i dont have time to google your suggested larch .... but SOME of the larch.. will grow 3 to 5 feet per year.. and i would not consider a garden tree.. short of owning significant acreage ... there are some very nice smaller... blue larch that would be much better for a suburban garden ... and check out larix kaempheri diana for a contorted version .... and dont miss.. L. k. [aka L decidua] pedula ...... superb!!!! i would suggest heat may not the issue .... as you arent all that much hotter than me in summer .... it MIGHT be a humidity issue .... i will leave that issue to the tree peeps ... good luck ken

The Brookside Gardens chapter of the Azalea Society of America has 3 spring sales in the DC-MD area. In addition to azaleas you won't find anywhere else (and at good prices), we have companion perennials and woody plants. The dates are: May 7, 8am-noon, Tilden School (Old Geo'town Rd. in Bethesda) May 8, 9:30-2:30pm, National Arboretum (NY Ave, DC) May 15, 9:30am-2:30pm, Brookside Gardens Visitor Center (Wheaton, MD) Full disclosure: I acquire the plants and run the sales for the Chapter table; local vendors bring and sell their own plants. I get nothing from the sales except lost weekends and aggravation ;^>, but the chapter uses the funds to support programs, give donations to the Arb and Brookside Gardens., fund internships, etc. Here is a link that might be useful: Brookside Gardens chapter ASA webpage

Here is a reposting by me from a thread called "Florida's Warming Climate" that was originally posted on June 19th, 2008: **************************** NovaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a: Global Warming cannot be discounted. However, I will say also that, cyclical climatic changes are normal, and it appears we are on a warming climatic change swing. There is historic evidence that even what would not be the mid atlantic areas of the US, at one time had a sub tropical / tropical climate, as has been evidenced by fossils of palm fronds, and sago cones found in the Virginias and Carolinas. However this shift that is currently occuring seems to have been brought on much much faster, in part, by mans influence on the planet. There is no doubt that man is having a profound effect on the global cycles. It can be seen even in polar arctic ice cap movements / depletions in just the last 40 years. From large scales to small, its noticable if one pays attention. From my personal experience I can tell you that we just dont have winters here like we used to when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. Were single digits were not all THAT uncommon for highs, and lows were at times below zero, and there were many "blizzards" or heavy snow falls of over one foot each. The last great winter storm we had here in the Washington / Baltimore / Richmond area, was the blizzard of 96. 12 years ago. We have had a couple of "larger" snow falls since then, and a few brief cold snaps with highs in the upper teens to low 20s, but nothing like the cold from winters 20-30 years ago. Our Potomac River, and Chesapeake bay never freeze over anymore. I have now had plants that used to be annuals here, that are now becoming perennials, and survive the winters with no permanent damage. Things such as catnip, catmint, thyme...etc mostly survive the winters here just fine and do not have to be started anew from seed each year anymore. Fall starts later and later, and spring comes earlier and earlier each year now. Ostensibly, true "winter" climates and temps are now down to two months per year, and htat is January, and February, and even in those months it is no longer unheard of nor uncommon for it to get into the 60's / 70's here. Musa Basoo, and Red Abyssinian are commonplace here in my area now, and are left outside all year, die back, the corms mulched over, and they come back every year just as big. Seeing those in our area were unheard of just 20 years ago. The area I live in used to be a cold zone 7a, but I now often see it on zone maps listed as a zone 8a, where our urban heat island is, and I find that to be very believable. Anyway, great article. Its great to see when society, or at least certain segments of it, start to actually see the results of warming climate shift. Its real, and its happening. *********************** I will add to that with the imagess below. The images below is zone color legend, and a portion of a USDA Zone Map, that is a closeup on the Mid Atlantic region. You'll note that all of the DOWNTOWN portion of D.C., including most of Arlington County, VA, and the entire "east end" of the city of Alexandria, is in fact shown as a zone 8. Not surprising as these areas are well within the urban heat island, as well as being modified by the tidal Potomac river, which, as stated almost never freezes over anymore. Also of note, downtown Baltimore is listed as zone 8, as well as all the way up the coast into southern New Jersey. The images are rather large, and my take a bit longer to load for those on slower internet connections.

The Eurasian meadow sages grow from basal rosettes, and the stems are dead soon after seed has set, ripened, and dispersed. Don't cut back wood on reglas, greggiis, and microphyllas. New growth should come from near the base and at the ends. You can rub or lightly scrape off the bark on a piece of wood and look for a green xylem, the layer that carries moisture and nutrients. The wood should be supple, not dry and brittle.