I have TONS of mixed zinnias, mixed marigolds, and will be gathering mixed cosmos (bipinnatus---the pink shades) soon---and there will be some 'Candy Stripe' in that mix. Separately, I'll also have yellow/orange cosmos (cosmos sulphureus.) I have Hollyhocks in various colors, and Malva zebrina. I'll send you any or all of these for postage, since you're a newbie. One word of caution---hellebores are rather tricky to germinate. Since you say this is only your second year of gardening, I'd give them a pass for now. Try to trade for baby plants instead.

Mike, I got the Abies koreana 'Blue Cones' at Gee Farms a year or two ago. Ken, the 'GGS' held it's color nicely last year and did not fade as as I recall. Its needles are also greener than 'Spring Ghost' which are more blue. Here's a bad light picture of my 'SG'. It's new foliage does fade and get lighter. Rc, I thought that was 'Silberlocke', You gotta give us the answers and put me out of my misery. I think I'm in fourth place now. Thanks all, Dan

Rita, can't hardly wait to see them lilies blooming again. Nancy, I love Apricot nector too, its a very pretty apricot color, KAY, sCENTIMENTAL has a very weak fragrance.not real strong, like Ebb Tide does and Blinda's Dream LINDA: Thanks. I am back in my garden a little,I still get very tired real fast and still get weak after a few minutes, but,I keep going back, as I know the outside and the sunshine is good for me.I have always been a outside type and never like being in the house all day. Val, roses are rewarding with the big smelly blooms, but, you are right they have to be sprayed for blackspot,and I have not been able to spray mine yet and they do have some blackspot on them.maybe in a nother week or two I will be more able to care for them better. Jean

My apricot and the sand cherry bloomed beautifully this spring (Los Lunas)and then got froze out, yet about a flat quarter mile from me is a big apricot loaded with fruit. That one had fruit last year, too, even after the big freeze. No point in being discouraged however. At least the mulberries are loaded, and I value them healthwise much more than apricots. Actually at this point this spring the most damaging weather has been the unusual heat (an unheard of 100F twice already) and the hot windstorms. The Fritillaries flowered early so weren't affected, but almost all the buds on the Regal lilies have dried up and the flowers on the snapdragons, except for the species Antirrhinums, look like withered crepe paper. Roses pretty sad. It is interesting, however, to note which ornamentals have no problems on this score--Aquilegias, hollyhocks of course, Erodiums and the cold hardy Pelargoniums, and Salvias among others. This morning it hit 39F and all the tomato seedlings were almost flattened, but now that it's heated up they've perked up (thank heavens).