Edna... did you get my email? Sorry I couldn't see you to say goodbye before I left. Hope you're fine. Xuan

Hi Cassiope If you have left your plants just in their pots in storage you will no doubt have lost them to the frost even if they were in the garage. What I would suggest is the following; 1) Stop giving your plants water at least a couple of weeks BEFORE you want to cut them back; 2) Cut your plants back by approximately 2 thirds (making sure that they have at least a couple of buds below the cut; 3) When you cut the plants back use a PVA glue on the cuts to stop the sap bleeding onto the stems; 4) After the glue has set, you should wrap the plants in their pots in newspaper or preferably garden fleece; 5) Place the wrapped plants in a large box which has had all sides (including top and bottom) covered with some form of insulating material (sheets of polystyrene are good for this and if all else fails you can use the material used for packing electrical appliances or the small beads that are sometimes used to fill cushions or bean bags) anything that will insulate. The plants will need checking a couple of times during the winter to make sure that they do not become too dry. Water sparingly and replace the plants until you are happy that you can bring the plants out of their 'hibernation' and start them back into growth. I would like to say that you could keep the plants growing in the house overwinter but unless you have all the conditions correct you will either have stunted growth or leggy growth. Much better to try and give the plants a rest during this period. Sorry I can't be of much help .....but -35 now thats cold!!!!. Tight....

I've had very good luck with Crocosmia and Salvias as previously mentioned. Right now there isn't anything they like other than the Fushia hanging basket near the feeders. I keep the feeders going all winter and had both the Anna's and Calliope Hummers stay through the entire season for two years now. The Rufous don't show up until March. Our yard backs up to Seola Park greenbelt in West Seattle so I see them searching and picking bugs off the tree branchs. Oddly, they particularly like a cedar and a blue spruce.I don't what they are getting from them but suspect some sort of tiny bug. There are at least 2 - maybe 3 pairs and some oddball visitors. They scrap with themselves and the other birds constantly. I never figured them to be so territorial. They will perch on a tree limb and chatter, chirp and flash their gorgets in the evening after a good meal. A tip: Never let the food source go empty whether its flowers or a feeder. THEY WILL LEAVE and you'll just be stuck with the transients unless you have a neighbor who serves them.

Thanks Greg. I think showing people examples of what they can grow safely is a great idea. I have a garden full of 'weeds' that I am getting rid of bit by bit and I appreciate the help. Cheers, Dee.