congratulations... those are both nice finds. i'm surprised that the pink ags are beginning to show up at big box stores. it wasn't that many years ago that they were only available as expensive overseas imports. i too have a weakness for ags. most of mine are green, but i have two pinks - Ayn ya manee and sparkling sarah. i think that house plants are one of the few things where you have no idea what you're going to find until you get there. i think that it makes it sorta fun in a way, but in another way it's bad because it makes you think things like "i better buy this because i might not ever see one again." and then plant collecting addiction sets in :-) cheers, nancy

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed info, especially pictures of their red twig dogwoods...it has all helped me to realize that they will be the perfect answer to a beautiful border in my front yard and to keep the neighbor's dog (on a fully extended retractable leash) from running across my "lawn" while passing by 3x a day. I just started searching online and after reading about these beauties and reading everyone's entries...well, I just had to join the "Club" to say thanks (and hopefully contribute and to learn more). I will be visiting the local nurseries here in snowy Vermont to find the perfect specimens to begin my natural "fence." Last Fall I transplanted much of my backyard perennials up front, added a few newbies (ie, Nikko Blue Hydrangea) and some bulbs...to begin a front yard garden...and I don't need any "intruders" destroying my plantings (hopefully the deer will find another way around the yard!)....I cannot wait to see "everyone" in their new home when the weather warms up and the snow finally leaves us...the red twig dogwoods will add immense pleasure and visual beauty...spring fever is taking hold! Thanks for the forum... and to the contributor with the high-rise garden....wonderful pictures!...thank you...Ei

You are hiliarious. Just to add my 1 cent, I'm of the mindset that they're not too root-bound to growup to be nice, healthy plants. There are many times when I've had a much larger root mass than your pictures indicate and have not had problems with my plants (but that's just been my experience). It's a recent iteration of my seed starting efforts that I've engaged in the process of repotting seedlings. Most of the time, I take the seedlings from the starter tray after they've hardened off and plop them into a plot of earth (with the primary problem being the slugs and snails realizing there was a smorgasbord of edibles for them to destroy). And, I've only recently become a 'repotter' out of necessity because I'm running out of space in the garden in comparison to the increased number of seeds I start. I've found repotting just buys me a bit of time...although it's probably best for the plants in the long run. I've honestly not noticed a difference in the growth habit of any of my plants either way but can certainly attest to the fact that I've successfully yielded much vegetation and flora from my collection of root-bound specimen. Best, Julie

Jeanie, I agree 100%. And what I keep telling others and myself. I'm starting some seeds earlier than normal but will also start some at the normal time. Also have invested in some larger pots I can pot up to if I need to hold the early ones longer. But if they get froze after they have been in the ground for a while I will have those started later to replace them. If I don't need the later starts I will either sell or give them away. And I'm not starting my whole amount either. I always tell someone gardening is a gamble but never put all of your eggs in one basket especially if starting this early. I posted on another thread about my visit with my friends and favorite greenhouse owners this past week. He said they've been receiving requests to start seeds for people for a few weeks now. They want the plants ready to transplant no later than April 1st. That is way to early for this area even with protection. I have set out April 10th and with protection the plants have survived and did well. They warn those who order plants so early but they grow for the public and if that is when they want them then they start them. One order was for 100 habeneros for a small market grower who wants the first peppers and tomatoes at his market. The quest for the earliest fruit will never end. My lean to greenhouse along with my cold frames allows me to start plants earlier and to protect them if needed. I plan to build another frame also. Any of us who have been around a few gardening seasons know full well that pushing the envelope carries certain risks. And in the end many times the results aren't any greater. I won't push peppers or ora at all. I'm going to push a few tomatoes hoping to get set before the heat arrives.Jay