First off, I wish to apologize. The sphaeralcea "munroana" is actually Sphaeralcea ambigua. LOL, Al! I also wanted to comment on your comment that you thought this was a good ceanothus-blooming year. I actually think mine were more intense in color and bloomed better last year when it was wet. They bloomed earlier and more blooms, however the blooms do seem to last longer than last year. Yet another variable is that I believe you had more rainfall than we did this year. A lot of the storms never reached this far south. Diana, I had a few problems with dogs in the beginning. Most people in my neighborhood use leashes, but they would let the dogs come into my yard. They actually broke some plants. I labeled the plants for the garden tour and left the labels in. People seem a lot more respectful when they know it's actually a plant. Maybe labels would help, unless, of course, your have leashless dogs, then I guess a fence would be most efficient. Buddyben, I haven't heard of that, but I did give my natives a little watering last month. Since this is their "growing season", they can certainly handle it, and they will look a little better and delay summer dormancy.

I have had them in the flowerbed for 4 years. They come back up and bloom every year, but you have to plant them en masse to really get a cool effect, and then, they are gone! I planted mine in an area where there are perennial butterfly plants so that when their blooms go, there's other stuff to pick up the empty space. The best time to get these is in spring when the bulbs first come into the store in those plastic bags. They are cheapest to buy this way (maybe $3 each) than waiting til the nursery has taken it upon itself to plant, sprout and bloom them for you, when I have seen the cost be as much as $10.99. If you thought that you were going to have that great flower all summer, $10.99 would be worth it but when you know its going to be shortlived, its not

Thanks everyone! ac91, my Carding Mill starts off a darker shade of apricot and fades to the color you see in the picture. I love the color at all stages. rosiewells, I do not have my pole wrapped in wire, but I wish I had thought of that. This is an old telephone pole that is not used anymore. There is a newer one next to it. I simply put some nails in it and tied string from one nail to the next. It seemed to work. Now I just sort of wrap Peggy into herself. It's still a work in progress. I am just loving this time of year!

S Perfume, G Thomas, Crocus and more ... Unknown ping pong ball sized super smelly one. I really hope some hawk eyed expert can help me ID this one. I'm really intrigued by the bloom quantity and fragrance. Plus it seems to stay small- about 3 ft tall. Unknown ping pong ball sized super smelly one Distant Drum and Pat. Surprised to see them grow so well in what I believe would be 4-5 hr mid day sun. Giant trees in the east and west of the bush Olivia Austin? Queen of Sweden ??? More of giant bloomed MW 12 footer giant Abe. I planted own root this spring in front part of the garden and I am all worried that Abe and GC might eat up my backyard ha ha Unknown Munstead wood. Cannot wait for my tiny own root to produce such huge blooms Unknown Austin. mild citrus fragrance with delicate petals. JTO (easily tennis ball size) JTO Unknown beauty Unknown 12 Feet beauty. Smelled of string licorice(myrrh?) and Golden Celebration Pat Austin