The white peony is prettier than the pic, the angle and the sun were not right. It was labeled 'Primevere', but I'm not sure that is right. Chelone, I don't have an old fashioned Festiva maxima, but would like to have one. I had some in Idaho. I do have another double white variety, but it has no flecks. Here is the single that is blooming for me now : I really like these.The stamens get a lot more prominent, more like a mophead, only with stamens instead of petals. They do not get to looking like soggy rags when it rains. I thought that I have Bowl of Beauty,but if I do, it isn't blooming yet. It just may be one that the blasted voles has eaten the roots! That is apparently what happened to the Molly that Eileen sent me. I waited and waited for a sign of growth, and when it didn't appear I dug up the root...only there was no root left! It is beginning to look like the varmints are winning! You may be right about the skunk, but I haven't detected any skunk odor when the digging is going on. The is another batch of holes all across the front of our front flowerbeds and front porch this morning, and out into the yard. We do have armadillos. Kathy, I am sorry that you had to give up on growing Peonies. I had the same problem with Rhubarb. It grew great in Idaho, but I can't get it to do well here. I have been reading lots of favorable reports on Diamond Frost Euphorbia. I bought one before I had read about it. Here is a pic of it planted in a combo with my very first Strobilanthes: I'd like to get more of them if they are still available at the local nurseries or plant places. We have gone back to more seasonal temps. It was the mid to low 40s the past two mornings, and possibly lower tomorrow, but not frost...thank goodness. I have all my tender stuff out on the deck, and do not plan on bringing it back in !

Actually, I must continue to disagree as well:-) I don't think you are aware of the facts behind this technology nor how rapidly it is progressing and becoming commonplace. Seattle is by no means on the forefront of green roof activity - we are well behind Portland and Vancouver BC in this regard - but the real hotbed of activity is in the midwest. Chicago has more green roofs than any other US city - over 200 and covering more than 2.5 million square feet. Dearborn, MI has the largest, 10.4 acres covering the Ford Motor Company truck plant. Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Raleigh NC, Atlanta, New York City and Toronto are all very active green roof areas as well. And then of course there are the dozens of green roofs scattered across California, both commercial and residential. This is not an isolated movement nor is it a flash in the pan technology. Modern green roofs have at least a 30 year history in this country. There is a very active and increasingly growing community of architects and contractors specializing in this approach and scores of companies dedicated to the technology and materials to build and plant living roofs - a simple search through Google will turn up literally hundreds of them. One of the incentives that stir this on is the same you claim to be a deterrent - the downturn in the economy has made it even more appropriate to pursue this technology. Initial costs may be higher to design and install a living roof compared to a conventional roofing system, but this is easily offset by the extended lifespan, the lower maintenance and the energy savings realized over the life of the structure - an investment in a living roof actually saves money.

George just emailed me a massive list of seeds he is sending. I hope they get here on time! Cross your fingers. Now, I don't know how you all would like to deal with this. I can list the seeds here and we can have members speak up for what they would like to have. OR, we can split the packets into a few door prizes. It's up to you all! Seeds George is Sending to GW Spring Fling 2013 Empereur Alexandre Cuke, Baker Creek Delicious 51, Baker Creek ��" cantaloupe Collective Farm Woman, Cantaloupe ��" Baker Creek Old Timey Cornfield Pumpkin ��" 2009 seed Organic Multicolor Popcorn ��" probably Baker Creek Squash: Black Futsui ��" Baker Creek Crystal Apple Cucumber ��" Sustainable Seed Company Pipian from Tuxpan ��" c. argyrosperma grown for its seed. (Baker Creek) Angled Luffa ��" 2009 (one pkt) Evans Sweet Cantaloupe ��" green fleshed, developed in Oklahoma by Dr. John Wyche. Two packets. Black Jungle Butterbean ��" 2009 (1 pkt) http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/legumes/msg051013024705.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/legumes/msg0516190620005.html Kentucky Red Cowpea 2011 seed ��" 1 large pkt. Received at Gardenweb, Oklahoma forum spring fling in 2008, from Pauline Kincaid. Seed is brick red and flattened, much like a very small lima bean. Plants are vigorous, but not too inclined to climb. Pods are thick. White Cushaw 2012 seed ��" Rampant vines, very heat and drought resistant. Large, 20 lb. crook necked, fruit Moon & Stars Watermelon (white seeded) 2006 seed. ��" Should still grow. Extremely rare heirloom. Mesquakie Indian Corn ��" mix of 2007-2012 seed, Very colorful, hardy corn. Quite well adapted to our Oklahoma conditions. A dent corn, tending toward flint. Good for cornmeal. Woods Mountain Crazy Bean 2011 seed ��" Bush bean. Very well adapted to our hot conditions. Heirloom from the Fayetteville, AR area. Pods have strings, but are quite tender. High producer. There are NO commercial sources for this valuable seed. Georgia Long Cowpea 2007 seed ��" Yardlong. Heat resistant. Good for snaps. Needs poles as it has very long vines. I’ve had this seed germinate after over 10 years in an unrefrigerated jar. I received my seed in the 1980s from Virgil and Hazel Johnson of Liberty, MO; who in turn received their seed from Faxon Stinnet of Vian Oklahoma. Cooper’s Running Snap 2009 seed ��" pole bean. Heat resistant. Similar to Rattlesnake. Should be given 1’ space between plants. Heavy producer. Not a stringed bean. Similar to Kentucky Wonder in pod quality. Okra: Heavy Hitter 2012 seed (3 pkts) ��" New variety developed by Ron Cook of Moodys, OK. This is a branching okra, similar to Stewarts Zeebest, but with pods more like Clemson Spineless. Calico Willow leaf Pole Lima Jo

I'm sorry, Beth, I think I must have missed a post somewhere regarding your loss (when was this?). You have my sympathy. I am glad for you though that you got to see family memebers you miss. That is a very good idea that you get together next year, just for a get-together, rather than for a funeral or wedding. It was a few months ago that an aunt of mine passed away and although it was sad, it was also good to get together with family. It was also good to find out about some health issues that several people had that seem to run in the family. My DH mom's side of the family is so good about having a Fletcher reunion each summer on the Sat. before July 4. That way everyone knows when it is and can plan on attending from where ever they are. My Mom-in-marriage was one of 11 children and I think it is absolutely wonderful that normally they all get together. She was the first of the siblings to pass away, which really hit the others hard as she had been the best of friends to most of them as well as sort of the bedrock of the family. It is a shame that it takes something like that to wake people up, so that they will try to make up and renew their relationships. . . If there is someone in your family that you have quarreled with, make it a point to make a difference and try to make up, not just for your wellbeing, but also for them and the rest of the family. How many of us would ache if still have a grudge with someone and something were to happen tomorrow so that we could never even try to make things right?