At this point no suggestion is ludicrous, although I don't think that it's Angelica or Eryngium alpinum. It's growth has stayed very compact and it hasn't flowered at all. The leaves are shiny and leathery, but not as tough and leathery as a hellebore. I've sent off pictures of the plant to several other plant i.d. forums and to other Master Gardeners and no one so far has been able to identify it. I even took it with me to our Fall Plant Sale yesterday in the hopes that seeing it in person (in plant?) might help, but no one has come up with an i.d.

Thanks, everyone. Sherry, I wasn't planning on bringing in any eggs, but I'll do that, just in case. Yes, the weather this spring is bizarre. I've read that the cycle of the arctic lows is going to continue through the month of May--so must prepare for warm-cold cycles and lots of moisture each week. I am so behind in getting the gardens planted and cleaned up. I still haven't pruned the buddleias. Right now, it's scheduled for tomorrow--have a former student, now grown up, coming to help me. I had him in 2nd and 3rd grade. He's working to earn money for a DSLR, so I can identify with wanting a good camera. Had to wait for his days off from his full-time job. Sandy

"I'll never be like that because I can stop anytime I want". They always say the first sign of addiction is denial. I remember when a friend whose garden was growing in size said the same thing. A few years later when I still had some control myself I reminded them of what they said. And was told to read her lips. And she said I said anytime I want and I don't want too. That is my boat now. My family and even friends wonder why I spend so much time gardening but also appreciate the produce they get. Of course this year my sister is beginning to wonder when the tomatoes will start coming. Another sign is when you can't wait to check the mailbox to see if a new catalog has arrived. But when someone says something about you receiving so many you say I can't figure out how I got on all of those lists. But just let them throw away one of the 20 plus and you'll notice it before you turn in to sleep. And the seed companies are like the people selling Christmas goodies. Start earlier every year. Now we can blame them for keeping our addiction growing. And then when they why weren't you at the wedding you were invited too and you say oh I didn't feel like going. When the truth is you wanted to take advantage of the nice fall day and spend it in the garden. And then when they say you were seen in the garden you reply I just went out to check on it and time got away. It is nice to be around a bunch of fellow addicts. Because we all need company and a non addict can never understand. Jay

The black dots were caterpillar poop. The buds didn't open because the caterpillars destroyed them. This year, watch closel -- very closely -- for damage. The baby caterpillars take on the color of the flower buds, so are difficult to see. Once you find them, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) regularly according to directions.