Good Afternoon, Teisa...thank you... Do you have Dahlias? If so, can you post photos? I only wish we lived in a warmer climate where certain bulbs/corms don't need lifting. :) Auron, Oh, sorry about that..Eventually, your garden will be filled with various Dahlias. Right? :) Since you're a volunteer, maybe when it's time to lift, they'll give you a few corms to start out??? What a nice hobby... Do you talk to the people who now reside at your old place? If so, you should ask if Dahlia's made it through, last winter. Last winter was so darn icy, unlike the year before. Perennials that have been around a long time, froze. Serioulsy, I was upset. One was Musa/banana, hardy to z5 and up. I don't know your location, but maybe you should wait until spring before planting??? What time of year do they dig bulbs/corms where you volunteer? Yep, all 3 are dinner plates..Actually, dinner plates were the only Daliah corms available..Purchased locally. Thank you. Oh yes, I agree, Orchid flowers are beautiful, too...maybe it's me, but my orchids don't produce any award winning flowers. lol. But, members here who post their orchid pics have amazing orchids with the lovliest flowers. Do you have orchids? I Googled and Wiki'd Daliahs. According to Wiki, there are 36 species, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. "Flower forms are variable, with one head per stem; these can be as small as 2 in (5.1 cm) diameter or up to 1 ft (30 cm) ("dinner plate"). This great variety results from dahlias being octoploids" AND: "The stems are leafy, ranging in height from as low as 12 in (30 cm) to more than 6��"8 ft (1.8��"2.4 m). The majority of species do not produce scented flowers or cultivars. Like most plants that do not attract pollinating insects through scent, they are brightly colored, displaying most hues, with the exception of blue." If you go to Wiki, type in Daliah, then scroll down, there are pics of Daliah's with spider-like blooms. One is 'Stars of the Devil,' (spooky name, lol,' and 'Karma Sangria.' Both are very pretty. They remind me of a Zennia I used to grow in the garden.. Although dh IS a Bozo, I think it was someone else..Sometimes, kids sneak out of their homes, cut through yards, trample my garden plants. I found a pack of Camel cigarettes on the side of the house the other day. I wonder if Daliahs will grow in containers??? Toni

I wish I could only plant all my favorite trees right into the ground... I have always dreamed of one day being able to plant an Olive and Michelia right next to my house..lol You yard must smell so good and well as those whom have them as hedges, my goodness...Yes, mine is just growing new leaves,,,It's quite strange..I though full sun and cold temps triggered blooms, but not so here. I don't get it. I have 6 trees of all different sizes and not a one budding...I wish I could get them to flower by now, but it seems to me they stay green and healthy almost all year...Oooo, if it does not give me any flowers, especially my 8 foot tree that I can barely carry into the house anymore, it's going to sit outside all winter in our blizzards..I'm serious..lol I have just a mind to let it go. Now, you have to go to the zoo! Do you have any idea how happy all those animals will be to see you? They love to see faces and then you can get a pic of that tree. It must be just about to set flowers by now. Boy, do I wish I could see one of those up close. I hope yours does the same as you still stay on this earth nice and healthy for a long time..I hope it's not like a cactus that outlive a human life span before it flowers..Goodness. I hope this winter is much milder than the last. I would be afraid that if your tree goes through that again, it would not make it..Watch for the long range forecast..If you think it's going to be brutal, try to see if you can insulate it? If you are anything like me, if it has to be insulated, then it's tough.lol I got tired of insulating my shrubs and fig tree. I stopped that and if didn't survive my winters, then it didn't belong out there...I find native trees and shrubs that can handle such cold temps a lot less nerve racking and less work. It's always good to see your pics and your plants. You do such a wonderful job with them, especially your gardeinas! I am going to call you the Gardenia Whisperer. You have a way of making thinks look so delicious... Thank you for sharing and I'll be back soon. I have to dig up a pic for you speaking of Sweet Olives)

I fell in love with this azalea when I went to Callaway for my birthday one year. These azaleas were in full bloom. After several years, I bought one at a native plant sale. Now it blooms happily next to my front porch. On my birthday. It's a wonderful plant and a lovely summer flower. Razorback, thanks for the link. I'd never heard of that Park, but I think it would make for a nice day trip with the kids.

I have the feeling that you cut off the bloom possibilities when you cut it down last fall. The blooms on the native wisteria I have come from the places where there were leaves last year (I hope that makes sense), so if you cut off almost all of the branches/growth with leaves, there will be no blooms. Mine does throw out blooms a couple more times over the summer; not as huge a display as in the spring, but still, blooms are blooms. I'm sorry that you had to cut it down to save it, but it will make it up to you next year.