I do have some crocus that are blooming, but I vow to move them next year because they were planted behind some large hollies (previous owners--not me) and nobody can see them unless you're standing directly above them. I'd love to move them down by the mailbox. My tulips are growing, but so far I don't have any buds. My verbena is looking lively. I have a few glorious leaves on a black and blue salvia that I bought at the end of the year last year at the farmer's market and I wasn't quite sure if it was going to make it and it looks like it did, so I'm very glad. All of my rose bushes are showing signs of new growth. I also have a weigelia that looks like it's getting a few nubs on the tips of it's branches. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that one because I thought for sure it was a drought victim. I see daffodils everywhere and I must put it in my calendar to plant some bulbs this fall. They cheer me up so much and I want some in my own garden. But for the most part, my garden is looking a little tired and lifeless. Maybe with some careful planning this year, it will look so much better next spring.

Just a thought- don't be too quick to toss out the drought victims- wait till late next spring to toss because of no growth- they may have been too stressed out and gone into early dormancy. I have found that is the case with a few different plants of mine over the years. Espicially woody plants or bulbs and tubers, less often with hardy perennials- but still often enough to mention.. For fall planting- you want to be sure to give the plant time to settle in for the winter- most plants will adapt in enough time to pull through- I do recall that iris should be in by August- July is better- and that pine trees should not be done in the fall and maybe Redbud as well- I am sure there are a few more- but that is all I can dredge up at the moment- If you are looking for raspberries or black caps- I have a few to share- E-mail me if you are interested. Julie

Pat, Here's a link to the terms of service. That may help. People who use the forums as they are intended, don't advertise, don't link to other forums, and are not rude or profane generally have no problems. Certain forums have additional rules, with a link posted on the lead page. I got a naughty notice email the first week I participated in the Seed Exchange Forum, innocently doing something I'd seen done many times. In the subject line I put something like 'Trying to Reach 'username'' That was deemed to be personal correspondence and not appropriate for the Exchange Forum. Spike told me to post things like that in the Conversation area. The back story is enlightening. I was negotiating a trade wherein I was to provide a couple dozen baby palm trees. The trader asked for a photo which I sent. He then sent me one in return. At the same time I was opening it, a power surge turned off the computer and I couldn't get it to reboot. I was concerned about being a polite trader, and didn't want him to think I was a flake. So I jumped in the car and drove to the library, waited for a computer, then logged on to post and tell him I was without a computer, but would be back in touch as soon as I could. That was the post that yielded the naughty notice. When I took my computer in for service, I learned that the power surge had nothing to do with my problem. Instead, the 'trader' had embedded a virus in the photolink he sent, and that is what crashed my computer. Ironic, huh? Anyway, all that to say, with total due respect to wbonesteel's belief his posts are being deleted, deleted posts are very rare, and I'm allowing for a strong possibility he is dealing with either a technical difficulty or user error. BTW Pat, I think in a couple of places you have called me Paula? I know Paula, I like Paula, but I'm not Paula. I'm just seedmama. ;) Here is a link that might be useful: Terms of Service

Standard rudbeckias like mums are somewhat marginal in Minnesota as perennials. Only the R. fulgida varieties like Goldtrum are dependable permanent perennials around here. The fancier types are often best treated as early started annuals, and are at best only biennial or short lived perennials, although they do self sow. One important point is that the early stolons in many of these aster family plants are quite fine and have little root behind them for sustenance. They are extremely vulnerable to early spring drought and thrive much better if attention is paid to watering early, so that the stool has dependable moisture to root into. Very often what is often considered to be winter kill, is actually spring drought victims.