Joe wrote: "Hard to tell the difference even when two good plants are side-by-side. But amongst a group of 'DD Seedling', one can see the subtle variability." Thanks for the info Joe. Speaking of variability, that's one of my biggest complaints about Phormiums. More than once I've planted a grouping (3 - 5) of Amazing Red, Pink Stripe, or Sundowner only to have them grow in very differently ways - size wise. Very frustrating. I had high hopes for Monrovia's 'Festival Grass' Cordyline x 'Jurred' but found it works best with some afternoon shade. I assumed that being a Cordyline that it would be tough as nails but that isn't the case. Been using the other clumping Cordyline 'Electric Pink' with success so far, especially in containers.

Cannadoit - Dottie wasn't accusing you of anything. The GardenWeb rules forbid mentioning any business by name, for any reason, under any circumstances. But things have relaxed a bit nowadays and no one seems to be monitoring things. Just don't be surprised if this thread gets pulled. They consider mentioning a company name as a form of advertising, regardless of the intent. As for seeds or plants - I used to shop everywhere online and couldn't wait to see that box waiting for me on the porch when I got home from work. But now that I've lived here for 9 years I know my way around better and can find just about anything I want locally. Even the hard to find obscure organic/heirloom vegetable seeds from Baker Creek are now available off the rack at my favorite downtown Raleigh Garden Center (Logan's). For mainstream summer annuals I shop at all the garden centers on the south side since that's where I live, with Bbs down in Sanford and Campbell Road on Tryon being favorites. For truly unique odd ball stuff I hit Plant Delights which is conveniently nearby. I have one favorite place I still shop at back in my home state of Oklahoma (Bustani Plant Farm) but I usually pick stuff up when I am home visiting relatives. I shop differently now than I did in the past. My garden is pretty full so now I seek out the plant online and look for sources. When I see something that I think will work for me (often from a thread here on Garden Web) I google the heck out of it and track down a source. I have splurged and bought seeds from all over the world that way. But I no longer have favorite seed or plant catalogs.

There are a number of west coast wholesale sources, but I find nothing for your side of the country. Hybrid phormiums tend to be grown from divisions rather than seed - it takes a long time to raise one from seed and hybrids will unlikely come true to form. You might try looking for the cultivar 'Shiraz' - much more readily available and very similar in appearance and size. 'Amazing Red' is also a good substitute.

Ooooh, I love this post. I recently moved to Colorado (Littleton) in late August from my home state of Michigan and was wondering where all the good nurseries were! There a few small ones by me. As for seeds, I like to order from Jung's, Baker Seeds, and Burpee (their catalogs, like most seed catalogs, have much more variety than what is sold in stores). I will also order from an odd catalog or two I get, but the ones I named are where I order the most. For live plants, I like High Country Gardens and David Austin. Four years ago I ordered one of Jung's perennial gardens for sun. They came in 3 inch pots and I wasn't sure they would make it through the Michigan winter. Three summers in, I had the most lush, beautiful perennial garden I could hope for. I will definitely take the gamble on Jung's perennial garden again once I find a permanent home in CO. At least I am in same zone here as I was in MI so hopefully I will have the same success!