FG is the only one left on my subscription list, and that largely due to their excellent index, pronunciation guide and on-line back-up. . . Jackie, YOU have touched on something that I find really stimulating - catalogs.....many years ago, they were pretty lame compilations of seed and/or plant lists, frequently with drawings instead of photos. With so much competition today, glossy catalogs have really come into their own; I often wonder if White Flower Farm started this whole trend, for at one time their catalogues were not only a joy to look at, but also to read (much less so today) and loaded with interesting garden information. Then, there's the late, lamented Heronswood catalogues, which were such classics that I think a lot us of hoarded them; and we still have Tony Avent's gorgeous (and delightfully off-the-wall) catalogue from Plant Delight's. Over the past few years, I've taken to ordering (it's so easy online) a few new catalogs each year, just to get me through the winter, and have often discovered wonderful new sources as a bonus. Try the David Austin Roses catalog (stunning) or even pay for the always valuable one from Fairweather Gardens. . . Carl

Resurrecting an old thread but curious to see how Byakko has done for you Rouge. It is SO unique but also pretty pricey. I have read that it requires "perfect" conditions to show the variegation that is so prevalent in the nursery photos. I would guess this means rich but well-drained soil and keeping it consistently moist but not over watered. Some AM sun and PM shade. Aka pretty much the same ideal conditions under which all woodland plants thrive... I've also read it can take a few years for the plant to show variegation. oI'd be interested to hear if you've got any other recommendations of Poly that thrive for you. I am just now exploring the many gorgeous varieties. I did add a mini variety last year to the border of my shade garden hoping it does indeed clump up and form an interesting ground cover. Our winter has been brutal, so I'll be interested to see if this little guy made it through and how vigorous/clump forming it ends up. Polygonatum prattii

Do you mean Growing for market? I subscribed to that, have for the last 9 years or so and find around 90% of the issues well worth the price. www.newfarm.org has tons of market growing information

My top two for good articles and photos are Fine Gardening and Horticulture. Country Living Gardener has beautiful phoots but often leaves me screaming - poor photo captions and key info often missing (in my opinion, any plant touted in a national gardening magazine should always be id'd with botanic & common name and zone info. I know, I ask a lot!) I gave up on Martha Stewart Living for several reasons, most unrelated to gardening. I would skip the subscription but pick up the annual gardening issue at the newstand - I believe it is the March issue. Brutal personal opinion - Birds & Blooms is targeted at women over 60 who love "cute." Don't mean to offend anyone. (At least Eddie has already weighed in - I would have been worried if he picked this as his fav!) Herb Companion is usually pretty good and a little more offbeat. I haven't read much of Mother Earth News, but if you have funds for several, I would throw one of those two into the mix for a little alternative spice. Eddie mentioned Garden Design - after several years I let this one go. More and more emphasis is being placed on furniture, and every issue features someone who has enough money to hire a gardener who has the time to tie the miscanthus into cute little bundles with raffia. I'm not making up that last part.