DH says I'm a collector. In the next breath he says I'm a tryer. The latter is probably closer to the truth because I am always trying the next perennial. Going through the mail order catalogues is like "oh, I want to try that and that and that" on every page. I try a lot of annuals too for color and for the pots. In the favorites categories (the things which I keep and add more of) hydrangeas lilies of any kind daylilies salvias of any kind coneflowers and their relatives lavendar - not the easiest thing to grow in the south hibiscus mallows iris Garden phlox used to be on this list, but they've simply turned black and died since I moved to NC - maybe there is a NC only variety or something. Companion plants for the roses are primarily lilies and Walker's Low, but there are also coneflowers, guaras, veronicas and salvias. I'll plant anything that attracts butterflies and hummers, so there is a big chunk of the garden plantings that are not so much about garden design as about feeding the little beauties. There are the bushes I've planted as habitat and food for the birds - my current enthusiasm is winterberries. Have you ever seen "hearts a burstin'" when it sets seed? I have a big shade garden too: heuchera, hostas, hydrangeas, solomon's seal, various ground covers, tiarellas....the whole shade thing. If it says it will do well in the shade I try one. ceterum - there are lilacs that are said to do well in the south in the US, perhaps they would do well for you. The one I planted is Miss Kim, she was sooo beautiful this spring. harryshoe - that looks like a black and blue salvia, but I've always been told they are only hardy to zone 7b or so. Truly incredible picture with the hummingbird. I grow the salvias as much for the hummers as for myself and I am absolutely in love with the black blue salvias. I'm trying to get one of the so-called hardy fuscias to live long enough to be put in the ground - they delight in dying in the pot to taunt me.

I have a very distinct memory of my first encounter with lilacs as a child in the Bronx. I was holding my mother's hand either walking to school or on a daily shopping trip when I was drawn by the scent of a bunch of cut lilac limbs set in a big brass pail out on the sidewalk in front of the florist. The scent of lilacs evokes this memory to this day. I love having them in my garden and bringing cuttings into the house. Someday I need to get a big brass bucket to put them in. Isn't it lovely how even seemingly inconsequential and mundane things can be momentous?

See: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/working-and-playing-with-plants-helps-st-louisans-cope-with/article_2cf045a4-afca-50ec-9088-6f5a603bb5f6.html

So pretty! I had to laugh at your comment, lyanna. People often do tune out on me when I start in on roses. Every once in a while, someone’s interested. Maybe they’re just being polite, I don’t know. Noseo, I adore your bobcat family photo! How amazing they must have been to see. It’s been many years since I’ve seen one around here, not since I was a child. Rosefolly, I always detect a wonderful scent from Annie Laurie McDowell, and I don’t have the best sniffer. I’m looking forward to planting out the ALMD that Kim budded for me onto Pink Clouds. I’m making sure my battle with Dr. Huey is over in her spot first. I think I may have gotten rid of him for good this time. I just want to be sure, as it will be so much harder once ALMD is there. I don’t want anything happening to that precious rose! By the way, I looked it up, and found that 10% of people actually like the scent of skunk! I guess I’m not the only one. Today, I’m smelling Baronne Prevost. She’s not quite as strong as my Bourbon roses, but still strong and wonderful. Lisa