Daniella Only somebody who lives in Jersey is allowed to call it crappy! Having been there many, many times, and having a sister in South Plainfield and a cousin in Cherry Hills, I would certainly disagree. Although the sight of the refineries on the turnpike could use some help! I think that the Heliconia are probably Andromeda. Many years ago, I helped a friend clear out an old garden bed, that was completely overrun with weeds and crappy (there's that word again!) looking plants. There were a few struggling Heliconia scattered about, so I brought home about 10 of them. In the ensuing years, I have, literally, pulled out thousands of them, to keep them under control. A closer look: This spring, I reduced the bed considerably, because it was so much work. I added a taller, clumping variety, that was labeled "Assorted Heliconia". Gotta love HD! Next, I would like to get a Hanging Lobster Claw. Just for the heck of it... Cordyline Red Sister and a Variegated Ginger: Deb, I hope this is not rude of me... to share my garden photos in your thread. I just get carried away. Mahalo, Bob

Thanks everyone, I so love my iris, almost as much as my daylilies :) I'm seeing new bloom stalks every day. The weather is set for a cool down thankfully-possible light frost next week! This is the first year for bloom on Starple & All Revved up. I've had Starple for a couple of years, thought it had died so pleasant surprise. I think the trees you are seeing are all evergreens-neighbors on each side of us lined their property with spruce. Each of them have a big brick mansion & manicured lawn, I like the white country style house with lots of-guess what-FLOWERS! Suits me, I love the privacy & I hardly know they are there. But anyway, even though the photos don't show maples & other trees I have, other have already bloomed & leafed out. Crape myrtles aren't showing anything yet, but hydrangeas are starting to leaf out. Jean, I've heard people talk about their iris changing color, but I've never had that problem in any of them. I've had a few iris since I moved into this house, 17 years, although didn't really start collecting til about 8 years ago.

"Why have girls given up long dresses? They look lovely, BUT I just think that there are so few times in life when they get to get so very dressed up in long dresses and it just seems sad to me that this is over (for now, I guess.)" My daughter got a short dress for several reasons, starting with the fact she had no desire to spend money on something she is NEVER going to wear again! I think that might be true for a lot of girls today. Teenagers dress uber-casually in their daily lives. And sometimes in their dress-up lives; anyone recall the girls' sports team who were photographed with Pres. Bush at the White House wearing their flip-flops?! Anyway my daughter was quite clear. She wanted to get a dress she could wear for other formal occasions. And, she simply didn't see herself or want to be seen as someone wearing a foofy long formal. As she said, it isn't her. We ended up finding literally the perfect dress in the first one she tried on. It is gorgeous, burgundy silk that has spaghetti straps that can be removed to make a strapless effect. She is already planning on wearing it to her graduation family dinner at a nice restaurant, and mentioned it would be perfect for holiday parties too. A full length formal would go into the closet never to be seen again. And for the money, I feel much better knowing she will have a nice formal party dress if she needs one. Ann

My daughter went to two proms the first she was in 8'th grade, a dear friend of ours who we met thru a local support group for ill children..anyway the young man was a senior and loved Amiee, she agreed to be his senior prom date. They lived 3 hours away, both schools were involved and made this happen..This young boy had a serious medical condition. ..Michael since than has passed away, but him and Amiee had a wonderful time while us parents sat in the sidelines...bittersweet.