I'm a bit jealous frankly. I wish I could get blissfully obsessed and distracted like this. In the past the simple joy of planting too many seeds or anything having to do with gardening, especially with spring on the horizon, has never failed to serve as a healthy diversion from bad news and problems and provided something to get excited about, to look forward to. Not anymore, not now anyway. It seems our country is being slowly enclosed in an envelope of darkness and everything else seems trivial and insignificant. I hope I can snap out of it but with some new self inflicted crisis everyday, its difficult.

it's hard not to wonder just what the eff is wrong with me

==>>> rhetorical, right???

ken

rather varied selection of astrantias to add to my umbel love affair.

Love astrantias...which ones are you sowing this time?

I love umbels too,...you helped turn me on to them. I was smitten when I came across my first Angelica giga in our garden. It didnt self seed last season so I planted three more but I am not hopeful. What do you suggest Campanula to maximize the chance of this biennial returning or seeding successfully?

Most of the angelicas are either biennial or very short lived perennials ...apart from the rather good US native a.arguta - although am not sure of how hardy it would be for you Rouge - my nursery friend has one which has been flourishing for over a decade. I am finding that not all umbels will set viable seed and gigas is especially unpredictable...but you might keep an eye open for the darker angelicas such as 'Ebony' or Vicar's Mead...and this year, I also acquired seed for a dark flowered carrot 'Dara' and trying again with pimpinella rosea (didn't get fresh seeds last year...which is something of an imperative with the apiaceae family). I am sowing Hadspen Blood and a few from the Gill Richardson group and the paler but very reliable Roma. Oh yeah - thalictrum reniforme also.

Tex - this is precisely why you need to double down on seed sowing right away. Your garden has always been highly political - environmental, water-wise, native, local, sustainable and deeply embedded in the history and culture of your beloved Oklahoma...and as such, is a perfect riposte to the small-minded, profit driven, short-term destructive ideologies which are driving a wedge between US citizens. We are activists when we consciously and deliberately make a statement of intent based on deeper principles than fashion or other lightweight fripperies. What we do...and how we do it is our manifesto...and every act of sharing, swapping, creating and growing is a poke in the eye to all those who wish to impose a spiteful agenda of looting, breaking and extracting profit from the lifeblood of other living beings.

Yes, very worrisome times; easy to get angry and upset about what is going on the the people around us. I am so thankful for gardening (and painting, and cooking, and quilting, and my Christian faith, studies and discussions with my husband.) All this, my real life, has kept me from sliding into despair. Campanula--great comments!

A Baptista sphaerocarpa poked its little head up today in one of my pots. I love when those bigger seeds come up and push up the potting soil, looks so frisky and alive. Also, the Mountain Mint came up, talk about teeny tiny plants. I'll probably end up frying them in my sunny window. They came up very easily, a bit too easily if you get my drift.

I was hesitant to type that because I don't think its appropriate nor do I have any desire to get into a political back and forth discussion on a forum like this (or anywhere else for that matter) but I'm really scared. The recent developments are grotesquely disturbing and its affecting my state of mind. These are worrisome times but I've been observing and commented on Hot Topics (on one of the not so 'hot' threads) that it appears a long dormant patriotism is awakening due to resistance. We are for the most part a good and generous people even if we don't look like it right now to the rest of the world.

I know, texasranger2, a lot of us are really scared. So we have to say something now and then or we might spontaneously combust. :)

Tex, mountain mint is pretty tough...I bet if it gets a little extra water, it'll be fine (and yes...it does self sow easily). The patches in the wild, tended to be thick.

Yes, I am not happy right now, so much going on in so short a time (it's been only two weeks).

Texas, I am truly moved by your comments. I feel so much of what you are saying. I have to tell myself that in trying times we have an incredible opportunity to see the light of the human spirit. Most of us are good, kind hearted people, and always will be. Without experiencing the lowest of lows we never fully appreciate our highest moments. We will get through this and we will be kinder more aware and compassionate human beings for having gone through it. Hugs from your northern neighbors :)

We are for the most part a good and generous people

I think nothing less than this...always have.

The difference is, your government, until this past November 16th, was generally a pretty good reflection of this inherent goodness and generosity.

I pray that "we" can get through the next 4 years w/o a catastrophe....there is no way he will be good under pressure.

but you might keep an eye open for the darker angelicas such as 'Ebony' or Vicar's Mead

I looked everywhere last season for 'Ebony' but w/o success :(.

sigh... it is winter here and .I can't work off my sadness and disbelief in the garden....my mind is empty when I garden. How I would welcome garden breaks from the my frantically checking my email for the latest "Breaking News" .

I there's a curse/hex something like "May you live in interesting times".

Am I making that up? I know I'm not making up these 'interesting times."

Wish I could grow plants from seeds, If I do Not winter sow I am a complete failure,

Do not despair people, just yesterday I found a very small blooming viola while poking around outside. And remember, God is still in charge. Personally, I thought he was trying to tell us something 8 years ago. Just my humble opinion.

Maybe I can imagine myself as a seed afraid to sprout because the environment won't be safe. Afraid to germinate to face the next round of horrible news. Spring brings little of its usual joy, that's for sure.