So, I'm still here a year later and still trying to decide on trees. We will plant in the fall. We just finished the main part of our total landscape overhaul and I'm waiting for cooler fall temps to put in trees. Since last year, I have discovered a new form of the Little Leaf Linden that has chartruse foliage- I can't remember the name of it, it's some Japanese name. So I am considering that. I am reconsidering planting a Burr Oak but a smaller one based on suggestions here- still not sure about that. I have a perfect spot for a Tricolor Beech that will be protected from the hot southern sun. I want a smallish, purple leaf something but I hate the purple leaf plums (Thundercloud et al). They always end up looking diseased and haggard around here. I'm thinking about a Crimson Sentry maple which is a slightly smaller, more upright form than the crimson king. When you speak of planting 'more interesting trees', I'd love some suggestions. I'm willing to push hardiness zones etc. with other plants but not so much with trees. Too much invested. My soil is strongly alkaline as I live at the low point of the Salt Lake Valley- Salt Lake being the important part of that. My soil ph is around 8.

Thanks everybody! I was so excited when I found it last night that I forgot to look at the tag. It is Ludgers Windsong x Mountain Magic. I didn't think it was opening for another day & just happened to look over & there it was. If the neighbors heard me, they probably thought I was crazy. It was dark by the time I got the pictures so that's all I got & a good thing because when I checked this am, it was chewed up (grrrr). The color is the same as it was last night except for the pink creeping up the bloom. The two tone look has stayed. It is 11 inces from top to bottom & almost 11 inches wide from twanger to twanger. I'll see how what's left of the flower does the next couple days. I have Ys on about 10% of my seedlings but I'm running out of time here. Only about 22 days till the frost date. I have a dream of naming special brugs after my children (big dream since there are 8 of them & 7 grandkids & two of my best friends). Most everyone I know just laughs & says I'll be lucky to get one. Well I have high hopes anyway. Linda

Congratulations on some great crosses, Debra. I love the NA x SOP, the pink one at the top. Beautiful clear color, a bitone, fancy edge, big size, and well-behaved sepals. Looks like a winner to me! I also really like the Sun Bear seedling with the 'exotic' eye. I like eyes that are pointed like this one is. Hope they all continue to look good. Looks like you have some you may need to register! Bob

No, I haven't given up on my attempt to have cucumbers this year. Feeling a bit discouraged, but my Lemon Cucumber and Homegrown Pickles seedlings are still surviving, and I have purchased and planted cucumber starts of Straight Eight, Boston Pickles and Burpless Cucumbers. Nothing is bothering the larger plants and yesterday I put up some caging around the seedlings and put up my "scary CDs" in hopes of protecting them. The only "caging" material I had available, unfortunately, was some rabbit fencing and ornamental wire fencing - rather large openings I am afraid, especially if the finches here are the culprit as they are for you, ! We have House Finches, and they are small enough that I imagine they will find their way through my "barricades" easily if they are determined enough - perhaps the fencing will look dangerous and discourage them! I have never seen this sort of damage before, either, Skybird. and still have no idea why birds would have any interest in pecking at cucumber seedling leaves, mostly without eating them. Thus far I have been unable to catch anything in the act, but since maxinmontrose has actually observed birds doing similar damage to the leaves of his pea plants, I think it is probably birds here, too. Birds are part of a healthy environment and I do what I can to encourage them to be in my yard and gardens. I have bird feeders and birdbaths set up, grow sunflowers and other plants to attract them. I enjoy watching and hearing the birds, even though most of the ones visiting this part of Denver are probably considered common and boring. An added benefit, of course, is that many of them eat the bugs that bother our plants the most - even House Finches, supposed vegetarians that they are, eat the occasional aphid. I can live with this destructive behavior, as long as it is only the cucumber seedlings that attract them! I can't deny a fellow creature her or his need for salad - who doesn't like salads?!? Holly