Being indoors just threw them off their normal schedule since - at least here in Minn - they come into bloom in June. We've still got a foot of snow on the ground here too so workable soil is a ways off, but plant them in their permanent spots as soon as the ground is workable. Water them in, but don't fertilize. (The lilac hedge that hides my property is over 100 years old and has never been fertilized.) Don't trim or prune since you may inadvertantly cut next year's blooms - I wouldn't even cut the spent blooms off at this point. Once in the ground, they'll do what lilacs do - except bloom again in June of this year. Over this upcoming growing season, etc. they should acclimate themselves normally to bloom at the right time in 2010.

Welcome! You can always post a question here, and the folks over in the perennials forum would also be good for this type of question. I don't usually fertilize plants in the ground, and I never fertilize new plants which will have been well fertilized at the nursery. I do add organic matter to my beds before I plant them, either compost or well-aged manure, and then after planting I top dress with an organic mulch like chopped leaves, compost, or wood shavings from the family shop. That seems to be enough to keep my plants happy, and the mulch reduces the need for watering and weeding. In my experience, Snow in summer responds to stress with yellowing foliage and stems. Between the heat and fertilizer on new plants, they've experienced some stress, but I expect will be fine in the long run. They may look a bit homely for now. If they were older, I would suggest cutting them back and letting them grow more foliage, but I wouldn't do that with new plants like yours. Just know that if they do this in future years, you can cut them back and they will put out new foliage and look better. And what you said about it being a work in progress? I think I can safely say that pretty much all of us have works in progress - for me that's what being a gardener is and it's part of the joy of this obsession.

Timely topic as I just bot 2 packages of Buffalo Snow and wasn't sure what to do with it! Thanks, lynnencfan, for your instructions, I'll just pull, tuck, and fluff and hope it works as well for me - love your display. Jaybird, thanks for the tip about the new non-itchy angel hair. I'll look for that as I love how it looks, especially in your display with the lights under. I did some crafts a few years ago using Diamond vase filler, and some faux snow from Michaels and WM and vowed 'never again'. I may use what I have left in an apothecary tho to keep it contained as it is very pretty (as in Karen's last pic), just not when it's all over every surface and the floors! Thanks Everyone for the pretty pics!

Slinkey, I was not declaring 'all mine' as I unpacked glasses and plates and place mats. I WAS muttering Kathleen's name however. DT had bowls, coffee mugs, plates, but no salad plates. I am sure I'd have bought them tho if they had. I didn't want the others. I went back this morning and got my DD's stuff. And NOTHING else. When I got to the cash register with 16 glasses, all those large snowflakes and placemats, and more ornaments. The gal looked at me and said "you were here yesterday too?". I mumbled these were for my daughter, but I didn't like the way she grinned at that. Have a feeling she didn't believe me. And she asked if I wanted the guy to carry the box of glasses to my car AGAIN. I said sure, why not. If DT would let you take the dang buggy outside the store I wouldn't have needed help. So its their fault. Lynne, you found some purple ornies I didn't see here. dd50, don't say the folks here are "no help", they help a LOT. Just not always in the way we need them to. LOL. Shee, you and some of the others often say you saw something and wish you'd gotten it or you'll go back for it, be cheaper (GAS) just to get it the first time and be done with it. LOL Mo, I don't appreciate hearing the word Wal Mart. I'm heading there in an hour for my groceries. That is FOOD not goodies. Lord help me! And I WAS going to Michaels tomorrow but now not too sure that is a good idea. In fact I know its not. Did I mention they opened a Dollar Tree right next door to it? Poor Michaels. Poor Me! Literally, POOR me. I may or may not report back after Walmart. LOL Luvs, I think a bunch doing the Flake Off setting would be interesting, cause its all the other stuff on the table that will make the plates and glasses look so different. Of course Kathleen will probably do fat food fotos of her's, just to be different. Karen holding the EMPTY collection plate still.