Wetsuitor: The only ones I dug up this year were 4 washies and a sago palm, each of which would take considerable protection here including heat. I will be leaving those in when they get 2 big to handle, but the washies seem to take root distubance very well and overwinter well indoors. There is of course some set back and it is slow to get growing in the spring, however I'm not ready to get into an elaborate heating system yet. I'm trying to work out my kinks this year on a trachy. Plus my wife would kill me if I had Jim's setup! I live in maybe the coldest winter 6a in America. This will be my 3rd winter here, the lowest low each of the past 2 years is -2, and -8F, HOWEVER, it is the norm to go 3 weeks at a time never getting above freezing. Last December and January, we had 9 days that got above freezing during the day, and most of those were in the 33-38F range for highs. We also had 2 3-weeks seesions of consecutive below freezing weather. The other problem is that I generally don't see grass from Dec.1 to mid-March, it never gets warm enough to ever melt the snow. Last year I lost 2 decent sized trachies and a sabal palmetto, and my minors and needle that survived received considerable damage, the minors burned 98%, the only things left were the emerging spears. Needle had spear pull with surving pups. That was with frost cloth wrapped unheated leaf cages, which provided 0-30% damage and no losses the year before.

I've misplaced my old GardenWalk maps, so I have to do it by memory, and the little information that is online right now. GardenWalk Buffalo http://www.gardenwalkbuffalo.com/ Look at pictures here... http://dzinteck2.photobiz.com/cart/gallery.cfm Saturday and Sunday July 24 & 25 10am - 4pm Keep in mind, some homeowners get tired on Sunday and sometimes start locking their gates early, so get an early start if you choose to go on Sunday versus Saturday. The 2010 map will not be available for a few more weeks. In the meantime, you can view or print the 2009 map at this page... http://www.gardenwalkbuffalo.com/docs/GWebMap09.pdf If this is your first time, be sure to visit the Cottage District, one of the six major neighborhoods. It is not to be missed. The Cottage District is centered around two streets, Union Place, and Little Summer, and almost every house on the street is involved. These are some of my other favorites... 755 West Delevan A fantastic water garden with a huge koi pond. The koi are so big, they get overwintered in the homeowners cellar. 597 Breckenridge A must see Japanese garden, front and back yard. 415 Summer A cottage garden with a twist. The homeowner had no yard in the back of her house, just concrete, so see created raised beds and piled soil on top. Her entire backyard is essentially one giant container garden. 604 Bird Avenue A beautiful water garden, and garden with a staggering variety of plants 98 Johnson Park If you love lilies like I do, you need to put this garden on your list. Many varieties of hard to find and unusual Asiatic, hybrid, and day lilies. 75 Lancaster A very busy garden with a lot to see. Large city lot that is almost all garden. Let me know if you want restaurant/bar recommendations.

I went...it was great. It was my first time and I will be going back next year. Stopped at the Anchor Bar for wings afterwards, yum. I posted photos of my trip on the Garden Galleries page. Here is a link that might be useful: A few summer photos

Luke is definitely a cutie, peren.all! Your garden looks great, as always! Nicholsworth (without the 55 part!)---now what can I change my name to---oldhostalady?---your compost factory is quite the process! Lots of work involved, but I believe it when you say that your plants are loving your compost! I have to say that I am envious with anyone whose hostas are now gone dormant! I am waiting for a freeze just so I can put my hosta containers away. It's cold and windy and I just don't enjoy the outdoors very much anymore. It's too cold for me! Now about Fragrant Blue, I remember a thread where forum members were discussing whether or not they could smell any fragrance from Fragrant Blue. I was surprised that many said that they could not. Mine does have a scent, but it is a light one. Nothing compared to something like Guacamole's stronger scent. Now doesn't that make it more confusing! In June: In August: In October: