I do have a white garden a section of the whole garden, if you don't count the coral Lycoris radiata in August nor the pink Crinum that I cannot kill nor the Spring and Fall crocus. It is unlike Vita's in that hers included many grey leaved plants to extend the effect. My leaves are an emphatically green background for the flowers, Taxus media, Vinca minor (white flowered), Nandina (white berried), Daphne odora marginata, Skimmia japonica (white berried), and the various leaves of flowering plants, roses, ('Katharina Ziemet', 'Blanc Double de Coubert', 'Sombreuil', 'Ilse Krohn Superior', 'White Pet', 'Mlle de Sombreuil', and 'White Maman Cochet' - 'Bolero' died but will be replaced in multiples), Helleborus niger, H.xhybridus and bulbs, Tulipa 'Purissima', Narcissus 'Thalia' and Colchicum autumnalis alba. The Gardenias, Citrus trees and Tabernaemontana grandiflora (an unfussy gardenia relative) reside in this patio garden in the summer so I guess that's more white. Cath

My seeds that germinated so fast were from Scooter too! I'm waiting for my next batch from her to arrive. She must be doing something to keep them from drying out too much while in the fridge. I read that some hybridizers put a damp paper towel in the bag with the seeds while they are in the fridge to keep them hydrated. That's what I've done with the ones I put back into the fridge last week. The others that I received last week are beginning to germinate. These seeds were drier so it took 36 hours before I saw the first one poke out. I started 6 new cups today- though none are "full". A couple of these seeds were squished in transit but I soaked them anyway and they seem to be the first ones germinating in their cross. Another thing I read is that some hybridizers score the seed casing with a razor blade to speed germination. So maybe I'll try that with some of the hard to germinate seeds. A couple from this vender were 2-3 seeds to the cross. That will challenge my space planning a bit as I try to count on 5-7 per cup.

You know, I really need to give Epimediums a try. For some reason I just haven't been able to embrace that foliage. Seeing all of the favorable comments is making me rethink my ways. Glad to some of you others (not all apparently, lol, though I do agree they can be sort of Sci-Fi) like the Euphorbias. I've got 'Glacier Blue' and it does seem more vigorous than my old stand by 'Tasmanian Tiger'. I've got several green leaf and other species and hybrids in green and variegated forms ('Helen's Blush', 'Helena', and a few of the variegated lower creepers). They're just fun (to me anyway) and they really do have good year round interest. I've never had a seedling, but I do dead head them religiously, and do see them self-sowing in other gardens where people aren't as compulsive. You'll love your variegated Weigelia. I didn't really think about it but you're right: they're lovely in several seasons. I inherited a huge old one two gardens ago and used the foliage as filler in flower arrangements. About half of the stems would root in water and I'd just give them away. That plant looked great early spring through late autumn. Lemme check....hmm...yes, you're giving me a craving! Keep the suggestions and opinions coming. Besides the great suggestions, it's fun to hear who likes/dislikes what plants. Different strokes for different folks and that's what makes each of our gardens so fun. Take care, Grant also suggesting bergenia plants too which have interesting foliage (especially if you find the newer variegated forms) and interesting flowers (I know, it's Barbie Mattel pink more often than not, but hey, it's color and you can find some milder colors too).

Hi Frieda. Without being at all presumptuous it seems to me that you want from an historical novel exactly what I want - a tale well told. A tale that holds together both internally with a consistent voice and externally with some regard to that slipperiest of ideas - historical accuracy. It would be a trifle disingenuous of me to say that I care not a jot for the integrity of the historical framework that underpins a novel. I think I just allow the novelist a little more leeway than you in terms of the elasticity of the "facts" he might cobble his little tale together with. Of course egregious errors in the retelling of indisputable history will bring a novel tumbling down for me as much for you - perhaps we just differ in the definition of "egregious". Further to your dislike of "presentism" I suggest you never pick up Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire . Just finished reading this examination of Spartan society and the Battle of Thermopylae where three hundred plus Spartans plus a few thousand allies held off a Persian army of some hundreds of thousands, inflicting grievous losses and giving Greece time and inspiration to save itself and perhaps western civilization as we know it. Perhaps your mention of your own concept of "presentism" made me hyper aware of any examples in the text but it was riddled with it. Battle plans develop "new wrinkles", soldiers imbibe "snootfulls of wine", are exhorted to "dump 'em but be ready to hump'em" when they rest their shields. Despite speaking in a declamatory and formal style worthy of Homer most of the time and engaging in lengthy, philosophical conversations about the Gods and true meaning of courage, fear, love and warfare the Greeks at various times decide that a priest is "full of s--t", the enemy are a bunch of "d--k strokers" and "a-- f-----s"". In fact the "f" word is dropped so many times at times it reads like a novel of modern army barracks life. Worth reading for the battle scenes alone - I'm a sucker for blood and guts - but nearly ruined as a novel for me by that newly defined mortal sin of historical tomes - "presentism". Thank you Frieda. Larry