I love this tree too. The one in Scottsdale is nothing compared to the one in Tempe in the lakes community south of Baseline and east of Rural. I talked to a guy that lives next to it, and he said that one of the original renters of this apartment complex planted it in the early 70s. It's got to be 80 feet tall. Truly looks like a tree out of the rain forest. The ones in the forest of uco at the zoo have those great aerial roots because they are constantly misted in the summer. Mine did not produce significant aerial roots until I hooked us some misters around it. Next time you go to the zoo, notice the variation between the trees. It is not just one species of Ficus. There are three distinct growth types at the zoo. The older ones in the forest of uco and the ones near the entrance have straight growing branches with spaced perfectly oval leaves. I think these are the F benghalensis. The one next to the bird cage that is north of the ocelot has longer and less oval leaves and I think it is a F lutea. Across from it, there is one with sharper and darker leaves that was recently planted. It even has a botanical sign - it is a F trichopoda (amazingly striking) The newer ones across the elephants and near the spider monkeys have more erratic growing branches and less perfect leaves. New growth swirls around and is not erect like benghalensis. This is the kind I have. IÂve been trying to figure out what kind this is for a while. It could be one of a dozen species from Africa that look very similar. They all have large leaves and easily grow aerial roots. There are also several large F palmeri (do not grow aerial roots, but sure can hug a rock) around the zoo that look similar, but these are locals from the southern sonoran desert. Tony

Always fun to list faves, though I think the best is the one that's blooming now! My current summer faves: brunfelsia Isola (lactea x americana, I believe, though no one seems to know for sure)is a blooming machine: I should have taken a picture a week ago, over 30 blooms in a 12" pot! It does get mealy bugs in winter, but it can handle a bit of abuse. Aglaia odorata, aka rice flower: mine's now 3 ft. tall, and seems to bloom after putting out new stems. Interestingly, the fragrance was almost the same as a cymbidium sinense orchid that bloomed at the same time -- heaven to your nose! Trachelospermum 'Mandianum', aka asiaticum, aka whatever they're calling it these days: has stayed in the same pot for years, almost a natural bonsai at this point, keeps popping out small yellow flowers with a marvelous, soft fragrance. And you gotta love the way old leaves turn red before dropping, for that two tone effect! And last but not least, now that I've figure out I wasn't watering my MOO enough, it's blooming all summer long! Yellowthumb, brunfelsia in Ontario? Have you checked flora exotica? Enjoy the scents!

cave creek canyon.. That mamas cross, is fairly old, several years.. one of my oldest crosses still surviving, it was from the first year I ever bought anything from the lily auction.. I dont think I spent more then 3 bucks on a cross back then. it was orginally just a fun thing to do one winter, those years crosses are all mostly moved, or trashed, sometimes you really get what you pay for. Silverkelt

Lovely photos there, you guys. Glad to see GardenerInWi come play with us in the hosta garden. Mike, love the hint of your water feature, look forward to seeing how you have it set up. We've had lots of water this week, but not manmade features. If there is a spot of blue left anywhere, I'd be surprised. A limb came down last night and struck my Jade Stone, tearing about 4 of its nice leaves off. But the crown is fine. Old tree limbs cannot take all this continuous wet heavy stuff. Later tonight I'll post pics I took today between showers. Found some bamboo poles at the river to hold up the heavy tall flower scapes on some of the hosta. Time for dinner now. Well, just ONE picture for now. The bee in the flower of Old Faithful....he stayed forever.