Link to post http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/gardgal/msg0721120629124.html the link to the photo is on this post

Hmmm let me think. They were about 6-8" tall from top to ground. Approx 1/2- 1/3 of the bottom was the green stalk, the upper portion was the "cone" of the flower. I cant describe the flowers well - but they were lots of small individual flowers or petals that made up the cone. I cant recall what the foliage looked like. Grandma lived in central Pennsylvania, zone 6a/6b. IIRC the flowers came in the spring when we would visit for easter. They were growing along the southern side of her house. The flowers were solitary in the sense that there was just one actual flower cone that was comprised by a bunch of petals. I cant recall if they were perennials - I want to say they are but am not sure. I dont know if they were from bulbs Thanks for the help - it's been 25 years. I would like to grow some in rememberance - Grandma loved those blue flowers, her huge peony and lilac bushes and always grew a bumper crop of zucchini.....thanks again for the help with such a vague description.

Hi, Irina, it is awesome to see you talking much! Elsie, I also live in CA but north. See if you can get to a violet club. They will advise on potting mix. And a million other things. Many clubs make their own mix and sell it. I buy my potting mix directly from Lyon's and buy plain perlite from Ace or any nursery. I lighten the mix with perlite. I hope you tossed Grandma's plant by now. Fungus gnats are annoying. To get rid of them once and for all, I threw out everything that looked on the verge. I repotted every plant, replacing with fresh mix, cleaning all pots. Then washed or brushed them. And groom often. As for Violet Barn, they are more for experienced growers. It can be difficult to achieve sucess with their plants and heavy, cakey potting mix. There are some local growers in California that have beautiful, strong plants. I will try to get their names. But do try to get to a club and go to the spring plant sales. You will learn a lot. Do not be concerned about distance. People carpool or rent buses to go together. California grown plants will do better for you than plants bought anywhere else. Except for Lyon's, they do well. Joanne

There are a lot of unescapable elements here...wind ..dust...heat?...plus the monochromatic colors from Mother nature....it seems like a nice enclosed sunroom makes more sense than an outdoor space...and adding color wherever you can would be pleasing in contrast to the surroundings..pale but colorful trims...curtains...lattice in any garden area ..even a fountain...would create the feel of a little oasis...if there is any shade offered by the big trees behind the house...i might consider locating the sun porch on the shady side...even moving the entrance if that is possible ...to be in the shade