Ingris, I've had a similar problem with Niles Cochet - except for the rodents. He is in his 3rd location. He was a really slow starter (non-starter) in his first location. I posted here about him back then, and some said he tends to be that way - slow. Moved him when I realized he was going to be a mammoth bush, but when he finally seemed to be settling in and growing, I realized his new spot was going to be way too shady for a tea, so last spring off he went to home #3. Over the last 10 months or so he has added no canes and the three that he has have had very few leaves and have gotten shorter due to dieback. I'm really tired of looking at a stunted and shrinking Niles Cochet. I've never seen a flower on him in almost 2 years. The love affair is over. NC will be out of here. I have a few choices for his replacement that I'll have to ponder. I agree with Jerome. Try another one. Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

I really love La Paz and Striped Panther. They shoot up a lot of scapes and love to bloom. Their bulb looks like an onion with tight neck, but when they are planted, they really shoot up a lot of leaves. I consider them keeping evergreen, just for the look of the leaves. They look like some palm leaf coming out of the pot... A lot of people don't really like Striped Panther, because it does not have such an impressive bloom. It is a white trumpet with burgundy stripes. It is not the most beautiful, but when you have three scapes blooming at the same time, it is nice. I really like it. The scapes are very high, so they are different from the other trumpet varieties. It is hard to get. I read somewhere, that when they came out with it, it did not sell that well, so they decided not to push it anymore, so they are winding this variety down. Maybe one more year, and they are not producing it anymore... I don't know if it is true, but I am glad I bought it two years ago.

Coming into the end of Magnolia from Texarkana, go over the railroad tracks & pass the Deltic Timber plant on the left. Turn right onto County Road 27 when you see the Lake Columbia sign. Follow road for 3.4 miles. Turn right at stop sign then left on County Road 53. Go 3.1 miles & turn into the lake area. You should see the pavilion & the swap area. We won't have door prize drawings if no one signs up to bring any. We may also forget about using tickets if no door prizes. If no one signs up to bring any food, we will bring for ourselves or plan to drive into town as we get hungry. If bringing plants, try to water the night before so it's not as heavy or messy. Remember seeds need to be labeled & you should try to have at least 10 packets to get a ticket. Make sure cuttings have at least 2 nodes on them & keep them wrapped in moist (not wet) paper towels in a baggie. Label them so everyone knows what kind of plant they are. Try to make a note of which end is the stem end (end closest to the mother plant)while taking them. If you can have pictures & growing instructions made up that would be great but not necessary.

Because it is the premier agricultural state in the country, California has more plant restrictions (importation) than anywhere else. But most mail order nurseries that have good reputations and have been in business for a reasonable length of time are aware of any restrictions that may apply to their plants and will state clearly if they are prohibited from shipping into CA.