April 16 - NC Coastal Federation, Newport NC More info: www.nccoast.org NC Coast - Morehead City/Jacksonville/Newport area

Suzi, the closest freeway is the 210 which runs thru northern Claremont, near the RSABG. The 10 runs thru south Claremont and is also a convenient way to get to the botanic gardens. Kermit, GNN Claremont does have its own propagator (Antonio Sanchez) but they also order and sell plants from other nurseries such as Suncrest (great for Rosa minutifolia, one of my favorite roses, and also for the blue curls cultivar Midnight Magic), El Nativo Growers, Native Sons, Moosa Creek, etc. Just this past week I was at the nursery and bought some bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' and white California poppies grown by Native Sons as well as a ceanothus 'Diamond Heights' grown by El Nativo, Melica californica grown by Suncrest, seacliff buckwheat and sea dahlia grown by Moosa Creek plus monkey flowers, creeping wild rye, and another Saliva dorrii Gayle Nielson grown by RSABG. Ordered thru RSABG 5 one gallon size of Salvia 'Celestial Blue' (this one along with S. namaensis, S. melissodora, and S. Teresa are the most prolific bloomers in my garden). Moosa Creek has them in stock, so I expect that is where they will get them. I sure wouldn't mind seeing even more goodies available, particularly in salvias.;) The one I want most that I don't already have is Salvia mohavensis. Btw, I don't think RSABG toots its own horn enough--lots of scientists there, and horn-tooting doesn't appear to be in their genes!;) I'm just a happy member of the garden (certainly no scientist), love to grow native plants, and will gladly tell others about my experiences. Melissa

Are the cooperative extension folks also planning to sell named Pawpaws? I would love to see Native fruit trees availability through extension as they reach more people in each county.

Please join us for the 9th annual NC pawpaw festival which will be held Saturday August the 27th from 10 - 1. The location is 1450 Fairchild road in Winston-Salem, NC This is a free event and food will be available as long as it lasts all made with pawpaw. Pawpaw orchard tours will be given. Vendors will have pawpaw fruit and trees for sale as well as other edible and ornamental plants. Chef and writer Sara Bir from Ohio will be giving a lecture on fruit processing. Other lectures are planned. A local chef will be giving cooking demonstrations with pawpaw and children can learn about local butterflies. Please join us!