Update on the Smoke Tree. It is DEAD. I don't know why I didn't closely inspect the tree before I planted it. It was STUPID, STUPID STUPID not to. In my defense, I relied on the seller's 100% positive feedback and just took the tree out of the box and concentrated heavily on planting it carefully. Flash forward to today, I took another look at the tree. There was something about it that looked dead to me. I don't know, call it intuition, call it whatever you want. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was up. Anyway, I took the fencing down from around the tree, and got on the ground, and low and behold I saw a tiny, albeit DEEP scratch. It was dead underneath. I also did another scratch test and saw the tree was indeed dead. I don't know what to do about it. The Ebay seller has 100% positive feedback. I have no doubt that they don't want a negative from me. And just for the record, I've been on Ebay for 15 years and have NEVER left a negative. The seller does clearly state on their page that we must notify them on the day of delivery if there are any problems with the tree. I get why they do that. They have no earthly idea how people take care of their trees once they've been delivered. I feel for Ebay sellers in that regard. The thing is I KNOW this didnt happen on my watch. I know it! I also know I can't prove it. It just seems, from my perspective, to be unfair they sent me a tree that was DOA. Should I just suck it up and eat the $17? Or should I contact them and let them know what is going on?

SMC - I still am praying for the red hibiscus. It never was too prolific at flowering, but it put out gorgeous, huge blooms. I've learned my lesson about propagating them, though. If they do come back, I'll have a lot of cuttings just in case they die again for real this time. Elizabeth - I wait until I see if the plant is going to really come back before I cut it back. For example, I had a Vinca that was coming back from the base, but it didn't make it. Luckily, they send out VOLUMES of seedlings every year, so no great loss.

I have the same thing going on here in 5B. I talked with a friend who works at the local greenhouse and he said he thinks he’s lost 9 clumps of pampas grass. He attributes it to our terribly dry fall, winter and spring. He’s going to wait till June 1, and if there’s no life then he will plant new. After talking to him, I came home and looked at mine again. All grasses on slopes or otherwise dry areas have no sign of life. The few that are showing minor growth are in low spots. He may just be right.

how cold are the nights?? its going down to high 30s tonight for me.. west of detroit ...and i suspect you are north of us.. soil temps are root depth are the key to spring flush ... established plants get moving regardless.. but disturbed soil.. that you wet on transplant.. can stay colder later.. give it a few more weeks.. ken brrr .. sounds a lot worse in C https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=30f+to+c&ia=answer