA: Depending on available space I may bring cuttings and/or potted plants. Possible cultivars are: Single, pink (noid) Named cultivars: Cotton Candy Frosty Pink Golden Lady Mountain Magic Buddleja davidii- [Butterfly Bush/Summer Lilac]- medium-dark purple. divided recently and potted (looks rough now but should recover fine)- 1-2 gallon pots Celosia spicata- [Princess Feather] dark pink & white flowers with burgundy foliage 2" pots and small plants in 6-cell packs Celosia spicata- [Princess Feather]- light pink/green foliage. Small seedlings in 6-cell packs Celosia [Cockscomb- burgundy] (large comb, 8"-10" tall plant) 2" pots, small 6-cell packs Cerinthe major purpurascens [aka Honeywort, Blue Shrimp Plant] 3" pots Cerinthe major purpurascens "Kiwi" [aka Honeywort, Blue Shrimp Plant] 3" pots Chasmanthium latifolium [Sea Oats] division- will only bring if arranged for in advance. Chrysanthemum "Clara Curtis"- hardy mum, peachy/pale pink 4" pots Coleus, Super Rainbow Series "Red Velvet" small plants in 2" pots Datura meteloides 'Belle Blanche' - solid white flowers, fragrant, dark blue-green foliage 2" pots Datura meteloides- double/triple purple (unnamed) 2" pots Datura meteloides- double yellow (unnamed) in small cells from 6-cell packs Datura meteloides "Purple Petticoats"- double purple with white interior, ruffled, in 2" pots Dianthus barbatus [Sweet William]- mix of burgundy, white, pink, red, bicolors in small 3-cell packs Echinacea purpurea [Purple Coneflower] from "Ruby Star" seed, 1 year old+ plants in quart pots- will only bring a couple of these. Echinacea purpurea [Purple Coneflower] from red/orange parent plant seed (similar to 'Sundown') very small seedlings in small cell packs Four OClocks- "Kaleidoscope"- Seeds only. Mixture of fuchsia, white, yellow spotted/swirled blooms that are quick & easy to grow from seed. Geranium, stellar (similar to 'Vancouver Centennial")- rooted cutting SPECIAL TRADE, 2" pot Helichrysum bracteatum [Strawflower]- pink, pink/white, yellow/gold (tall plants at maturity 5-7') 2" pots & 3-cell packs Hibiscus acetosella "Red Shield"- tender perennial/grow as annual. Burgundy foliage, red flowers 2" pots Hibiscus manihot (Sunset Hibiscus)- tender perennial/grow as annual. Edible, yellow flowers 2" pots HYDRANGEA: Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf"- plant (newly divided) in 1 & 2 gallon pots, will bring 1-2 of each size Hydrangea macrophylla, unknown vibrant blue mophead- (all sizes new layered divisions) 1 gallon & 2 gallon, will probably bring 1 of each size Hydrangea serrata 'Grayswood'- layer rooted division IOCHROMA: Iochroma cyaneum 'Royal Blue'- small rooted cutting/small potted plant SPECIAL TRADE IRIS, DWARF BEARDED:- If I have time to dig these I will bring them. Peach- divisions/rhizomes Yellow/White bicolor- divisions/rhizomes "Little Red Devil"- dark reddish-purple, early divisions/rhizomes IRIS, LOUISIANA: 'Black Gamecock'- blue-black with narrow gold line signal. division IRIS, SIBERIAN: Unknown (lost the name! but it MIGHT be "Rare Jewel") very pretty medium purple/violet, prolific bloomer, strong grower (this is NOT Caesars' Brother) 1 gallon pots (newly divided), 2 gallon pots (newly divided)- will probably bring one of each size Jasione laevis "Blue Light" from seed- perennial, spiky-globular blue flowers up to 24" ht., zone 6-9 small seedlings Kerria japonica [Kerria Shrub]- arching branches with double yellow flowers in spring 2 gallon pot, cuttings also available but will only bring if asked for in advance. Ledebouria socialis- [Silver Squill/Violet Squill]- houseplant division- will only bring if asked for in advance Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate' [Chocolate Mint]- 4" pots Mimosa pudica [Sensitive Plant] 3-cell packs MORNING GLORY: Scarlet O'hara - seeds only - quick germination and does well direct seeded in spring Star of Yelta - seeds only - quick germination and does well direct seeded in spring Variegated Japanese- seeds only- deep pink with white rim, strongly variegated green/white foliage; quick germination and does well direct seeded in spring Muhlenbergia capillaris [Pink/Purple Muhly Grass] from seed- potted plants in 3" pots or quart pots- may bring, but probably only if asked for in advance. Nigella "Miss Jekyll- Dark Blue" 3-cell packs- small plants Nepeta cataria [Catnip]- cuttings (easy to root) will only bring if asked. Nicotiana "Fragrant Cloud"- white flowers, very fragrant 3-cell packs Origanum vulgare- [Oregano] cuttings (easy to root)- will only bring if asked. Peony- (herbaceous) dark raspberry/pink, double, fragrant (25+ year old cultivar) potted plants- newly divided, 1 & 2 gallon sizes SPECIAL TRADE Pepper "Black Pearl" 2" pots, small 3-packs Salvia greggii [Texas Sage- red]- 4-5' annual, bright red flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. 2" pots Sedum spectabile- medium pink (unnamed) 1 gallon plant Sunflower (small yellow, multi-branching, 6') 6-cell packs Talinum paniculatum "Jewels of Opar" 2" pots Tomato "Brandywine" indeterminate, open pollinated, yellow/red fruit. small plants in 6-cell packs Tomato "Delicious" 77 days, determinate, medium red fruit. small plants in 6-cell packs Tomato "Green Zebra" indeterminate, open pollinated, green striped smaller green fruit, tangy. small plants in 6-cell packs Tomato "Homesweet" 70 days, determinate, very sweet red fruit. small plants in 6-cell packs Tomato- Large Pink (possibly Pink Brandywine) indeterminate, open pollinated, large pink beefsteak-type fruit. small plants in 6-cell packs Tomato "Thessaloniki" 70-75 days, indeterminate, resist sun scald & cracking. small plants in 6-cell packs Zinnia "Giant Doubles Mixed" 2" pots x 4 Zinnia "Royal Purple" 2" pots x 4

All the MTPS info (date, time and directions) and much, much more is on the website at: http://www.midtnplantswap.com/. You can even get the weather report on there too! Please register while you are there. The Middle Tennessee Plant Swap is Saturday, May 17th at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, TN. All these times are CST. Henry Horton State Park opens at 8:00 and that's when I'd like to see everyone show up. We need to have everybody set up by 9:30. I'll do my little dog-n-pony show for rules, procedures and new business at 9:30. We start swapping at 10:00 and go until noon. Pot-luck lunch is from 12:00-1:00. Mr. Holman will deliver his lecture on "Drought Tolerant Perennials and Annuals" as well as a Q & A session from 1:00-2:00... unless there is too much swooning and a riot ensues. From 2:00 until.... is the normal free-for-all where we are all trying to give away everything that we have left so we don't have to take it back home with us. If anyone has any questions just shoot me an email. Jeff