Isn't it wonderful getting more sun? I've had lots of treework done (mostly Norway maples and thinning), and my lot has gone from mostly shade to partial shade. I want more sun! I have a plan with my tree guy to take down the last huge Norway maple in my yard as soon as the snow melts (we have about 2 feet right now). I can't wait to get rid of that thing and grow more stuff. :-D I grow bronze fennel and it doesn't produce the bulb. That is "Florence fennel" and it's a cultivar of Foeniculum vulgare that has an enlarged bulb. It is similar to celery but has a mild sweet licorice taste. I cook them with brussel sprouts and carrots, or other winter veggies. It sounds like the pesticide applicator is targeting the woody plants. Hopefully he won't hit the host plants. Next time you see the sprayer, I would go over and ask him about the herbicide. Probably Triclopyr or 2-4-d. I think they kill broad leaf plants but not grasses?

'Lochinch' is a hybrid rather than a pure Buddleja davidii. The general behavior is for trees and shrubs to store energy in both stems and roots. With roses in particular, since these are cane growers that renew from a bud head, if there was any kind of shrub that stored nutrients more in the roots than in the stems it would be a one like this. Another cane grower, Himalayan blackberry is supposed to be sprayed with glyphosate in the fall because nutrients in the canes are being sent down to the bud head at that time. The herbicide taken in through the leaves is expected to join the procession and concentrate in the bud head, killing the initials for next year's new canes. What is supposed to be wrong with hard pruning of shrubs that may die back in winter is that the frost damage starts at the ends of the stems. The thinking is that the longer the stems during a dying back episode, the more stem will be left afterward. Unless people living in Asian hinterlands have been making USDA Hardiness Zone assignments the one used here in the US for butterfly bush is based on experience with it cultivation, on this continent. Other Garden Web chatter has tended to settle on it becoming marginal in USDA 6 (back East).

I'm surprised you were able to wait that long! (how did Kitty take losing his new nap perch?) Your mantel was beautiful when it was UN-done, now its just stunning. Bet you were grinning like the Cheshire Cat while decorating it too! The tree is very pretty, but that swag you and your sister did is really the attention-grabber! And the lights under the curtains, well the whole thing looks like a professional holiday decorator did it. Do you guys 'hire out'? I'll be calling you next Christmas, LOL. I have to ask....where on earth did you find that fantastic blue glittery fabric? It REALLY sets the stage for your nativity! EVERY thing is lovely and thank you for the tour. (more, more, more please) hugs, Karen

Some of you, having heard this story before, may want to skip on through. As for the " 35% annual rate or more on some of their money ... guaranteed ..." in the story - it's possible. Apart from low or 0% temporary teaser rate, most regular credit cards charge 18% or so annual rate on balances owing carried over the first billing date, which figures also include purchases made on the day before the billing date. Since most of the stuff that most of us buy using the card is not deductible, if we are in the 25% income tax rate, we must earn $24.00, pay$6.00 in tax, and have $18.00 left to pay the fee on a $100.00 loan. That's without counting that they charge and bill every month, which adds up to more than 18% per year. That's without counting any extra fees for paying less than the minimum required monthly ... or being a day late with the payment, etc. If one chooses to use a store-issued card, most of them charge about 28% annual rate which means that a person in 20% tax rate must earn $35.00, then pay $7.00 income tax, to have $28.00 left to pay the fee on a $100.00 loan. A good reason to make doubly sure that one pays off one's credit card balances owing in full, every month. Which I claim to do ... but didn't this month: was about 7 days late. Getting stupider, day by day, it looks like. How many days do I have left, did you say that you guess there may be? ole joyful ... who often takes life rather seriously ... but not full-time