Thank you all, for the kind comments. Yes, as soon as I saw that Savannah Girl, I knew she was mine and just where I would put her! :) She is a copy of a statue that was in a cementary in Savannah, Georgia and one that figured largely in the book and then the movie "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". She was originally called the Bird Girl. Tho I bought her in Fl, she brings back fond memories of the time I spent in Savannah. The gardens and architecture there are just stunning and I spent a lot of time poking the long lense of my camera thru peoples' fences to take pictures of their gardens! Coincidently, the movie was being filmed while I was there-it was May but at first, I couldn't figure out why all these stately homes were decorated for Xmas. It is my intention to photograph her in my garden, each month of the year, to record the changes of the season and as each of the different flowers around her bloom. I designed all new plantings around her when she was installed late last spring, so I can hardly wait to see the full effect this spring. I planted all kinds of bulbs, lupines, delphiniums, balloonflowers, hostas, coralbells and behind her are shasta daisies, purple coneflower, mums and a Miscanthus 'Morning Light'. As you can see, I've already started photographing her and have got the months of late summer to winter.

Hmm, rereading here too. I don't have a "favorite" for hybridizing - but I do have to say that I'm developing some preferences as far as flower form, height, etc. that will guide my breeding more this year. Last year I had a ball, dabbing all over the place. This year I will TRY to be a little more selective, and I've made a few purchases based on breeding potential as well as beauty. I don't have a single favorite breeder (although you all know how much fun I had with 'Ida Miles' last year, because she bloomed FOREVER and set pods like no tomorrow). Now I've got to winnow what I have in my yard down to what I really want to breed with, and plant the others at my friend Becky's house so they can clump up. (Maybe I'll teach her boys how to hybridize with them - that would be a GREAT home school unit, doncha think?) Laurel

Well Brooke, you answered my question from the discussion forum. And here I thought it was you taking the pics! I love those BIG FAT ruffles on your CCxMB seedling! Now can I get that in Deep purple with a light lavendar eye and white fat ruffled edge to go with this seedling? LOL! It is beautiful! Royce, how could I turn down that offer? I would LOVE to have a piece of SR. I got a boxful of Gaskin seedlings today and OMG can I hardly wait to see these babies bloom! Maybe I could interest you into one of these for Lake Effect? One of the seedlings is Braided Edgings x Gilded by Grace. The others are: Open My EyesxDove In Flight....Mind you these were bonuses so I have no clue what they will look like. The other seedlings I won on the auction that I have extra are: A22, A9, A14, A19. You can go to lily auction and do a search of Gaskins click on closed, should pop up a list of her closed auctions so you could see the pictures. Nancy

Oh no SoFl, I bought Sugar Moon on your recommendation and from smelling it in your garden..... I tried it and I liked it so much that I bought another one. Both of them are staying healthy. I really don't understand why some of the ones that do well here don't necessary do well for you and vice versa.... Maybe it is my salt air or something. I think you said you got rid of Regatta, IT is probably one of my best performers. However, I thought I killed it. Someone told me we should cut back to a third, I think I must have misunderstood and it was to be cut back only a third. For the longest time it was touch and go but it pulled through. Even in this heat it is looking good, no chilli thrips. When it blooms it blooms!!! Another one that I have that is healthy (from disease) is Outta the Blue. However, it does get spider mites If I keep washing it off it is also a big bloomer for me. I also have Dark Desire that is happy - no disease or insects. However, it is super super thorny and not a favorite in the garden. Believe it or not it is an own root . I do love the flowers in a vase if I feel like being attacked by her. I always feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and the apple tree scene. Another one that I would claim that is pretty happy here in Florida is Distant Drums. She too is an own root. I figure it they do own root well here in Florida, it must be a toughie.