I love Japanese Maples, but they will not replace a large shade tree. You should decide what you want the tree for, a specimen tree or a shade tree. pat, we have a nursery here that specializes in Japanese maples and other trees. We bought a small waterfall maple from them. I also have a red-ish purple lace leaf. Both are about 3 feet high. They had a lot of damage from last years freeze, but have come back. I'd like to get more. I want a coral bark (a neighbor of mine has one that looks fantastic all winter long) and the one with the leaves that look like painted fingernails. I can't remember the name.

I dunno. I've had good luck with their cherries at least. Our Minnie Royal and Royal Lee trees have settled in nicely. I was a little concerned since the trees had already broken hibernation probably due to their low chill requirement but I needn't have been I guess. The trees were nicely pruned and had good calipers too. Admittedly one took longer to acclimate but it may have been due more to my planting technique than anything else.

At first I was thinking it was common field bindweed, but my bindweed leaves don't have that prominent white veining on the leaves and they aren't really heart-shaped like the leaf in your photo. If it blooms, though, and it becomes apparent that it is bindweed, pull out every bit quickly before seeds form or you'll still be pulling it out 20 years from now. There are many, many forms of bindweed, though, and I am sure I haven't seen all of them. I'm inclined to agree with Dorothy's belief that it may be one of the vining milkweeds. Look at the link below and see if it strongly resembles your plant. Even if your vine is not identical to the one in the link, it may be similar enough that it helps you identify yours as one of the vining milkweeds. Since the ladybugs are there eating the aphids, they are a non-issue at this point. Lady bugs are great garden helpers and aphids are one of their favorite foods. Here is a link that might be useful: Vining Milkweed

roxanne - well I guess that about covers it. But there's only one exception I believe was not covered: music. Have you tried singing to it yet? I've heard many people talk about how singing to their plumeria helps them root faster and cures all kinds of ailments! Black tip, root rot, etc. Perhaps a little luau music in the background would help it feel at home? Depending upon it's age, a little Don Ho might do the trick. Or if it's a newer cutting, maybe a little 'Iz' or some Ho'onua? If it's an American native, maybe some Jack Johnson would give it a little life? If it's a really new cutting, perhaps some Bruno Mars. And if the family tree runs really deep, maybe a little Mozart or Bach would give it a lift? You never know with these things but it's sure worth a shot! ....Okay, so none of this would really pass the scientific sniff, but I had fun writing it up :-) May your plumeria root strong and provide many years of joy and comfort! Cheers! Dan