It's a little trickier than most broad leaved weeds but I still wouldn't rank it as the worst. Not at all. In a lawn: the best is something containing triclopyr: there are "homeowner" formulations out there, in the big box stores, that are a little weak and use the amine. I'm pretty sure the current version of "Weed B Gone" is tc amine. At the very least add a few drops of dishwashing detergent, because I think they skimp on the surfactant, and use the strongest dilution recommended. It is best to do it in the fall, but it might have seeded at that point, second best is spring, summer is the worst because I think it goes semi-dormant. I personally used a triclopyr ester in the fall and got complete kill of huge patches. A "3 way" formulation works too, albeit not quite as well as triclopyr so I wouldn't bother. Crossbow would work but again that's a "professional" product and I wouldn't recommend it unless you can handle using those. Just in a bed? Use a strong dilution of glyphosate, again, with enough surfactant to completely wet the leaves. Trust me, if applied correctly, it will die. Maybe not until 10 days later, though. When you're done with the glyphosate, please don't drink it or use it as a cocktail mixer. It might 'cause cancer': just as dairy (even organic), red meat, alcohol, or refined sugar might. I just spot treated some tiny areas of it with triclopyr ester, but this late in the season you have to be very careful about the vapors hitting nearby plants if you dealing with it near an ornamental bed. I once got into a bit a trouble with a huge area-wide application of tc ester to kill charlie and violets: we had an inversion that night, totally still air which is very unusual here, and fog formation. The vapor hung in the air and somewhat burnt the foliage of a Cedrus 'Shalimar' and a couple other ornamentals. They survived but it was a learning experience. Nothing would have happened if there had been some wind that night. I share the story to say: be careful with ester formulations. But, violets and charlie are completely gone from the main part of my lawn. (the spot treatment I mentioned was for a side area of grass, near ornamental beds, where I didn't want to use my ATV sprayer)

Hi bluebetty! How wonderful that you are starting a new beginning. Hopefully the horror of Katrina will soon fade. I wish I could help with specific camellia suggestions, but since I'm in Florida, what grows well here may not do well where you are, and vice versa. Almost all of the sasanquas can take full sun if irrigated on a regular basis. There are a few japonicas and hybrids that can also (usually some of the reds..."Royal Velvet" is one of them), but most of them like partial sun with some relief during the day. The lighter colored blooms can burn. See if there is a local camellia society and attend some of their meetings if you can. I just joined ours and the group is wonderful, with many helpful suggestions. The American Camellia Society may be able to research some information for you also. Good luck. You'll have so much fun with your new garden. The whole April series of camellias are so lovely. I hope one of those are on the list of the ones that do well in your area. Sandy

I am afraid I have to drop out to and won't make it this weekend to the swap. I had potted most of my stuff weeks ago and only had a few last minute things to dig, but there you go. :-( My sister is in the hospital, probably nearing the end of her battle with cancer and one of Chip's cousins recently passed away and they are having the memorial service tomorrow. :-( To top it all off, the new job has kept me out of town for most of this month, so that's why I've been so quiet. I think we may be heading south to Boaz, Alabama, either tomorrow (Friday) night or early, early Saturday. Would it be possible for me to drop these plants off with any of you to take to the swap for us? I'm not sure if anyone had any of my plants in mind, and I hadn't had time to arrange any swapping (boohoo! I need a Mexican Sage), but I'd like these lovely plants to go to a good (read: someone else's home but mine now). Can anyone help? I should be able to label things so at least folks will know what they are. From memory, I have: * 'Coronation Gold' Yarrow * Chinese Foxglove (heh, think several of us got this one at the plant swap; likes to move around, but it sure is pretty...) * Amsonia hubrechti(sp?) Great native plant! * Birdseed Sunflowers * Homestead Purple Verbena * Lamb's Ears * Sundrops (if I get them dug...) * Blue Spruce Sedum * Angelina Sedum (probably will have) * Airplane plant * Walker's Low Catmint (if I get some time to dig it up...) * Ladybells (if anyone wants some; let me know) In addition to a Mexican Bush Sage, I was also looking for white cleome (seeds or plants), white cosmos (seeds or plants), Foxtail Lily or Yellow Perennial Foxglove. Sorry I won't make it. :-( I'm very disappointed to....I could have used a de-stress day... But hopefully this fall will be better. --April

I'm so sorry about your father...I lost mine to cancer 4 years ago...its hard to get over, that's for sure. At plant swaps people bring plants, seeds, bulbs, potted plants, bare-root plants, houseplants, anything garden related... crafts, home canned goods, books, and they trade...one on one. They bring a table to put their things on, and a chair to sit in, we also have a potluck lunch at the Middle TN plant swap, which is Oct 21. We label all our plants so that people will know what they are getting when they get home. For more info for our swap, go to jtoothmanindadj@comcast.net or go to our website, midtnplantswap.com. Some people bring a lot of plants, some only a few. A few people have even bought plants on sale, divided them and then brought them. Hope you will get a chance to come next month. SEE YOU AT THE RIVER Jan