But in order to let them set seed, they are going to go through the ratty looking stage. One thing to do is to cut the spikes down gradually as the stalks gradually finish blooming and just leave a little of the blossoms at the bottom to set seed. Or cut them off completely and buy new plants every year and treat them like an annual. Or grow your own from seed. If you cut them off completely and don't let them set seed, you remind them they are a type of perennial (biennial) and they are more likely to come back and rebloom a second year. At least that's what I read and it seems to be true. I cut the stalks back gradually last year and didn't let it set seed and then just bought a packet of seeds to sow in another bed I keep for lettuce. They sprout like crazy. I think my garden is too heavily mulched too in order for them to sprout, but they seem to be easy to grow. I'm going to do what buford does and transplant them where I want them from the seed I sowed. I just buy my seed rather than letting them seed because I don't like the ratty looking stalks. Maybe next year I'll have more plants and can let some of them look ratty to set seed. Hope that helps a little too.

Kate... I agree about Double Delight, but mine gets crisped during the summer months ... dang it. Karolina11 .... I inherited a few HTs when I purchased my home, but live in zone 8a, so I can't tell you if they are cold hardy enogh for you. I have fallen in love with one of the HTs that the previous owner of my home planted which I have tentatively identified as 'Tournament of Roses" HTs are often dissed for being disease prone, but in my climate in the mountains of northern California they are clean and prolific roses. I thought I would never grow any roses of the HT class, but I can tell you, when they are happy, they are beautiful plants with beautiful blooms. No wonder people liked them ! In southern California, I grew First Prize and it was never happy and was a real dawg of a rose. Seems like I had to learn the lesson that not all roses thrive in all climates all over again when I moved up here. Smiles, Lyn

Wow, that is a really nice assortment of items! I love the fabrics and the ruler looks like it will be fun to use. The thread is a nice assortment of neutral colors too. Have fun with all your new goodies. Linda OH

I have three Ginkgos. None of them are as nice as yours. The smallest was started by a cutting. I was surprised it worked. It's still an infant, and is just now figuring which way is up. It's in a sheltered damp spot and has all it's bright yellow leaves. One of the others is on a high, open spot. It lost it's leaves in the storm we had a couple of days ago. Not many leaves ended up under the tree where sometimes can make a good picture. The last one loses it's leaves in threes. Always does, every year. First to go is the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third. It's on a small hill in a valley. Cold air drains there. Yours is a real specimen among specimens. Mike