Thank you for your kind words, its a 75% "food for eyes" and 20% "food for the table" (5% for weeds..). I've only put the Gladioli pics as they qualify the "bulbous plants" category of this forum, there are some other plants in bloom including: Salvias Marigolds Dahlias Sweet peas Dianthus Gazania Phlox Chrysanthemums Cosmos Antirrhinums Nasturtiums Crown of thorns Vinca Duranta Petunia Bellis Four 'o Clocks Begonia and Impatiens.. food plants include Tomatoes, Spinach and Bell peppers, I have harvested the Peas already... Izhar

I'm very glad you started this thread. A few months ago there was another apothecary jar thread that made me wish I had some! I put them on my Christmas list and my daughter gave me these two beautiful jars already decked out for Christmas. She put pine cones and berries in one and greenery with big brass bells in the other. I plan to leave them like this probably through mid February but I'm already trying to come up with thoughts for what they can hold during spring/summer months. They are beautiful empty but it's such a fun way to change things up and bring in color also. I hope lots more of you will share your pictures and ideas. I'm taking notes!

Lovely photos, Sara. Angel Face is a favorite of mine, and despite it's problems, there is nothing quite like those creamy lavender blooms with their scallops and beautiful scent. Your beautiful Heirloom doesn't seem to be having problems with your heat, either, like mine did. Angel Face, June 5, doesn't mind the heat, but is quite tender in the cold around here. Angel Face, September 25 Blue Bayou, May 25, is consistent in color, but shrivels almost immediately our dry heat. Blue Bayou, October 8 Blueberry Hill, June5, couldn't take our heat, so is no longer with me. Heirloom, June 8, shriveled in our heat and has been removed. Love song, the best of all, is consistent in color and can take our dry heat, but is a little tender in the cold. Love Song, May 25 Love Song, October 24Diane

May I make a suggestion for those clearing out basements? Put the teens/20somethings to work on craigslisting/ebaying stuff for you! Think of how much easier it all would be with secretarial assistance! They can: Set you up with an account Take pictures of everything Track down the details for listing (measure items, do an online search for missing manuals, etc.) Haul stuff to wherever you need it to wait for craigslisters (your car/front porch/the curb). You could give them a cut of the proceeds as incentive. Seriously--our basement is a mess and I am not looking forward to future clearouts. It would be so much easier if I had help for the details. You can also put yourself on a charity's regular pickup list. Or several charities' pickup lists--imagine if you had regular pickup of unwanted items twice a month--with a receipt for income tax purposes! If you want to ebay it, how about finding a reseller in your area?