herbstonne, you might consider "mounding" them as is often done in harsher climates to keep them cool, dark and damp until there is new growth. hoovb's suggestion of partial shade is a good one, but with the warmth they're going to be exposed to, they might be triggered into premature growth before they develop sufficient roots. I have always potted bare roots and created cylinders of either cardboard or many layers of newspaper to fit inside the cans up to the tops of the canes. I fill the cylinders with potting soil, leaving the top inch or two of the canes exposed, then place them so they get some sun, but not all day, hot sun. Keep the pots, including the extra soil, watered as you normally would until you see new growth beginning to emerge from the cane ends. Gradually, over a period of a few weeks, remove the extra soil, unless you experience a week or so of rain and over cast conditions. Removing the extra soil to expose the canes to the elements works very well in a rainy period as they harden off and acclimate to the harsher conditions quickly when kept rain bathed. Funny how both mature plants, cuttings and rose seeds KNOW the difference between a hose and rain. The plants can be stimulated into growth by heat as well as brighter light. The goal is to keep them cool, damp and dark until you have enough roots. Burying them in cylinders of soil in their cans until they "tell" you they are ready to grow should help you improve your chances significantly. That also goes for planting them in the ground as the moist soil helps prevent them from drying out until they can drink for themselves. Unless they're waxed, they can absorb water through the canes and leaves, just as they can loose it. Good luck! Kim

Grant - Thanks for the link. I'm bookmarking it for now since I don't want to murder anything else in this heat. If I still can't find any here early this fall I'll take the plunge and order them then. Maybe even seeds... if I feel particularly brave. I've only grown really simple things from seeds... like grass, lol! Pagancat - Have you been peeking at my backyard? I've got the shadecloth draped over both the chairs and fence - it's working fairly well. They're wilty but hanging on. I think some of the problem is shock because I still have one in a pot that I put out there and it's actually doing a little bettter than the planted ones. *sigh* I took all five vines that they had at Rillito (in Tucson on La Cholla near Orange Grove). I think they only started with 16. I don't know if they're getting more or not but for months all I heard from various nurseries was that the suppliers didn't have them. I appreciate all your help, folks! Jen

I wish I could remember all the names. Our Armstrong Nursery would get interesting ones from time to time and I'd just buy them. They are also easy to propagate so buy one and make 20! Some of the Salvia that come to mind that are in the yard: Greggii Hot Lips Golden (beautiful burnt orange) Mexican bush (this is the one the Dog is sitting in) Jerusalem Woolly Blue Curls There is also french/english/spanish lavender. Weeping blue atlas cedar (drapes over the waterfall) dogwood almond tree Thanks for the compliments. It's interesting to look at the early pictures to see just how much the landscaping contributes to the overall look. Here is a picture just after we started planting. Looks very empty in comparison to the pictures I posted above. Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia

As a general rule, plants with pretty flowers won't be an issue for your son since they are pollinated by insects as Rhizo commented. Grasses are wind pollinated as are many of the early spring blooming trees that have blossoms that aren't what most folks think of as traditionally pretty flowers such as pines and other evergreens, oaks, many maples, ash, and elm. You also may want to avoid plants with strong scents such as lilacs or Daphne since those can be irritating to those with allergies. You can probably get a list of specific plants that are known allergens from your son's allergist. Close to a pool you want to aim for plants that don't do a lot of shedding of flowers and leaves during the season you will be using the pool. A couple of general suggestions from someone with grass and other environmental allergies: If you or a near neighbor is mowing the lawn, close the house windows, and if possible do mowing when your son won't be at home. Also close up at the very least his bedroom during the spring high pollen season (and fall ragweed season if that is an allergen.) Minimize skin contact with grass or other allergens and wash up soon if there is contact. Get a HEPA filter for his bedroom so he has that 8+ hours without allergens and don't allow any pets to sleep in his room. If you do a web search for your state name and the phrase "soil test" you will probably get a place that does soil testing for homeowners, often a state university or cooperative extension. They will give you directions for taking samples. If there's nowhere local, Cornel University does tests from mailed in samples, but IME they are relatively expensive.