mmmmm, I love redbuds. We grow cercis siliaquestrum (Judas Tree) in the UK and infrequently, the odd cercis canadensis such as Forest Pansy (or a more recent one, Lavender Twist. These trees have not really entered the UK small tree lexicon unlike amelanchiers, robinias and the many sorbus, malus, prunus, witch hazels and wintersweet. We more often see katsuras with the same lovely autumn colour and rounded leaves, and most rarely of all, the gorgeous disanthus. My little Forest Pansy was joyful until succumbing to verticillium wilt - along with cotinus, cercis is a tad susceptible to this. A whole vista had been planned around the cercis, a huge R.moyesii (for the heps) and perovskia, all approaching a decent maturity - still gnashing my teeth.

Rita, You have some real beauties there. I love so many of these. No way to choose, but: The Westbourne Wildfires takes the cake. I love it, as it has that beautiful eye, and the glowing color. Malaysian Marketplace. That is one I bought after you posted it, and I still love it. It is one of my favorite day lilies. Welcoming Committee. a Typical understated beautiful Emmerich. And yet every one of them is beautiful! Thanks for posting, we needed that. kay

Bucky Balls and All American Tiger are very pretty, my favorites of your photos. I have to ask you about Royal Celebration: Does yours have a low bud count, and bud drop too? I think mine had about, oh maybe, eight buds per scape, and half of them dropped. It's not the only one this year that's dropped buds, many have (and have had low buds counts), but was wondering on the bud count issue. Mine opens all crazy-like, whereas yours looks perfect. Karen

Hahahaha, oh, Boxo, that is HILARIOUS! About the 30 cackling Women Hens!!!! Oooo, July 14th! I start my new job July 9th, and I don't want to forget that date and will have to highlight by my Blackberry, because babies are indeed milestones, and I at least want to send some good wishes your way! If I'm lucky I might be able to save up one good rose for your niece. I have one Purple Beauty Bud in the works, so I'm hoping the Magic Gardenville Sea Tea will protect that bud from our blasting Kansas heat. I'm sure you will have an ohhhh, so splendid recap of everyone celebrating in the Fabulous Garden. In fact, I suspect the Garden will be vying for everyone's attention, so unfotunately everyone will drag you kickin' and hollerin' as Tripod Man! You WON'T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE that easy.... If you do Escape with Your Sanity intact, hee-hee, be sure to do the Pre-Bouquets and Sneak Away while you have the chance. Sitting through women's shindigs is about as agonizing as accompanying a woman shopping! I am not the typical female so I can really identify what you poor Menfolk have to endure. I shop like a Shark, in for the kill in 5 minutes, then out just as fast!! Can spot out a beautiful on-sale outfit, know in a split-second just looking at it on the rack, whether or not it will fit, and go for the immediate KILL, hehe. Just like with Your Gorgeous Absolute Magnificent Roses, bwahaha! Just as fast and just as deadly, hee-hee! James is very, very lucky that I'm not a Girly-Girl. He and I love the action-blasting movies with blood, guts, and Computer CG exploding across the screen. Who knows, there could have been Kill Bill playing in the backdrop with my Baby Shower had I been lucky enough to have babies! :P