nc-crn: yeah, that's always happened to my ladybugs but this year I'm making a concerted effort to have year round planting of plants to keep them around. It might take me another year or so of purchases, but we'll see. I'll let you know. You are one GW member whose words are highly respected by me -- there's other members, but you're one of the ones at the top. By the way, I may have actually turned the corner a bit on building my insectary. There's actually been many sightings of ladybugs this season and I didn't purchase them. I live in a suburban subdivision so i guess one of my neighbors could have released some. I just know that none of my neighbors NEARBY would have a reason to release some. Everybody around me has either lawns or rock and drought tolerant natives growing. Thanks. Kevin

Many Rudbeckias aren't perennials. I ordered seeds this year from Thompson-Morgan. Several varieties are listed as annuals or hardy annuals, etc. It depends on the cultivar. I'm growing "Henry Eilers" now. It's supposed to be a true perennial. I'd look on Thompson-Morgan's site and see if you have one of the less hardy Rudbeckias.

I live in your area, Brizzie, and I can tell you that by and large, Heathen is correct. But once your sage gets going, it can take quite a bit of water and humidity (it has to, here in the subtropics!) - just make sure you give it excellent drainage - it absolutely will not tolerate constantly wet feet. I suggest you build up a mound, and plant it on top of the hill to accommodate those torrential summer downfalls. Don't allow the soil to dry out completely, but make sure it's not soggy. Certainly, it will do better in poorer soil, so don't feed it for at least another year. If you have other Mediterranean herbs like thyme, rosemary, santolina, lavender, treat them in the same way. These are all fairly slow to take off, especially in their first year. Also make sure not to crowd them up too much. In our humidity, they need a bit of air circulation. If your plant is still very small, you might need to protect it from the fierceness of our summer sun a little. Just in its first year, until it toughens up a bit. Once it's up and running and past the infancy stage, it'll take the hottest afternoon sun we can give it.

well i'm here, i check everyday and haven't seen many posting either, i thought to myself, maybe these people don't like me and they don't want me to post. it is cold here still in northern canada, the buds are just coming out on the trees. i was going to have a get to gether for Al last year in our backyard, we have this massive apple tree that was his pride and joy, do you know that there wasn't one apply on that tree, it was like the tree knew Al wasn't there, so we didn't have the memorial service. i am still going through the house -- i guess spring cleaning, and donating things. i still am not sleeping well atr night and read till about 3 or 4 in the morning so i sleep until 3-4 in the afternoon, so my schedule is not there anymore. i think i might still be playing catchup, Al was an early riser and me being his caregiver, i think took alot out of me. my car broke down on may 23, our son's 25th birthday, so i ended up getting a new starter, good thing it was still under warranty, but it still almost cost 100.00. to top it off, when the tow truck took my car to the garage, and i phoned to see if it was ready, they couldn't find my car (lol-it's a neon i was hoping someone stole it, but no luck). i got my hair cut and coloured, too feel more human, and i am making myself put on makeup everyday. i have even started knitting again, but i am still so lost. enjoy the day, i'm going to tend to my pernnials that have been neglected for afew years. debbie