Have 25 named cultivars of garden phlox in our own garden and half a dozen No Names that came from the local horticultural society spring sale and that worked out well. Have used the latter particularly in other gardens. Have only had over half of the names cultivars for two years or less, so not sure. Looking out there today, the 'Cosmopolitan', 'Flame Purple' and 'Flame Coral' clearly have new buds opening, half a dozen other cultivars to a less extent. As indicated, the most floriferous of all named cultivars I have, have probably been 'Peppermint Twist'; have had that with half a dozen others for five or more years. A lot of what's blooming now is site specific, e.g. the variegated 'Norah Leigh' in one location is still in flower, but finished flowering in two other locations. The Chicago Botanic Garden comparative study of garden phlox (2011) does include bloom times. I would be very interested to hear what garden phlox have worked for other gardeners.

Thanks everyone! He's an awesome guy. He always lets me put "one more hosta" on the cart or one more Christmas light display in the yard. He digs the holes, climbs the roof, and is learning to control the "rolling of the eyes" when I make him move a hosta or some of our Christmas lights "two inches to the left". This part of the garden has special meaning to him. When we bought our home, this bed was a mess of overgrown weeds, Snow on the Mountain, and a lone mum. The mum didn't bloom for the first two years. One day in October, he got a called from his niece who told him that his brother had died. Distraught, he hung up the phone and stepped outside. He looked down at that mum and low and behold, he saw a single flower, that seemed to come from nowhere. Ever since, that mum has flowered profusely. In his heart he believes that flowering mum was a sign from his brother's deceased wife that everything was going to be OK. He's such a softy! But, this is a testament that gardening can heal the soul. Karen, I don't do theme gardens either. This was totally my DH's idea. However, isn't it great that we can honor our family members who served in the military in our gardens. I have Dawn's Early Light on the other side of that bed, I might switch it with Chesapeake Bay that is to the left of Loyalist and American Hero. You'll have to post pictures when you get yours done! Gesila

Thank you so much, Deb. They're just beautiful. I think I have a couple of your patterned ones - Hankie of the Month! I especially like how delicate and pretty the white ones are. These kinds of things definitely make one's home unique. I have one of my grandmother's and one of DH's grandmother's crocheted doillies framed and hung together. It seems strange to tell my grandson and granddaughter that their great-great grandmothers did them. You're very thoughtful to have looked up those pictures. Dee

Well the metal shavings were from me cutting it open. An electrical failure the inside is always 'dirty' due to burn out reasons. Compressors don't fail that often, I'd say maybe 30% of the time failure is due to compressor related problems. Specific improvement: scroll compressors are the better compressor in my opinion. They are very reliable, problems are far and few between if you're only using *skilled* people to do the work. There are so many choices in equipment selection people often faced with this decision spur of the moment unexpected break down in the heat of the summer. So I doubt people are going to fret over every mundane part in the HVAC unit. Just use a pro like me: easy as pie. Why else would you use a pro? We don't like the pro price, must keep searching for cheaper price. That being said there are those running around like pros, but are anything but. (look at some of the recent threads for clues) Definition of a true pro: someone who can fix the machine you have right now. (in some cases this may mean replacing part of it.) Anyone can fix a unit by replacing the whole HVAC system. However, in some situations an entire HVAC system may be the better choice. (no two homes are exactly alike, no two comfort goals are exactly alike) Foreign made compressors: it's a cost cutting move. I doubt this will change any going forward. The low price is never low enough, so this mentality just feeds upon itself. I sell Bosch *Inverter* equipment, that is German engineered and made in China as an example --this is premium equipment . (it's not going away -- the phone in your pocket was made there, plus a slew of other things we buy with out much thought about it.)