Mine are perennial and seed themselves around making new ones every year. They are meant to be a "see though" plant and are rather coarse so a whole border of them is not a good idea - better to mix them with other plants. I especially like them in with daffodils, daylilies, iris, and spiderwort but they work anywhere so I let them root where they want. I even find them in my gravel driveway so those get moved to safer spots. They don't transplant all that well but I have found the seeds to be quite viable when fresh though slow to germinate. They do not like to be fertilized or put in rich soil or overwatered. Treat them like a weed, ignoring them and they will bloom all summer and into early winter. The seed heads bring in the yellow finches and when the seeds have been dispersed I cut the stalks to the ground while the rosetteslook scruffy --- until spring! Nancy the nancedar

Bed Of Nails also known as Solanum quitoense is a relative of eggplant native to the mountains of South America. The story I heard is that the original plant in the wild did not have "nails" or spines at all. Through cultivation some forms developed the nasty spines. Throughout the regions where they are grown in S.A. there are many varieties, some with smaller leaves, some with spines only on one side, some with tons of spines. Most countries grow them for their fruit which is called by many names, two of the most popular are Naranjilla (little orange in Spanish) or Lulo in Columbia. The one growing in the plot is from "that place in Sanford", because of the high heat and dry this summer the fruit on it have little flavor. In cooler times the fruit tastes like a kiwi and is a popular flavoring in drinks down south.

Well, I've been away so long that I'm sure nobody misses me any more, but I'm trying to come back! Had a little confusion getting registered but that seemed resolved, so I posted to say I'm back. Now I can't find that, so who knows! I used to post as Ann in NC but fled to the wilderness when KT went "pay to play". Lately, though, I've been lurking. Will a couple of y'all shift over a little and let me back in?

yes, yes, i have been busy. i went to n.j. to see my sister and spent 5 days with her and then my neice decided she wants to use our gardens for her wedding reception and even though it's not till next summer, i have massive flower gardens that need cleaning out and so i will be very busy for her! i do have a few things i can post. i am currently working on a singer sewing table base that will have an old wood ironing board for a table top. i am also working on an old table, distressing it. i will try to get pics out to trash to treasure soon. nice, however to know i am missed. sherree!