They will indeed be more fragile than spider webs. Spider webs would be stronger than woven steel cable of equal thickness. Leafing out is no indication that the layer has struck. Stored photosynthate in the form of starches are stored at the base of each bud, sufficient to open already formed leaves. The plant will also translocate nearly all stored energy in cambial tissues above the girdle to push foliage. Layers are a race. Roots must form and establish efficient connections with water/nutrient transport vessels before decay organisms or the tree's natural defenses "clog the pipes". Al

The small potted cutting that I got at a plant exchange in June grew happily outside the rest of the summer doubling its' height. When I brought it in for the winter, and stopped watering much, it suddenly produced a Y and set some buds. All but one of them dropped off. The bud that didn't drop got huge and actually opened!! I was thrilled. Not much fragrance, but it was beautiful! I hope yours' does well for you.

Top 5 wants: Verbascum (the really tall, no water types like bombyciferum, epixanthemum, olympicum, pyramidatum or undulatum) Nicotiana (knightiana or 'Hot Chocolate) Hardy Geraniums Hollyhocks (dark pink or purple) Hellebore (dark shades) On request: Sweet Autumn Clematis - Robin Tatarian Aster - CA Rose campion - CA Hardy pink Geranium - Denise I have to offer: Stachys 'Primrose Heron' - 3 offers 1) Tammy 2) 3) Iris - dark pink/peach/sunset colored and white/yellow, the bulbs are mixed up, so you will get 3 per offer - but it's a gamble which color you will get. 3 offers 1) Robin 2) Robin 3) Nichol *4) Vina *5) CA Echiveria (glauca?) 3 offers 1) Robin 2) Nichol 3) Denise *4) CA Salvia chiapensis - 3 offers 1) Nichol 2) Denise 3) Tammy *4) CA Teucrium hyrcanicum 'Purple Tails' - 2 offers 1) Kamil 2) Teucrium fruticans - 3 offers 1) Tammy 2) Kamil 3) Peonies 3 offers OUT 1) Tammy 2) Denise 3) Nichol NEW Cerinthe major purpurescens "Blue Honeywort" - 4 offers These are just sprouting all over my garden so will be young seedlings, each offer will include 6 seedlings. (I realize it is very late for annual seedlings, but if you could grow these on long enough to set seeds you would have a nice supply for starting in spring.) 1) 2) 3) 4) NEW Hellebore seedlings 4 offers of 4 plants each These are 1 year old seedlings from my white Hellebores, one parent plant is considerably shorter than the other, the seedlings are under the taller plant, and there is a forest of them! (more are available if there is interest) 1)Toni (from want list) 2) 3) 4) * These are tentative if I have enough. I will also throw in a surprise variety pack for Heather :)

Yeah Denise! I can't wait to meet another GWer. :-) Big cheesy grin. AND FOR THE BIG NEWSSSSS... YEAH! I got a special early delivery (there were so many boxes that were large she had to come with an early delivery. Yeah!) We got boxes. She said there may be one or two more that will show up with the normal mail run. I already opened them all and started sorting them sooooooo.... Drum roll Please.... Here is a list of what we have so far... Tammy/Greenthumbgrow - Plants here :-) Sakura Komichi/CA - Box Recieved :-) Bhnash - flowergirl34/Vina - Box Recieved (hugh box by the way:-) Robin1962/Robin - Box Recieved Gardenmom2/Nichol - Zinaray/Toni - Box Recieved Kamiljablo/Kamil - Box Recieved Heatherbon/Heather - antiqueorchid/Denise - Stopping by Friday :-) NOTE on Fran - Sent a letter to let everyone know that she is without phone or internet until they can find another provider in their area. She said she misses everyone here and that she realllly wants to get online but DH won't take her to the library 'just for' GW. LOL. (He just don't understand. LOL) She said sorry she wasn't able to participate in the swap. Some of you sent her plants anyway I will go ahead do the postage for her and ship them out so she will get them. Just a NOTE: EVERYONE Did a wonderful job with packing this time. ALL Plants look wonderful and I am sure 99% of them will look marvelous when you get them (as long as the po and the weather cooperate) I will take photos of the piles before I box them up to give you all a previous of what is to come. I did sprites them with a little water from a bottle to keep them moist on the ones that were not sealed in the the paper bags (if they are sealed I found it best not to disturb them) Vina - Your plants are MARVELOUS. They are HUGH plants. Everyone will be more than pleased with what you sent. (I thought I was listed for one of your sedums? I may have forgot to hit submit on the post I am not sure but keep me in mind in the spring swap if you have more. I really love them.) Oh and fran sent your postage as you agreed with her so now there is double. LOL. Waiting on boxes from: Bhnash Nichol Heather Denise - Stopping By around 12ish. Hopefully the last few come in around 12ish. That would be so great to be able to get them back out today/tomorrow.