I have to add that although I can't wait for all this snow to melt, I'm quite happy about the forced time-out. You see, I enjoy reading threads on GardenWeb, and one comment published a few weeks (months?) ago really inspired me to completely rethink a large garden bed that I was planning to build this Spring. It was about planting your garden so that it looks great from within your house. The idea (almost) blew my mind. Why did I not think/read about this before? I thought it was very relevant for areas with long winters such as ours because we can only enjoy it from the outside 6 months/year. There is so much snow in winter that we would need snowshoes to walk in the garden. So I thought about how to add winter color where I was planning to plant masses of perennials. As a result, my plan is now completely different from the original. I will instead add conifers with different shades of blues, greens & yellows, tall enough that we see them above the snow line. We're going to enjoy our garden so much more this way! And I'll plant my dreamy drifts of perennials elsewhere... :)

Oklahoma is plagued by many pests. For instance I have lost almost all of my roses over the years due to the Rose Rosette virus. Lost another one last year as a matter of fact. Now here comes my AH HA! moment as related to the topic at hand. I read further yesterday about the mite that carries the virus of the Echinacea (as opposed to the Aster Yellows virus which is carried by leafhoppers not mites). I found it was the same Eriophyid mite which carries the RRV (rose rosette virus) that has decimated my roses. This Echinacea will immediately go into a trash bag for disposal. Now that it has the virus any uninfected mites that follow will pick it up and spread the virus even further around the neighborhood. I'm sorry to loose the Echinacea, but as a sad side note, for me it was interesting to find out this new bit of information.......Thanks for everyone's comment. It's a shame Debra, because it's such a good combination for those that can grow it....................Maryl

deannatoby I'm in central Oklahoma & we are close to the northern limits of their hardiness range. Cross the border from Oklahoma to Kansas and you are really at the limits of their range. Usually they do fine but if conditions are such that an arctic deadly freeze comes after a warm fall with no gradual hardening off period, they can suffer damage. In my whole life I only remember that one time they died all the way to the ground and some died completely. In Kansas, close to the southern border, that happens more often so you can grow one for several years and then, wham, one bad winter can do it in. My sister who lives in Wellington close to the S. border gave up on them as unreliable. Here its one of the most common shrubs around, seems like every yard, park and median has them because they are so drought hardy, do so well in intense heat and have such a long bloom period + the fall color. Its kind of hard to believe they actually die because if you've ever tried to get rid of one, you know how tenaciously the roots persist. I've been trying to get rid of one for 4 years now and I'm still dealing with root suckers. When you cut a large one down you often end up with a whole lawn full of suckers.

Love your canna trolly popmama! That was a very smart thing to make! I wasn't aware that canna's could be overwintered in the garage. I thought that was too cold. They are sun lovers too, aren't they? Popmama, I feel like my neighbors must think I am crazy. They must wonder how I can spend so much time in the front garden (which is getting bigger) and wonder how I could possibly be taking pictures (again) of plants! I think you are very dedicated to your canna's and I understand perfectly your moving them in and out of the garage! Nicholsworth, I just noticed Hush Puppie beginning to sprout in my garage. (I had a talking to it. I said "what are you thinking!!!! It's freezing outside! Stop growing!" In regards to your hosta that are showing signs of life, I would hold back on watering unless you know for sure they are dry. Some of mine have several inches of growth, and I have not watered any one of them! Nicholsworth, that is quite a limb that fell. I am glad you had minimal damage. Nicholsworth, I don't know what to say about your canna and elephant ears showing life. My mother-in-law used to say "where there is a will, there is a way." I really didn't like her saying it at the time. I am sure you will find a way to deal with your plants. My elephant ears were bare rooted. I hope they are not awake as yet. I had better go and check . . .