Susan, I took some seeds from last year's Ipomoea alba and scattered them in spots where I'd like for them to grow. They self sowed last year, so I figure they might actually come up this easily. I bought some red verbena to go in the metal gizmo that a hummingbird feeder hangs from. Butterflies really like verbena, or anything in that family, for that matter, like lantana, porterweed, etc. I'm making a lot of changes in my garden, and I accidentally dug up the Brazilian button, which is too bad, because it's a good nectar plant for butterflies, especially the smaller ones. If I can find a plant for sale, or if some volunteer here, I'll put it in a place where it can thrive. My Salvia guaraniticas, including 'Black & Blue' have returned and are growing vigorously, as is the 'Hot Lips' salvia, which has colonized a bit, surprised me there. I've ordered some tropical milkweed from Almost Eden, and I added some rose red colored pentas to the order, which are annuals here, never return. But they're so popular with butterflies and hummers both, I buy them every year. I love 'Lady in Red' - if I can find it somewhere, I'll definitely buy some and put it in front of other plants, maybe my new Aristolochia tomentosas. I've been working outside all week long, and I've made a new bed for two of the three A. tomentosas. I'll plant the other one on the edge of the woods, also, I dug up a volunteer A. tomentosa that's come up too far from the fence around the garden to be useful. If it takes, I'll plant it on the woods edge, too. I also dug up a volunteer of my own hybrid passionvine to plant in a bed up front. The flowers look like 'Incense' the female parent, but it's got the vigor of P. incarnata the male parent, and gulf frits like to lay eggs on the leaves like P. incarnata. I can't think of any other annuals I've planted - I mostly go for perennials, but there are some that are great for butterflies. I just thought about Mexican sunflowers - if I can find a place for them, I'll plant those for sure, even though they're a bit of trouble to start from seed. Mexican sunflowers are probably the best flowers to use for making pictures of butterflies, being so big and providing that platform for even the biggest ones. Speaking of making pictures, I've ordered a new camera, this one with a good zoom, so I can, hopefully, make some good hummingbird pictures. Here's hoping it's as good as advertised! Sherry

LL, I don't have a veggie garden except for a few lame pots, but I did see something that was very interesting for children, just not sure how ambitious this project might be. It was a large teepee (not covered by anything, just the large branches to form the teepee) and climbing up the wood were all the climbing veggies and flowering vines like morning glory, etc. There was an opening at the front and it was large enough for multiple kids to go in. As an adult I thought it was a blast! I can only imagine how much kids would enjoy it! Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it. I don't think it took up more space than 8 X 8. It sounds like you plan on making this veggie area quite large.

Reserved for Gill, who is to supply address privately.

Annuals are usually the week or 2 leading up to memorial day IMO. Then all the good stuff get's sold out 2 weeks after Memorial weekend, and what remains is what remains..aside from the 8 inch pot, hanging planters. I would have blew my budget by 3fold....as my annuals usually consist of jumbo 6 packs , and many various qt sized containers. With this soupy spring we have, as of today, the annuals are still quite small in ~bedded~ fashion. It's been planted for like 3 weeks + already but if had I had the chance to go back in time, I would have doubled up in density in purchase/planting this year, knowing they might be competing for space as the summer sets in. They have not grown out as much as I would have preferred this season due to weather....can't control mother nature. Many of this years annuals plantings are stressed. Leaves are quite yellow and of course, it rained again today.....