Mary, I agree with Susan, you must be one great gardener! I discovered two more very tiny variegata sprouts. The good news is that the Purple MW that the gopher got last year and almost destroyed is coming back! I took the remnants of the plant that he had drug down into the soil and planted them in two pots. The two pots are sprouting. I was so nervous that I might lose this plant that was so beautiful last year. I will put window screening in a deep hole and replant the Purple MW. I saw Mary Ann at a sale here in Tulsa yesterday. She planted some more variegata this year, but apparently it has yet to sprout. So I'm on the list and will send her an email to keep in touch. I hope to get to go back this year. Susan, hooray for the clematitis returning!! Mine seems to be so hardy; however, it has yet to make an appearance this year. But, I'm sure it will. I have had a lot of seed pods the last two years. But, this is one of those plants that is tricky to germinate. It needs two cold periods - which makes me think it takes two years in the wild to germinate. I'll be putting the seeds back in the fridge in a couple of weeks. I have had success with germination and growing this plant. It just takes lots of patience. Wish I could say I'm successful at growing variegata! The gophers are already busy, as are the moles. So, I will be planting some Castor bean plants in the garden in hopes that it will repel them. Susan, we need to plan a trip to Pine Ridge to see Mary Ann this summer. Maybe we can meet up with others from the area. Sandy

Hello Crenda and the gang, I am thinking of making some of these myself, I'm pretty sure these stumps will last yearsssss... The guy told me he's had some over 10 years and no sign of wearing out, I think we can say they are tough enough for the job lol ð I think you could leave it in the ground & drill holes coning out of the side and it would be around for a long time. Sugi, the prices were not that bad as tou can see some price tags on some of them including the plant was like $30. - $40. U.S DOLLARS. Wantonamara, definitely better than the landfills and they said a lot of character. Greg

That reminds me of a joke about some newlyweds having the family over for dinner. Ham was on the menu. The bride cut one end off the ham and put it in a roasting pan. The groom asked why she cut the end off. She said Mama always did that. During dinner the groom asked his MIL why. She said, "Mama always did. He looked at his GMIL and asked why she cut the end off. She said, "I didn't have a pan long enough".

mike, i'm sure you know this kind of sales pitch is not allowed on the forum.