The sweet potato vines are ornamental so I don't believe you could start with a regular sweet potato from the store. My mom used these a few years ago and raved about them. I found mine at a local hardware store, but I'm sure the Lowe's-type stores here carry them as they are very popular in this area (Southeast). There are several colors, but the chartreuse and dark purple are the most popular. I hate that you can't see that photo. It was the very first photo by Jenny_in_SE_PA. I think it is exactly what you want. The combination of bright green SP vine and dark purple coleus was stunning! Here is a photo of mine at the beginning of last summer: I *think* that is one vine. It might be two, but I'm almost certain I used one sweet potato and one petunia in each pot. By the end of the summer the sweet potato vine was trailing on the ground. I actually had to give it a few haircuts. When our temps hit 105 in July (and the concrete patio and brick retaining wall held in the heat like an oven!), the sweet potato never flinched. I need something taller in my pots and considered some sort of evergreen, conical shrub like an arborvitae, but I think my heat would kill it. Since you're in zone 6, you might have better luck with a permanent shrub. I may experiment with some tall grasses this year. Here's a link showing some containers that use evergreen shrubs along with some other interesting non-flowering plants. http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/10-plants-for-year-round-containers.aspx?nterms=74930 At one time I only wanted flowers. Flowers, flowers, and more flowers. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE flowers, but I've begun to appreciate foliage and texture as well. I think I'm finally maturing a little. (But did I mention that I still love flowers? The gaudier the better?) I think it is fun to think outside the box a little when it comes to container combinations. Have fun with yours! Nin

I have to trade: Agastache Giant White Hyssop (Not sure if this is: Agastache scrophulariaefolia or if it is: Agastache Nepetoides. 3rd year plant is about 6 feet tall. Bees and butterflies love this plant. Has a wonderful licorice scent) and I also have Gaillardia x grandiflora Burgundy and Gaillardia x grandiflora Yellow Queen. Please send me an email and let me know what you would be interested in. Thanks Here is a link that might be useful: White Hyssop

Feverfew: (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) I love this little volunteer plant - have no idea where mine originally came from. Makes a great filler in the garden; good in bouquets, too, instead of baby's breath. It does self seed and spread with abandon, but I've always found it easy to pull up where it's not wanted. (kind of like my Johnny Jump-ups and forget-me-nots.) Don't think I've ever noticed feverfew packs in the seed racks or as seedlings in garden centers - perhaps they're to be found with the herbs?

I would like to trade for these seeds. Tithonia, Mexican sunflower, "Sundance" Achillea, Pink Yarrow Anethum, Dill "Bouquet" (short) Leonurus cardiaca, Motherwort I am also looking for these... Creeping Thyme Lavender Thyme English Thyme Silver Thyme French Thyme German Thyme Lemon Thyme Caraway Thyme Lavandula intermedia .....'Grosso' .....'Dutch Mill' ......angustifolia 'Blue Cushion'. .....'Alba' and ......L.a. ..... 'Rosea' I have some herbs I have to put on my trade page soon. you can find it here.... http://members.gardenweb.com/members/sunnysmiles51 I have these of your wants... Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower Salvia, "Hot Lips" Sunny