I would like to trade some asters, cinnamon basil, dark opal basil (purple)and a few kinds of hot peppers for your scarlet flax, 4th of july and sweet 100 tomatoes and some red columbine. Also i was thinking that you should plant some kind of bushy herb in this area. I have sage, rosemary, thyme and lavander planted in this area at my home. They tend to be drought resistant once established. I dont have any seeds right now, but i could keep you in mind for later in the season. I have found that nasturtiums do well in this area as well, liking the sun and less than optimal soil.

Thanks Spike, this exchange is is a great gift oakleif

Hi Carol! I too was a northlander, but I headed south 4 years ago- so I sympathize with you suffering in that weather... but I secretly enjoyed when everything would grind to a halt & shut down- the kids got to stay home from school, they'd play in the snow, throwing snowballs & building forts, & then come in to thaw out with some home made hot cocoa & toast- Daddy couldn't go to work, so he spent the day shoveling off 3 feet of snow off the roof, & then he shoveled it off the driveway- sometimes 2x a day! The snow is so peaceful when it comes down in those big fluffy flakes- the snow just muffles every sound but the wind... and those black velvet skies at night, star studded like diamonds- I used to go out back & lay in the snow & make snow angels, & just stare up at the night in pure wonder... Welcome to this great forum, filled with caring people! kasha77

Hi Charles - and welcome! I have lots of groundcovers, herbs, cuttings, and some other plants/starts for you, whenever you want to come by in NE Portland.. I can share African Violet leaf cuttings and divisions too, for indoors. If you like Carniverous Plants - there is an Oregon Company that specializes in these cool plants - which live outdoors year-round in our Zone 8. (I have a stunner in my birdbath right now...with 10 hungry heads waiting for lunch. I hope they don't eat the mason bees that come to this water source!) The Saracena link is here, and below: http://www.cobraplant.com I met one of the owners - and you can see some of the plants, and meet Jeff at Portland Saturday/Sunday Market: Â December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-24 (11 AM - 4 PM) Â Downtown Portland, near the Burnside Bridge. If you are interested in Salvia, you'll want to ask Salviaguy (on GW) for an invitation to his place. There are specialty Bamboo collectors in Portland, and peope who grow Tropical plants - and you'll find some of them right here in the Member Exchanges. To get local events and Plant Swap info mailed to you (when I find notices) just add an email address to my simple-living newslist at Yahoo Groups - it's called: CheapogazetteNW Enjoy the colors and smells of Indian Summer! Here is a link that might be useful: Sarracenia Northwest, Carniverous Plants