Yikes, maryl! You've had major problems with spider mites on marigolds there? That sucks. Spider mites are, of course, among the very worst and most frustrating pests we all battle in the summer in the mid-South. And they can show up on just about any kind of plant, but I've never had more than an occasional flare-up on marigolds here. From what I've seen of Oklahoma, though, that may be especially prime spider mite habitat, so maybe you guys have to deal with more of them in all of your blazing summer heat. Still, from what I've seen here in North Carolina, spider mites have been much more of an issue on lantanas than on marigolds. But your experience is interesting and valuable. And I had another thought for a suggestion for your situation as I was strolling through my garden earlier this evening: phlomis. There are a number of species and varieties of phlomis out there, with all sorts of different flower colors, but many of them are just the brightest, clearest, purest yellow imaginable. My favorite phlomis cultivarÂand the one I was looking at in my yard that inspired the thoughtÂis 'Edward Bowles,' although its flowers may be too far into that golden-yellow color that you said you don't want. There's another pretty variety that I used to grow at my last house but didn't bring with me which has awesome medium-yellow flowers that are more like what you're looking for. I can't recall the name of that cultivar for the life of me, though. I'll let you know if I think of it or if I find it in my notes. Regardless, phlomis are terrific plants, and they look good all year and are highly critter-resistant. And much to my surprise, I've found that they don't require full sun, and will actually grow and flower quite well in a spot that gets as little as three or four hours of sun a day in the summer. They don't get very tall, although they do tend to spread out rather wide over time. I find a substantial haircut right after flowering helps a lot. A major drawback for your purposes may be that they flower fairly early, usually peaking about now (April-May) here in North Carolina, although mine also sometimes produce a few stray blossoms later in the summer or fall. I think it would be worth considering. FWIW, donnabaskets, if you think of it this summer, would you mind updating us on how your 'Butterpat' heleniums do? I've always liked heleniums from a distance, but when I got some a few years ago (I don't remember the cultivar name of them, either, but they weren't 'Butterpat;' I think they had some German name, which may have been part of the problem), they got obliterated by powdery mildew by the middle of July, and I gave up on them. But if yours does well in steamy Mississippi, then it would certainly be worth me giving it another try. Best of luck to both of you!

Avedon: If your interested in CAPACITY FOR WONDER, I have two clumps of it and would like to eliminate one. It would be about 5 to 6 fans. I just ask that you pay the postage for shipping and it won't ship till late August or early September. Registration Info:36",Tet,6",SEv,ML and that is very accurate as to how it performs here. With your zone, it may start earlier in the season for you. I just finished photos from early this afternoon and here is a pic of the one I would be eliminating. You might want to find out if any folks in your zone/region grow it and how it does. You can click on my name and send me an email via GW if your interested. Julia

I sowed a seed packet called "parade of poppies" last fall in my ugly area near a dry creek bed...the birds and the winds moved the seeds all over and they are coming up between rocks with no water at all. Check out www.highcountrygardens.com for more wonderful information for all kinds of flowers/grasses/meadows,etc for all areas.

norizam, I will have to look for Clothilde Soupert. Every picture I've seen of her is just beautiful! You know that's when you must have that rose lol. floridarose, We get into the 20's here once in a while. Seems we had quite a few freezes this year. I have a greenhouse for some things. The good thing about growing roses is they don't have to go in the greenhouse. I keep mine in pots for now so maybe that's why I don't get as good of winter bloom. I am starting over with roses here in FL. I had tons where I used to live but it was a very different growing experience there. I am learning how to grow them here in FL and its all different . Nematodes, sandy soil, tons and tons of bugs, humidity, you name it lol. Which dahlias will do well here? I saw some in bags at Lowes- Dinnerplate Dahlias, I think. Would those work? I had no clue Poppies would grow here I thought it was too hot. WOW! I would probably have to stake dahlias like i do the sunflowers, I bet so they don't fall over. SoFL Rose, I just got a bunch of different zinnia seeds. Do you just plant the seeds straight in the ground or start them indoors first? kingcobb, The curly willow branches do look interesting! I think I saw some of those at Michael's (craft store). How large do those trees get (total mature size)? Ingrid, Are you talking about the Buddleja davidii types of butterfly bushes? Yes we can grow those here. I had never thought of using their foilage. I think that would be a great filler. I can always use more butterfly and bee attractants in our yard. They are the reason that I really try not to spray anything...that and being on well water lol. *Beautiful bouquets!!