I really like Annabelle's Blush. I received that one last year as a bonus from Maryott's, but it didn't survive the winter. About the only time I lose daylilies is with fall planting. Now on to more important things -- love those kittens! And I love all your captions for the photos. Columbus is one gorgeous kitten, especially with those tiger stripes on his legs. We took in an older kitten in the early spring that was nearly dead in the road. Unfortunately, we hadn't gotten her spayed yet and she got out for two nights in early July. Anything I should be looking for to tell if she's in a family way?

It has been my experience that floribundas and hybrid teas do not grow well at all on their own roots, at least in my neck of the woods. My 12-year-old Playgirl is an 18-inch wimp; I saw 5-foot tall Playgirls budded on Fortuniana. Of course, there are a few exceptions. The pink hybrid tea Andrea Stelzer grows very well on its own roots; mine is 7-feet tall. Miniatures are a different story and grow quite well on their own roots. Some of the larger minis such as Bees Knees, Arcanum, and Miss Flippins I have had to move up to 10-gallon pots because they are so big and vigorous. In the shrub and OGR category, that is a mixed bag. Many do grow well on their own roots if you have patience and are willing to wait several years. But others never seem to reach their full potential so budded is better. Not to be overlooked is the instant gratification that many of us require. Although I do sometimes take cuttings of rare and unusual roses that I can't get anywhere else, I would much rather get a fully developed bush already growing in a pot, budded and ready to spring forth as soon as I plop it into the ground. Exhibitors are not a patient lot.

They should have arrived long before this, I mailed them priority mail from a UPS store on Tuesday, then went out Tuesday at 2. They should have arrived on Thursday or Friday. They are in a lightbulb box. I did not get a tracking number. That will teach me. Supposedly, leaves can be ok for two weeks and these are from very strong varieties. I have learned the hard way that when mailing plant material, sometimes, anything that can go wrong will go wrong. If they don't arrive by Tuesday, I will go to the UPS store. They have the info in their computer, which is one good advantage about using UPS, even though the cost is a little higher. they mail them US Mail, but add their own tracking in the computer. It is not tracking of the shipment, it is tracking on my account of what i mail through them. I have a mail box with them, so I have an account. my mailing address for plants is my residence, not my UPS box.

I would love to get either leaves or starter plants for any variety of African Violets. My grandmother always collected these so they have a sentimental value to me. I have some vegetable seeds I purchased by the pack that I could trade for it.