Hi Mike, I am not sure whether it's too late. Have you been visited the pantip website. It's a very nice plant lover community on the web for Thai people (similar to gardenweb). The only thing is that it's a Thai language website. But I'm sure you will get many friends there that are able and willing to talk to you. here is the link: http://www.pantip.com/cafe/jatujak/ Sunnybalcony

Thanks so much for the inspirational ideas! I had my husband read Ray's suggestions, just so he knows what may be in his future! And the college idea--the University is too big and spread out, but I could use the small, private college that's 20 minutes in the other direction. On the same vein--any black flowers that are still blooming in September, to go with sunflowers, to sell to Hawkeye fans as they go down that busy highway? (can of spray paint:)) It sure is fun to see everything finally warm up, and see some actual plant growth! And I love going out to "work" and just feeling happy--not too many jobs out there like that. Your ideas pushed me to offer a bouquet to the country church down the road, for their annual Memorial Day event. I do not have a lot blooming, but I did it anyway--now I can put up the "sold out" sign! Had a nice mix of bearded iris, peonies, wild phlox, columbine, honeysuckle, etc., and already received two calls from people who saw it and my card! I'm sticking my cards up everywhere, and have talked to the sister on the busy highway--we're trying to come up with plans for a stand. Since they just planted 400 apple trees this spring, I think they are on-board. Liza, your gardens are incredible-What great pictures! I still need to make a sign for our gravel road, thanks for the ideas! I like the display at the coffee shop! The think I worry about with a highway stand is the sun and CONSTANT Iowa wind, and how hard that is on the flowers. I'd be tempted to wait until the evening rush hour to put anything out. Thanks again for all your suggestions. I know I'll be incorporating a lot of them! Cathy

Perennial with blade-like leaves growing in a fan shape. They can reach to 75cm tall. White flower with purple streaks in spring. Rhizome has a violet scent. Propagate by dividing clumps. The rhizome should be slightly above soil level. If starting from seed, shake seed in some dry, sharp sand, or nick carefully with a file. Sow at 18-22C for 2-4 weeks, move to ?4-+4C for 4-6 weeks, then to 5-12C for germination. Germination is irregular and can take anything from 30-545 days. Grows in most well-drained soils in sun. Requires little care. Collect roots in the second or third year of growth. Peel and chop while soft, then dry for at least 2 years before the scent is at maximum strength. Grind to a powder. Ribbed seedpod contains 3 rows of seed. Warning: Orris root and leaves are poisonous, and can cause allergic reactions in some people. I live not far from Cleveland, and can assure you that orris does very well in this area. The fan-shaped clump will just get bigger and bigger and is easily divided. I've got a whole row of them at the front of my house, originating from a tiny pot like the one you bought, and they are totally neglected, and get water only when it rains - they are in full sun. They are doing beautifully, thank you. The flower is very short-lived, but very pretty, if you're quick enough to catch it.

As I have tried to make clear previously, I don't dispute that high P levels are relatively more toxic to Proteaceae than to other plant families, but I do believe that many rainforest grevilleas are less susceptible than WA species. Again its a relative thing, and I have certainly found one that isn't. A landscape supplier dumped a truckload of potting mix in my garden, close to some trees but about 6 metres from a G. baileyana. Some months afterwards it died, and on digging up the mix it was full of proteoid roots! Retrospectively, I have realised I have had a much higher proteaceae failure rate since using that mix, so I must find out what's in it. The seller told me it was fine for natives - you'd think that at my age I'd know better than to trust a salesperson, but my problem is I can remember back when most of them were trustworthy. Tony