Zaiger was working with different cherry tree cultivars from Spain. It's quite possible—I would even say very likely—they could have used Cristobalina to breed Royal Lee. The descriptions of these cherries sound quite similar to each other in many respects, dark colored flesh, sweet, and good flavor. quote by goyo626: "I tried searching for cristobalina cherry patent info but nothing comes up. Can anyone direct me to the patent info on this variety. The only info I have found is that it is an old spanish variety. Thank you. " I feel reluctant to post this again, because I have already posted in several other places in this message board, but here it goes... There is a low chill Spanish heirloom variety cherry called Cristobalina. It is self-fertile and requires about 200 chill hours. Cristobalina has been grown for generations of cherry growers in Andalucia and Valencia, where winters are as mild as they are in Southern California, and reliably produces fruit despite lack of a cold winter. It is known to flower mid-February and produces dark purple, delicious sweet cherries. The only negative is that the fruit does not have as much edible flesh as other more popular cherry varieties, but thinning the tree can help lead to more full-sized fruit. Of course there would not be a patent on it, and this variety is not widely known in America.

Amaryllis Belladonna, the only true Amaryllis... not to be confused with Hippeastrum, the bulb we all know and love! From what I gather, Belladonna does quite well cultured in pots... as long as you understand that it's growth and bloom seasons are different from Hippeastrum bulbs. As stated above, they grow their leaves in late winter or early spring... then the leaves die back... a couple of months later the flowers make an appearance on their own, hence the nickname "Naked Ladies"! Information I've come across indicates that they prefer a well-draining, sandy soil and don't take kindly to over watering. Just like the Hippeastrum, they prefer to dry out a bit in between waterings. I'm too far north to grow these beauties outdoors in the garden, but instead have planted a different version of "Naked Ladies", Lycoris Squamigera. These are another bulb often confused with the true Amaryllis Belladonna. They are very similar in looks, growth habit and culture, but are hardy in my zone 5 garden and can be left in the ground all year. If you Google "Amaryllis Belladonna", you'll find lots of excellent information and culture tips, not to mention photographs of this lovely late summer bloomer.

Dear Blanca, My bags also had departure days of 13/11/2014 (13 November 2014) on the green tags; departed from Roissy."Flowers" is handwritten under the preprinted "Printed matters" Boxes 1 and 3 arrived in the bag, while box 2 arrived on its own, which suggests to me it had been taken out of the bag for possible inspection. My 3 boxes took 6, 8, and 12 days to arrive, respectively., once they left France. I wish I knew why yours were not in good shape. It sounds like they sat somewhere really warm and damp. I recall seeing "Priority Post" (or similar) on the white tag attached to each blue bag. I'll look when I get home. "M" bags are the least expensive way to send parcels that weigh less than 5 kg. This only adds to the mystery; I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. Kristi This post was edited by kaboehm on Wed, Dec 3, 14 at 14:08

According to the list published in the back of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's "Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants", 2006 edition, Paulonia tomentosa is listed as invasive in CT, DC, GA, KY, LA, MD, NC, NJ, OR, PA, TN, VA and WV. The list is drawn from the WeedUS: Database of Plants invading Natural Areas in the USA, and printed with permission of the Plant Conservation Alliance. In the last several years, more states may have listed it as invasive. They suggest, as an alternative, that catalpas or Kentucky coffee trees be planted instead. I don't necessarily say that such a listing is definitive, but will say that since the tree is listed as widely as it is, I rather think it poses a problem. While the 'Americana' cultivar may in fact not be invasive, I would want to see more documentation than that of the developer - sometimes what is perceived is what is most favorable. Keith, 3 years is not enough time to say for sure that a tree is or isn't invasive - mostly it takes longer than that for seeds to be spread around and the true nature of a plant to show up. That it IS listed in CT would seem to say that cold climates aren't a check on it.