I think this one is spirea x vanhouttei and the other spirea nipponica... never would have gotten there without the genus, though. I'd been trying for ages. So thanks!

With such a wonderful mixture of peoples I think part of your job will become redundant pretty early as in having to organise their plantings of native crops, it'll probably just happen as a matter of course. Me thinks p'raps all you'll have to organise is the mixture of cultures when allotting the plots. I wonder if it would make for more interaction between the gardeners not to have different sections for different ethnic groups, rather allocate by a draw or something. What a wonderful idea, there's a different 'air' to people who get down to the soil and I daresay that all of us lose the cares of the world whether we're tending a pot or a plot. Best wishes for your project. Here is a link that might be useful: COGS

Don't be discouraged. The tool loss is, imo, much more annoying than the odd plant - I have a shed on my allotment or I would take my tools home. I have been gardening on a large shared site for 16 years - the most annoying thing was the year a bunch of local kids stripped all my (unripe) apples from my cordons - I honestly wouldn't have minded too much if they had been eaten but they had simply thrown them at each other. And there are all the usual gripes about weeds...but for me, it was my only chance to actually have some space - I have a minuscule home garden - so I put up with the irritants. And it can be nice to be convivial (although I am a surly grumpy sort). The more you invest in time and effort, the more you see the time gardening as more precious than the actual results...and the setbacks tend to appear more minimal and just part of the usual cycle of death, loss, rebirth that is so familiar to gardeners.

I have no first-hand knowledge of most of these groups, but here's what I find online: Garden Thyme Herb Society - no official contact info online. If you're interested, contact GardenWeb member evasage for more email. You should be able to email her through her GardenWeb member page. Eva's super nice and might also be able to tell you about other local groups. Ken-Ten Iris Association (Dresden, TN / Earnie Royal, president / 270-489-2819) - local American Iris Society group I can hardly believe that the Tri-Cities doesn't have an AIS club in that area, but it appears that this one is the closest. If you are into iris, you might consider starting a club in the Tri-Cities area. I bet there'd be plenty of interest. Mid-Appalachian Bonsai Kai (Kingsport / Anita Bausman at 423-239-7602) - local American Bonsai Society group Tri-Cities Daylily Society (Kingsport, TN / Dennis Hall, president at 423-288-7040) - local American Hemerocallis Society group Shady Oaks Garden Club (Johnson City, TN / Cindy Hintz at 423-282-9106) _________________________ I didn't see any local groups associated with these groups, but you might consider starting one: African Violet Society of America American Daffodil Society American Hosta Society American Rose Society Cactus and Succulent Society of America wildflower groups _________________________ There are also other groups that are somewhat associated with plants and gardening, like: Bays Mountain Park Association Bristol Bird Club Friends of Roan Mountain _________________________ And, of course, you are cordially invited to attend the East Tennessee Plant Swaps. Look for info in this GardenWeb Forum closer to swap time (usually one in spring and one in fall).