My beloved Sister in Law gave that Yucca to us two and a half years ago when she moved...so I don't really know how old it is. I think they bought it when it was already pretty big. I love it! My husband thinks it is a monster, which, of course, it is...but I love it anyway. It grows about 4-6 inches every summer on the porch. Whereabouts in OH do you live, TJ? -Sarah

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Josephines67, with regards to Island Charm, the middles certainly do lighten up over the summer months. I've included a picture of the plant last year to illustrate the point. I've read that the plant can be tricky, and that Fantasy Island grows better since the margins are wider. This sounds very reasonable. I do have a Fantasy Island as well, but it suffered a setback a couple of years ago now, and though it's making a good comeback, it's hard to compare their growth side by side given that IC was a much larger plant when I bought it. I've had the plant three years now - hoping Tim's comment isn't a forecast for its impending demise!!! - and it had numerous eyes upon purchase. It might be pertinent to look for a decent sized hosta if you decide to track one down. Perhaps acquiring a more established plant will give you enough of a head start to keep it going. BC

I don't know, thousands and thousands I guess. :) I have a can o worms http://www.abundantearth.com/store/canoworms.html and I have a cheapo thing my hubby made me this year. Just some rubber maid bins stacked. He put a spout in the bottom and drilled wee little holes in the top. I use the leachate for my roses. I put them in the garage (well hubby does that). Then I put sleeping bags over top. I give them water once a month. They survive quite well. They're slower in eating which is good. I love taking care of my worms. It's quite fun. I usually get my younger daughter and her friend to come help me get worms out of the compost when I want to use the compost. They love to help with the worms. Carol

Thank you all for commenting! The foxgloves have naturally re-seeded from year to year. I thought I had lost the 'babies' from last season (which bloom the second year) due to the extreme drought. They were late coming up in the spring but all the rain got them growing like crazy. Apparently they love my soil since I don't have to do anything to encourage them. The eremerus (foxtail lily) are a little more complicated. They have to be mulched here in the fall for survival and don't like high winds which I sometimes get here on the mountain. But for anyone who has deer, rodent or rabbit issues, these and alliums are the perfect plant. Nothing eats them! Maryl, sorry you have lost so many roses. I have downsized considerably from my 'rose-crazy' days. I remember being so infatuated with roses until the scourge of the Japanese beetles. I get about 2 weeks of utter beauty until they arrive and then they look like shredded toilet tissue. That's why I no longer frequent the rose forum and hang out here......daylilies are so much more rewarding!