Hi Heather, Didn't I send you some Callirhoe involucrata (Prairie Wine Cups / Purple Poppy Mallow) on a trade last year? Did you have any success with it? Just curious. I have more if you want some. I'm not sure the var. Pedata will be hardy in Calgary... Bev

I have some seeds of what I believe is the first listed on your "want" list. I would trade for some of the Callirhoe leiocarpa. My address is 11119 Burdine, Houston, TX 77096. If you are interested, please send me your address. Just out of curiosity, do these do wel in Wisconsin?

I've seen it around a bit, but can't remember where. I'd look at: Kelley and Kelley in Long Lake Ambergate in Victoria Funkie Gardens in Prescott, WI I know they use it at Noeremberg (sp?) Garden on Lake Minnetonka (not far from, and loosely affliated with, Kelley and Kelley). I tried it a few times but lost it. It needs lots of sun, great drainage and not too much competition (my problem, I think). Seems to me I usually see it at the Friends Sale at the fair grounds. Hope you find it and keep it happy - it's a beautiful plant! Ted

Skip, thanks for the tips, and the link. Do you think it's ok to winter sow in the ground, in a cleared and prepared bed, or do you think I would have better success sowing my seeds in pots ? The only drawback I can think of with sowing them directly in the ground is competition with weeds. Regarding Izel. I posted on here a couple years ago, asking if anyone knew of a source for the native Astibe. A member referred me to Izel. I wanted no more than 3 plants, but you have to purchase no less than 7 plants. The bare roots came cleaned and wrapped in peat. They were showing new growth, and appeared healthy. I planted them in prepared soil, in spots where they would get the required sunlight. 5 of the 7 never really grew and died not long after planting. Two held on by a thread and did not return the following spring. I can't say for sure it was Izel's fault. Maybe when the new growth emerges they might need cooler temps, and maybe the higher temps at the planting time was detrimental. Anyways, I was so mad that I haven't ordered from them since. Now that I'm talking about them, I'm thinking that maybe I should give them another chance. When I told the member who directed me there, my story, he said he also ordered 7 Asilbe biternatas, and that only 2 of his 7 survived. Actually the plants native range is further south from me in Appalachia. Don't know whether that was a factor or not. Izel does offer some very cool, rare and unusual natives that you can't find anywhere else.