I see that some people in this thread mentioned using Pentas for a Cottagey feel in a Florida garden, but I think one key to getting Pentas to work is to get the non-dwarfed varieties. As England's Alan Titchmarsh mentioned in one of his specials, "A Cottage Garden should be billowing, blousy and a bubbling froth of flowers." You don't get this from the dwarfed varieties foud in the big box stores. You need the 3-4 ft vaieties which I mostly see at plant fairs and sales. The Lake County demonstration gardens, Discovery Gardens, has an example Cottage Garden section. I will have to swing down there again for some pictures and names, but the stuff they had planted you just don't find at your average nursery, much less the big box stores.

Just an update on Bella Anna... You can still find a few nurseries carrying these as growers still seem to be producing them. And, the product still has its own page hidden on ES's website. But, the product is no longer shown alongside its ES brethren or acknowledged in its product listing. So I guess we can assume it's getting the axe, a.k.a. dropped from the product line. Personal observations over the last 3+ years are that: 1. The plant does not grow as fast as Annabelle. New shoots from the ground are several inches shorter. 2. The blooms are not quite as large (overall) as Annabelle. 3. Old wood stems are not much sturdier than new wood. Old wood with new shoots will fall to the ground under the weight of the new shoots (minus blooms). 4. New shoots coming from old wood will randomly die off throughout the growing season. 5. Nursery specimens have looked leggy and disheveled, which doesn't make the consumer want to buy it. Dr. Mike Dirr's commented in his recent paper about breeding, selection and marketing simply that is has "stems that do not support the inflorescences." My conclusion is that what the folks at ES probably agreed on: There really is no pink Annabelle.

Good morning. i just spoke with Anna and she said the Pet scan showed a "spot" on her spine that could possibly be from trauma to her spine in the past, which she can't recall having. She has an appointment for an MRI and a bone density test on April 2nd. She will see the oncologist again on April 17th but will start the pill form of chemo now. The way I see it is that she's not quite out of the woods....yet. I so appreciate the care, prayers and support of my "friends on the forum". Thank you so very much. jude

Thanks you guys! We're doing well. Always busy, and always something going on. I'm still employed by a large company during a 5500 cutback. In fact, busier than ever. When I hear about all these companies cutting back, I count my blessings that I have a great job with good benefits. We have a Plan B for when the time comes, and I'm glad it doesn't have to be in the forefront of my mind. DH is almost a second year resident. He is finishing his intern year by spending a rotation with his dad. It has been a great month for both of them to spend time together. DH has a bedside manner very similar to his father's, and I'm glad that he's had the opportunity to spend more time watching him practice medicine. They are both wonderful, caring physicians, and I'm glad they are both a part of my life. In July, DH starts concentrating on neurology, and he's very excited to spend time learning more about his favorite area of medicine. Three more years to go until private practice. Jacob is five and a half, and has graduated from pre-K. He's spending the summer at a day camp, and has aged 2 years in the past 2 weeks. I think it's because he is surrounded by older kids. He's maturing, and I love watching him grow into a school aged kid now. I love the things that excite him and watching him interact with Tyler. He's always had some reflux problems, and they've been escalating lately (vomiting, breathing problems, and lots of pain). We are scheduled for an endoscopy soon, and hopefully we'll get some answers and a long term plan. He's a very, very smart kid, and always keeps me busy with questions and finding the answers. His recent interest is the weather, and each night we watch the radar, look at patterns, and discuss the conditions for a proper tornado. He starts kindergarten in the fall, and we are all very excited. Tyler just turned three, and has started outgrowing the baby feel that he's carried around for a while. Tyler is on the small side and his speech is slightly delayed, but a perfectly healthy three year old. He's cute as a button, but still felt baby-ish. Not that I mind; he's fun to snuggle with. With some speech therapy, he has blossomed. He is more intelligible, and now we are working on some language comprehension. Potty training is on the back burner, as I refuse to make it a battle. Potties and underwear are plentiful in our house when he decides to no longer use his pants :) He's adventurous and loves imitating his big brother. We've spent the summer going to the pool, participating in summer reading at the library, and taking day trips to smaller Indiana towns. We had planned to go to Destin, FL in July, but those plans are on hold pending the oil spill migration to that area. We'll either make last minute reservations or we'll head north to Lake Michigan. Sorry for the novel, but I thought an update was in order :) Thanks for the birthday wishes!