Hi, I have many vines that you might like: Cardiospermum halicacabum Rhodochiton atrosanguineum Asarina scandens 'loraine' (lots of seed pods are drying soon) A few seeds of Eccremocarpus scaber (not sure if it's a cross of 'cherry red' and 'pink lemonade') Also have Mina lobata or Firecracker vine but my bunnies ate the flowers recently, so I'm waiting for the only flower stalk left to set seed. I have plenty of feverfew seeds Check out my list for more options. I'd love your Amaranthus 'Elephant's Head,' 'Pony Tails' and 'Joseph's Coat' and Echinacea pallida 'Pale-Purple', simulata 'Glade' and the orange color. Here is a link that might be useful: Trade list

My lovage plant is many years old and comes back beautifully. Also have lots of lavender Munstead. I had a rue for many years but it didn't survive transplanting - they apparently don't like being moved. Haven't found another in the garden centres here yet. I grew borage in zone 6 altho it's annual so should grow almost anywhere. Pretty plant I should try again. Difficult to believe rosemary would survive a cold winter altho I grew it in the garden from seed before I heard that's difficult to do! I can't get one to overwinter in the house so have given up and treat it as an annual. This year I had lovage, oregano, thyme, purple sage, lavender, and chives overwinter and bought dill, parsley, rosemary, peppermint (growing in a pot, never again in the garden), more oregano, thyme, and green sage - which apparently the marmots like so not sure if those will survive. :-(

Write a note requesting a catalog from Backyard Herbs and Flowers. 8128 Maurer Rd., Apple Creek, OH.,44606. They are an Amish family so you can only communicate by mail or in person. My wife and I visited them yeaterday and were very impressed with their small business. Their catalog is very informative. If you get a catalog, let me know what you think. luke

Well, these ladies like flower-arranging, so how about using flowers in a startlingly different way - eat them! Truly, there are so many edible flowers out there, and some are positively delicious. My personal favourite is Daylily, but you can talk about lavender buds to be used in countless culinary delights both sweet and savoury, or rose petals (serve scones with rose petal jam and cream!), crystallised violets, chive flowers in salads..... You could serve a range of flower/herb teas - making sure to emphasise that they are all medicinal!! Edible flowers: Acacia, angelica, alkanet, alexanders, almond, anise, anise hyssop, apple blossom, banana, basil, bergamot, borage, burdock, calendula (marigold), chamomile, chicory, chives and garlic chives, clove pinks, clover, coriander, cowslips, crucifix orchid, dandelion, day lily, elderflower, evening primrose, fennel, forget-me-not, fuschia, gardenia, garlic, ginger, hawthorn (may), heartsease, heliotrope, Japanese honeysuckle, jasmine (J. sambac), ladyÂs smock, lawn daisy, lavender, lilac, lime blossom, loofah, lotus, lovage, marjoram, marshmallow, meadowsweet, milk thistle, mimosa, mints, mullein, musk mallow, mustard, nasturtium, orange blossom, onion, oregano, passionflower, peach blossom, primrose, primula, pumpkin, rose petals, rosella, rosemary, safflower, sage, scented geraniums leaves and flowers, Scots Thistle, snapdragon, St. JohnÂs wort, sunflower buds, salad rocket, soapwort, squash, sweet violet, sweet cicely, tansy, thyme, tulip, violet, viperÂs bugloss, wood betony, woodruff, yarrow, yucca, zucchini. Serve these, perhaps: Calendula Shortbread 175g flour 25g rice flour 125g butter vanilla calendula petals 50g castor sugar Sift flours, add castor sugar and butter, work into a stiff dough. Add calendula petals. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead well. Cut into shapes, bake at 150°C for 15-20 minutes.