Hmmm. I've never in my life deadheaded Portulaca (Moss rose)and it never occured to me. I've found that they need a larger than usual amount of fertilizer to keep the productive, and of course, plenty of sunlight. Alyssum can be cut back rather heavily once it is done flowering and it will bloom again. But, other than that, I've never deadheaded that either. Too much moisture and too little sunlight could be part of the problem.

Yes, they are both commonly called Bleeding Hearts, the second is a Clerodendrum thomsoniae. I have some that you well and truly can not kill. You can dig up one little bitty sprig of a root and stick it in the ground someplace else in rainy season and it will regrow. Mine froze back to the ground; well except the one that ended up sharing covers with the tomato. They will come back; give them a bit more warm weather. You can really prune them anytime you like. When they get too big and lanky, after a freeze. I pruned mine back to 6". I love the first Bleeding Hearts, it is a Dicentra. For me, it was a winter annual in South Florida. Have not tried it up here in Central Florida. ~dianne Here is a link that might be useful: Clerodendrum - Bleeding Hearts

great answer mom ... i will add ... blueness is a waxy coating... at least half if not more hosta ... even if not blue.. have a waxy coating ... that wax is variable over the season ... depending on many variables which would affect wax.. heat.. sun .. water abuse.. etc ... boy.. now that i think about it.. this lesson could go on for pages .. then you have genetics .... you can have hosta that come up totally green .. and a center develops later in the season ... and those that come up with a center.. and totally green later in the season ... and every derivation in between .... IF IT WERE ME ... i would like the ever changing aspect of a potted plant ... a great plant for changing .. try gold standard at the link .... from green.. to yellow centered.. to near parchment center by late summer ... truly a bullet proof plant.. that will multiply like rabbits and be a spot light in your garden ... as for slugs... check the FAQ's .... the remedy is prevention [???... lol] ... and can be a simple as 10% vinegar or ammonia sprayed on the undersides of the plant every once in a while .. to kill the buggers ... if the pot has prior problems.. i would empty it.. sterilize it [10% bleach] .. and start with fresh soil .... BTW.. what happened to torchlight.. slugs never kill a hosta.. they just make it ugly .... of course .. there are a multitude of commercial products to kill slugs ... good luck ken PS: though wayside puts out a glorious catalog.. we can refer you to a multitude of hosta sellers who can provide thousands of choices.. rather than the 20 or 30 they offer.. and most likely .. for half the price ... PPS: zowie.. try Paradigm at the hosta library ... probably one of the most slug resistant hosta you can get.. very thick leaved .... and great late season yellow color ... some say brass or GOLD ... why fool with yellow.. if you can achieve gold .... Here is a link that might be useful: hosta library ....

i am with ann and diana on this one. i "stalk" whatever my partner has written and then of course i fret over what to get and worry the whole step of the way, but so far, so good, at least from the feedback i've gotten. i've been in two swaps so far and have so enjoyed the items that have been sent to me and they are items constantly in use, which is even better. i just love the theme of this one - it's my favorite things that my partner will be getting and the funny thing is, some of my favorite things just might be my partner's. i not only love the things i receive, but seeing and hearing about what everyone else gets too is just so neat. maryanne