Misery loves company! I've been hand picking (with a tweezer) these little B%*#^@&s for a few weeks now, drowning them in a cup of water. They destroy the buds either deforming or eliminating the blooms. I believe this is the culprit, Pyrausta signatalis-monarda/horsemint caterpillar: Someone had posted a link for me last year about this critter, and there isn't alot of info on it, but I'm 99.9% positive it's this guy. Whenever I see the moth, I've been smashing it, usually when it lands on a leaf. So far, this years damage has been extensive on my "Jacob Cline", but they're moving on to the "Marshall's Delight", which just started blooming for me. They didn't bother with the "Blue Stocking" or "Claire Grace", which bloom later than the first two for me. Good luck ;) Tracey

Hi Marcia and the group, the link you posted was very good! I also checked out the authors (Tim Doyle) web site, it is very good as well with lot's of wildlife photography shot around his house. Definitely worth a look. Here is a link that might be useful: Wildlife Theater by Tim Doyle

I can't answer about the spruce trees but I have a half dozen large Rose of Sharons in my yard that are currently covered in blooms. The hummingbirds are all over them all the time to the point of ignoring the feeders that are nearby.

Kay, I'm sure if you Bookmark that site you'll be able to come back to it over and over. I don't imagine he'll take it down any time soon. I just showed the pictures to my co-workers, who were enchanted with them.