Capsules are the primary means of splitting mesembs into genera. Dinteranthus and Lithops actually have very similar capsules, they are closely related. Probably the only difference you can clearly point to would be the (usually) double keel of Dinteranthus, always single in Lithops. Dinteranthus rarely have as few as five locules, five is the most common number for Lithops, but six is common in both. The flowers are also similar in most respects. Dinteranthus seeds are really really tiny as opposed to just really tiny in Lithops. Dinteranthus bodies are usually keeled, sometimes quite strongly, this feature is not found in Lithops. The most keeled Dinteranthus species are clearly different to Lithops but some have a more typical Lithops shape. Dinteranthus windows are at best small and translucent, often absent or opaque. There are some internal differences not readily visible. So you can see that the differences are really quite minor, it is easy to mistake a Dinteranthus for a Lithops, crosses between the two are relatively easy and result in strong viable offspring, but the demarcation between the two is widely accepted. Dinteranthus leaves are even more fused than Lithops, they require less water, and are adapted to even higher levels of light and heat. They are occasionally found at the same location but generally in different niches.

I have a lot of those Peruvian daffs.They come up in places we never planted them.I also like the shed,lots of character there,and that grey cat on the bed is a cutie. Kathi

ella - what a lovely space you created! To help keep the soil in good shape you'll need to add organic matter yearly. Compost spread as mulch in late fall topped with irregular wood chips has worked well for our beds. I reach into the beds in spring using whatever tool is handy to be sure the mulch is pulled back from the plants, but don't dare step into the beds because the soil is just too soft & wet. Slug control is 3 pronged - sluggo type bait, hunt & remove when soil is moist, & also spray with ammonia water... Repeat. Repeat. Especially vigilant late summer to get all the adults possible and in early spring spray often with the ammonia water to get in & around emerging hostas to prevent damage. You're right that Burgundy Glow ajuga spreads less vigorously than Bronze Beauty, but in my 9 month wet climate still spreads fairly well. --3 Burg. Glow bareroot starts from a plant swap this April -- poor soil mulched with coarse wood chips around stepping stones across a low area in part shade became 30+ by now in August spreading out 3 feet square! --spring planted Bronze Beauty 12" apart on center by the next spring was solid around stepping stones, hose reel, etc. That patch is easily 4 feet x 6 feet up & over each other so that not all even rooted just runners spread. Easy care for that area when stepped upon & an easy source of countless starts for other gardens. In another area about 10 runners removed & planted became 3 feet x 6 feet in a year's time growing over pathway rocks toward stepping stones in the middle of the path. If you keep an eye on it & remove the excess runners your hosta will be safe. Otherwise the ajuga will over run & shoot runners between stems & even into the crown. Since the biggest growth spurt is in late spring I just snip the runners in early summer before they root. I am running out of new garden space and friends who don't have their own ajuga patch.

Hi, Stush! Glad to have another hosta fancier arrive on the scene. This month I am driving south with my new collection ....and my new passion for.....HOSTA. We'll see if I can bring beauty to a zone 8b hosta bed as some others on here have. I have a Blue Angel, one of the first I planted. I cannot wait to get back to Alabama and see if it is gigantic yet. Killing frost is yet to arrive there. I notice that you refer to your Blue Angel as "she" and "her." In my case, I'm convinced I have a boy Blue Angel, since the Navy's Blue Angels flying group is located about 60 miles or so away in Pensacola FL. I of course had no idea it would be a giant hosta when I planted it so close to my alocasias. But if segae grows fast, I think I need one of those too. Your plants look very lush and full, glad you got the shots of them before the deer found such a great green salad.