Sandy, I have to second the Marvelous Weekend. It was so much fun meeting you, Susan, Linda and Marilyn, not to mention buying plants, exchanging plants, etc. On the way home DH and I stopped at the Scenic Lookouts in the Arbuckles and what should appear but bunches of Painted Ladies, a couple of Swallowtails that wouldn't let me get close enough to identify (they were dark) and numerous Sulfurs. Sunday, I spent the day playing in the dirt with all my new plants (man, am I tired and sore today). Saw my first Pearly Crescent, possible American Snout siting and of course several more Painted Ladies. Also, saw Hummingbird moth(s) (not sure if it was the same one in different places in the yard or different ones as it was at different times) I've always enjoyed the henbit in the spring but this year has convinced me that it will not be mowed down until it quits blooming as that is where most of the butterflies were). Hope everybody's spring starts out just as great. Linda, Sandy, Susan, Thanks for a memorable Saturday. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with you ladies. Ms. Faith

Maryl - I've only had two blooms on Lake Tahoe Autumn so far. I love the bloom, but I have no idea about plant habits here yet. The first day it bloomed the weather was cool. Today it was a humid 91 degrees, and the color held pretty well. It did fade a bit, but the bloom, which has thick substance, was still colorful and pretty at 7 p.m. I think it will do even better keeping it's color when it's out of a pot and in the ground. I will say the bloom held up better than the other new Trimmer late I got this spring, Wild Apple Autumn. Debra

Today's pics. This will NEVER see a freeze. If I have to cover it every year for 0-3(some years are frost free) or 4 nights.. I will. And even heat if need be. The rock protects it from girdling,cats,garden tools and helps to keep the young tree steady...radiates heat too. They are worth every effort.

Had the pleasure of a guest from this forum to my house today. Lycheeluva and I did an extensive walk thru the yard checking for new developments.....especially on the lychee front. It looks like the rest of the mangoes that have not bloomed, are almost all beginning to push their annual buds. Yes, even the miraculous Chou Anon is going to now bloom. There's no point in deliniating any further between the next to bloom. The late varieties such as Keitt, Neelum, Kent and even Valencia Pride haven't begun pushing bloom as of yet, but they will be shortly. I am also awaiting bloom on a couple of mango seedlings that I have never had fruit from. Mangoes survived the freeze very well here and we should have a very heavy crop (barring any more ridiculous Arctic oscillations). As trees set their crops I'll post pictures.