The Hamelia patens is a favorite native plant for many here in Florida. It is a fairly fast grower, almost always in bloom, looks great and it is a HUGE attractor for hummingbirds. But... it's not very cold hardy at all. I live in 9A Florida and even though it is a Florida native plant, I would have to take measures in winter to keep it from dying down the roots. At the moment all I have is a cutting that I have managed to get to root. It isn't quite big enough to plant yet and I should be able to bring it in this winter. I imagine in zones where the ground actually freezes, it would die off completely, but I don't know for sure.

Hi Betty - I assume that you are now in Kenosha. Are you interested in public gardens and/or nurseries? Just outside of Milwaukee in Hales Corner, the Boerner Botanic Gardens are lovely. We were just there early last month and enjoyed it immensely. They have trial gardens for perennials, annuals and vegetables. It was very peaceful. Mitchell Domes in Milwaukee is OK, but not my favorite. The CHicago Botanic is nice too (though a bit more crowded than Boerner). This summer they have a great model railroad/garden exhibit that is worth the extra $3. Just hop onto 94 or 41 and head south to Lake Cook Road. In Madison, I have heard the University Arboretum is good, but can not attest to it personally. The Olbrich Botanic is a little small, but very well laid out and fun to explore. My favorite nursery is just south of Madison in rural Oregon/Stoughton. Take highway 14 south out of Madison to county road A and take a left to the Flower Factory. If you like perennials you will think you have died and gone to heaven. Nice display gardens too. If you get close to Janesville, the Rotary Gardens are worth a stop. If you like Japanese gardens you may want to continue on to Rockford to see the Anderson Japanese Garden. It is a regular on the annual Garden Glory Tour and is open to the public year round for a nominal charge. If you would like to see private gardens on a normal city lot, I live in Woodstock IL (just south of Lake Geneva) and you sure can come tour mine, weary as it is in August. I will even supply the mosquito spray (we have a lot of shade and it has been wet this year...) I could probably convince my friend Linda to open hers up too. We are both primarily perennial gardeners with a special interest in hosta. Here are some addresses according to my book, the Garden Tourist 2000 Boerner: 5879 South 92nd Street in Whitnall Park, Hales Corners, WI free entrance, parking fee Mitchell Park Conservatory: 524 South Layton Blvd, Milwaukee WI $4, children $2.50 Chicago Botanic: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL Free admission, $7 parking ($5 on Tues for seniors) Olbrich Botanic Gardens: 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison admission to the grounds: free, conservatory $1 University of WI Madison Arboretum: 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison WI,free admission, donations welcome Janesville Rotary Gardens: 1355 Palmer Drive (Exit 175A off I-90, left on Palmer Drive) Admission free, donations encouraged Anderson Gardens: 318 Spring Creek Road Admission $4, seniors and students $3 The Paine Art Center and Arboretum are described in this book too. This 15 acre arboertum in is Oshkosh WI and is free, open Tues - Sun. I have not been there. Hope this has been of some help!

nice

Hi Neil, nice plants you have. Wish I could make the trek to San Diego, but muchas grande too far- I'm north of Lake Ontario near David and Rina...and to David re. Toronto C & S show- I was there last year, and going again this year. So, some tips and advice---Bring cash- liquidate as many belongings as you can if you have room for many new acquitions, you will need the cash. And speaking of cash there is no plastic transactions, if I recall, so 5's, 10's, 20's, Loonies, Toonies, ( plants are priced at even dollar #'s i.e. 4$, 5$, 6$, 12$ 21$, etc...- there is lots to buy). And it may be too late, but start working out. Begin with lighter weights, then incease to your maximum ability---the crowd is ferocous, so you will need to be fit to compete with the c &s starved crowd. Ovaltine works too. It's a beautiful place with lots of other demonstration gardens inside the greenhouses...and stay out of my way, I've been working out in anticipation :)