Good afternoon GB - glad to see your clems are blooming despite being left to fend for themselves. Did you loose any? Baby Reed made me smile - what perfect little features. Ei - I'll have to go smell my quercifolia as I've never noticed any fragrance. I cannot remember now which cultivar it is. Michelle - hope your case Shingles is not too severe. It can be a rotten experience - take care of yourself. Chelone - glad Rex is doing well and being such a good patient. Cynthia - any updates on Katie? Last night really lived up to Michelle's title for this Idyll - a hot summer's night. Never the less it turned out to be a great evening with the Chicklits (our book group). We had a wonderful selection of food, lots of wine and good book talk. David came and played his guitar to us while we ate - he played so beautifully it almost brought tears to my eyes. A friend of my sister's from New Orleans has just moved to our town and I was able to introduce her to the group. It turns out she moved in 3 doors down from another book club member and both have sons the same age. I love it when you are able to introduce people and feel they will enjoy getting to know each other. Only one of the group was up for a swim and we floated in the pool under the stars with fire-flies flashing till late in the evening. It felt sooooooooo good. Another friend chatted poolside, entertaining us with stories of her wild youth. We've known each other for over 10 years and I would never have guessed at some of those secrets. We're all rather conventional now, happily engrossed in raising children, PTSA, jobs etc. but sometimes it's fun to remember earlier carefree days. Today I had a work lunch - it was social more than work, and I had the chance to see a training video I was filmed for earlier in the year. I was mostly pleased with the sections I was in, but thought I looked decidedly "wrinkly" especially on my forehead. Perhaps it's time to splash out on some Oil of Olay Regenerist. Tonight there are leftovers from last night (an easy supper), then David has Karate class. I think I should probably shoot for any early night too. Hi to all Mary

pink and purple vitex red and purple smokebushes sweet autumn clematis---- keep takes a year purple small bell clematis----- same will goodwin clematis---- same yellow tangatica clematis (grew some from seed 3yrs ago)--- should have germinated, dump watermelon crape myrtle brgdy gallardia oranges and lemons gallardia blue spruce sedum frosty morn---- dump sedum neon----- dump salvia forest fire, blue queen, empire red, red and orange, yvonnes (very bummed) dk pink, may night. blue mist bleeding heart.----- has to have fresh seeds likely to dump copper canyon daisy gloriosa daisy astilbes 4 kinds solomon seal---- takes 2 years red cardinal flower---- keep sometimes takes longer black magic dianthus emily McKenzie crocosmia (lucifer is up) rock rose senna ligustrina something blue eyed grass liriope pink echinacea hot pink phlox turtle heads monkshood------ seed has to be very fresh, keep for another year just in case oriental lily---- warm, cold warm or warm at 64F 3 kinds of rose of sharon lavatera----- dump strategically red dinner plate hibiscus pink clouds hibiscus monkey flower----- dump cilantro coleaus------ dump black pearl ornamental pepper triple yellow datura----- some need GA_3 to germinate well triple purple datura (tried both of these 3 yrs now) yellow and violet cleomes (5 others up)---- dump lantana mandevilla vine pink coral vine orange and red trumpet vines lavander hyssop----- dump raspberry wine monard semiastrata blue stokes aster hairy balls

To answer your question Iris Gal, no I am not starting a business. I'm just someone who loves Iris's and lost most of mine this summer. Can't stand the thought of not being surrounded by their beauty this coming Spring. Walter could you please email me and tell me more about your iris's? I am pleased to know that some of them are your babies. However I have no ideal which ones they are. I look farward to hearing from you. Best Regards Marian AKA Lovely Iris marianwinnsboro@hotmail.com

Linda, I have very little trouble with insects or diseases on my hosta. Last year was bad for cut worms, but they were only on three or four plants. The Arboretum doesn't spray anything or have anyone going out at night with flashlights. They're also right on the lake. The four lined bug ate some holes in my So Sweet #2 on probably 10 leaves, but it must have 200 leaves. Second flush covered most of the holes and I could cut off the damaged leaves if I wanted to. A couple of other plants had one or two leaves damaged by the four line plant bug, but that was it. I think hosta a fairly carefree plants. We, on the forum get all wound up about our precious babies, as we want them to grow perfectly and be photo worthy. Most of us also watch them closely. However, most people just ignore them and they do just fine. Try to relax and enjoy them (and I will, too). bk