I have both black lace and the lemony lace. Both from Rpoven Winners. They are planted about 3-4 away from each other. Full sun. Well drained neutral soil. Watered regularly. Zone 8b, Everett WA area. The lemony lace took off the first year (planted in the spring) and has never looked back. I’ll be pruning it hard this fall. Nether black lack is producing leaves but isn’t any taller than it was 2 years ago. It’s certainly not dead but sure not a fast, showy grower. On its third year, there is not enough to prune. My ninebarks grow everywhere, anywhere, ferociously. I love my copper and dark purple ninebark! I’ve been pruning the ninebark since the first year. I love the idea of the lacy black leaves on elderberry but it seems to be a very temperamental plant that looks good in the nursery.......

I love the golden leafed herbs. Along with the ones mentioned here already, I also have grown pineapple sage and hops flowered oregano. They have the added advantage of not being preferred by deer. Golden Delicious pineapple sage is bright enough by itself but adds startling coral-red flowers later in the fall. Although edible, I planted this with migrating hummingbirds in mind but it bloomed so late that nearly all of them had already gone. Perennial only as far as z 8, sadly. Hops flowered oregano has a multitude of varieties and species, such as dittany, Kent Beauty and Amethyst Falls. Strings of bracts, usually chartreuse with a tinge of rose or lavender, dangle from stems. Tiny flowers may peek from the edge of each bract but the bracts carry the show even after the flowers are gone. I like them for pots. Good for drying. Zone hardiness varies.

Yes, Embothrium! This is the first year I don’t have it stripped by caterpillars, But, I have one single brave deer that walks right down the driveway at night. He’s my first deer problem in over four years so perhaps i sholdn’t complain, but BOY OH BOY can he do lots of damage in one night. I traded in caterpillars for a deer, but at least they aren’t working in tandem. Yes, Ken, I am definitely using the colloquial version of decimate! And, along those same lines, this foliage is truly ”orders of magnitude” more plentiful than previous years at this time! (Thanks, too, gardengal.) Thanks to gardengirl and Rouge for settling my mind. Usually this time of year I’m watching new foliage grow on bare limbs and considering it my sacrifice to keep nature healthy.

No one has signed up for September soooooo how about we each pick 5 or 6 members at random and just send a card with a brief note. A new address list arrived recently and I think several are folks I have not seen any posts from in a very long time. I have been missing from the action I believe since before Covid started. A pack of note cards is still less than $2.00 and even with stamps this will be a thrifty way to keep connected. I hope everyone will send at least a card or two. No need to commit or say yes or no, unless you want To post. I sorta like the element of surprise/suspense. I have finished renewing my master gardener certification and am enjoying participating in that. The classes and program have changed a lot since I first did it about 30 years ago. Showing my age for sure but I'm too old to care Bethb