My granny has taken a piece of a willow branch and rooted it in a potato, somehow the potato causes the branch to root and it did grow in my yard. Now since reading this I'm scared because I planted my willow away from my septic, but it is close to a drainage ditch that is filled with rock that I have going around my house (it keeps my house from getting flooded). Also curious I had several different trees, a holly, then an arborvitae that died, first the leaves dropped from the holly then the ends of the limbs turned black and it eventually died. My granny didn't know what it was, thought it was a disease of some sort? Then the arborvitae did the same thing, the ends of turned black, so I watered it excessively and it died too. Does anyone know what causes this blackening of the limbs on trees and plants?

Willows are terribly annoying and I hate them. They pop up wherever you have standing water, are weak wooded, and limbs crash down regularly during storms. I wouldn't have them anywhere close to a house, septic system, ornamental ponds, etc. LOL I do love the look of wattle fences and other similar projects, which is one reason we tolerate our willow trees.....so I can eventually do some of that sort of stuff myself. I'd love to plant a weeping willow on the edge of a pond, but hate to unleash another willow on our landscape. Sometimes I have willow trees sprout in my garden, undoubtedly from seed produced by the willows that pop up on the banks of the small retention pond at the NE corner of my veggie garden. Be careful about using willow as the portion of the project that goes into the ground. I've heard of people cutting willow limbs to use as plant stakes or fence posts, and then having that somewhat fresh willow sprout and create a million headaches. Someday I'd love to make willow bentwood outdoor furniture. Doing that is on my "one of these days" list. Dawn

It is New Years, My Birthday, The 4th of July and Christmas at my house today. I received my box from Anita, and Im just in awe over it. I hope I donÂt miss anything, and here is what she sent me! BRUGS: Milk and Honey Peaches and Cream BULBS 10 Allium Bulgaricum 10 Fritillara UVA Vulpis 10 Fritillaria Meleagris 30 Brodiac, Queen Fabiola DAYLILIES Chines Offerings Dearly Sweet Green Flutter PandoraÂs Box Pixy Deception ShelbyÂs Song (OMG, THE FAN IS HUGE!, and IÂm so thrilled to get it. Shelby has hit the five mark being in remission and this plant says it all!) Strawberry Candy Undercover Angel Vera Biaglo Winter Masquerade HOSTA "SUGAR AND CREAM" CHOCOLATE VINE SOLOMON SEAL PINAPPLE LILY CD-Flower Master Avon tea light and holder "All about Apples" Autumn scene puzzle Nice note cards and Envelopes Fan light If that wasnÂt enough she sent me an insulated lunch box with>>> Candy bars, Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, Tuna Medley with Sundried tomatoes & basil (yummy, hubby and I had these for lunch!) Pecan Pies (We had this with our coffee for dessert.) Capri Sun, Wild Cherry Lemonade on the Go ANITA, ANITA, ANITA, I don't know what to say, this box was incredible, and be sure that another box will be heading your way next week. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! LIFE IS GOOD! Annie

Thanks, Ladies ... I've planted many grasses & I can't get to the tag in the ground...the grass has grown too much around it...so I looked in an album I keep with tags from the plants...this one planted in 2005 & it's stayed in one clump...clump has gotten larger but managable. I think it is "Maiden Grass" ... Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder' (Silver Feather). I put a link below to show a pic... Janet...it's zone 5 to 10. & LOL...the snowman plates were 75 cts. ea from GW last wk...I posted this same pic earlier to show my finds! Here's what the grasses in that basket outside arrangement looked like when I posted it in Sept...grasses still look quite good & even better, I think: jane...I've never tried "hair spray" except on Cattails...my g'ma used to do that to make them last longer in the house...but I always thought it was funny when they burst! (even if they burst gently!) jane...I'd love to take credit for "hiding the wires" but not the case...these are the Willow Branch lights that I coveted last yr. & waited for sale prices ...then they were gone! (everywhere gone!) So this yr I bought them at Gordman's (which is kind of a l/2 price store) & then had a 15% off coupon...so a real nice set for $20. If you Google "Primitives by Kathy Nature's Glow Willow Twigs, you see them...this set can be used indoors/outdoors...3 stems, 96 lights. There are others out there now, too, & some cheaper ones. ladypat & purplemoon...thanks! I do love playing! And all the "Enablers R Us" make it such fun! Jeanne S. Here is a link that might be useful: Maiden Grass