We had a nice bit of rain this weekend, thank goodness. The sand in my soil comes from a kid's sandbox that used to exist in my backyard. I tried to empty most of it and dispose of it, but much of it became part of the existing soil in an area of about 10' by 3', which is where the acanthus and colocasias are located, along with some epimediums, typhoniums, bleeding heart, hosta 'Sum & Substance' (I need to divide - it is about 6' across now), begonia grandis, my Japanese Maple, some columbine, astilbe, etc. They seem to like the fast draining soil. I did add some more organic materials to the area last year, and they seemed to benefit from that. Having to water that fast-draining soil, leaches any beneficials from it quickly. I use some gypsum to break up the clay, too. My biggest problem is tree root water steal. My hydrangeas suffer the most, as does my variegated petasites. Actually, the colocasias seem to manage better than some plants, like the acanthus, hydrangeas, and petasites. These would love to be in water most of the time. Most people here have trouble growing acanthus, but I have never had any problems with mine. Breeches envy. Hostas have proven to be more drought tolerant than I would ever have thought. The bright greens, like S&S take more sun than the blues (I have a Blue Angel about 6' across, too). The new Thalictrum 'Illuminator' I got last year, handles drought like a queen. A beautiful plant that I would recommend to anyone. The foliage is outstanding powder blue and keeps coming even in the heat of August, when most Thalictrums are dormant. My indigofera kiroliwii is another great new plant with wisteria-like blooms, that handles the drought well. I really want pendula, though. My pride and joy is contorted mulberry (morus bombycis unryu). A gorgeous tree providing lots of shade with its HUGE leaves - no fruit. I'm also a lily fanatic - orientals especially. Have a few clematis, am growing a couple of aristolocheas, too, and cardiocrinum. What else do you get into? It's tough growing some of the exotics I like in Oklahoma. Susan

Hi - new to the forums, but have been gardening for several years now. I have a shady back yard, and variegated Solomon's Seal looks great amid the solid hostas. Also have variegated petasites gigantea, a variegated porcelain vine (ampelopsis brevipedunculata), variegated lamium 'Hermann's Pride', variegated iris pallida, variegated liriope (yellow/green, and white/green), many variegated hosta (Frances Williams, Revolution, Remember Me, Night Before Xmas), variegated vinca, variegated ivy, variegated sedge, variegated morning glory foliage, several heucheras and hercherellas. That's the back yard. In front, I have the variegated iris again, miscanthus 'morning light', and am growing a first year actinidia kolomitka (kiwi) which should eventually be pink, white, and green leaves. I love the variegation to "punctuate" the sea of green. SusanLynne

esh - the other leaves are False Indigo. About the Baptisia, do think I could propagate it? I've never tried, but I could. Acording to Dave's, "Propagation Methods: From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; stratify if sowing indoors From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel Scarify seed before sowing" But I don't recall seeing seed pods.... I guess I need to pay closer attention. In the meantime, I could put a stem in water and see what happens.

I am signing papers on the house I am selling today. The Daphne odora is so big and beautiful. The fragrance hit me from 50 feet away today, even in the rain. I am also leaving a huge pink-flowered Pieris japonica which is suprisingly fragrant. And the lilies, lilacs, roses, sarcococca, gardenias, garlic (lol), et. al. I have planted most of the things mentioned here at one time or another since I plant to fragrance. So far at the new place I have plopped in a baby daphne and a star jasmine which was potted from the old place. There are already many fragrant lilies, roses and a huge rosemary bush. It looks like I am also going to have a bearded iris forest coming up here. I brought my little 'Miss Kim' lilac with me. I have seeds started for Nicotiana sylvestris for the summer evenings. Haven't thought of using n. alata. Grant, enlighten me on the differences for you. A couple of years ago I found some Osmanthus fragrans at a recycled nursery here in Portland. You never know where things are going to turn up. Amy