KRIS — Thanks for those kind words. I have to agree that we do become somewhat repetitive because we write so much about our own gardens and favorite plants etc. I see your name in the comments of blogs I follow. Add reading and commenting on the blogs we follow and there is a lot of time spent on that in addition to writing our own. Like most gardeners I keep making changes because I'm tired of something and updating to deal with climate change. So I think there will always be something new to say.

DANGER - I think I went from 5 to 3 days a week around the time you did. And it’s true there is no noticeable time savings, especially if you write informatively and include all the Botanical Latin etc.

CHAVLI — Thanks for those kind words. When you get to this age, suddenly you realize that if you want to do certain things, then others have to go in order to have the time and energy to go forward. I love reading blogs and have enjoyed writing mine, so we'll see how this all works out.

GINNY — I've said I'm going to cut back a few times over the years and haven't really done it. So we'll see if it really happens. I love your "name' as an old lady gardener myself.

JERRY — ​It has been so hard physically and emotionally on gardeners (or at least this gardener), let alone the garden, to not get rain. I can't even begin to imagine months with nothing. I can't really complain since we got two inches a week ago. But it looks like that's it for this month. Sept. and Oct. used to always have wonderful rainy days but not recently. With three days in the 90°s this week, I was doing a lot of watering.

KRISTIN — I have greatly enjoyed spending time with you in person. We're hoping the road is done by the end of September. The drought has made it possible for them to get ahead of schedule. They mostly didn't work yesterday, except for a survey crew, due to the heat I'm hoping. They worked the day before when it was 99°. Ugh. We were going to put out a cooler full of water and then realized another neighbor had done it. Hoping to get back to gardening now that it's going to cool down for a week. But it sure would be nice to get more rain.

CHAVLI — Once you mentioned it, I actually began to think about how that Hosta might look. Initially I did think the Hosta would get lost among these big guys. But the color and form difference should be enough to make a contrast.

A NOTE TO ALL OF YOU— All the comments on this post have been fascinating and helpful. I usually look at Missouri Botanic Garden, Mt. Cuba and Chicago Botanical Gardens for plant info. You would think it would occur to me that the Mt. Cuba trials might not be all that useful in my climate. CBG is a great source of info because they are so much closer to me.

DANGER — Six hours of rain is not that unusual here. We often get (or used to get) a day or two or three in a row of nice rain that was great for the garden and did not cause flooding.

DANGER — Given that there are two kinds of Cyclamen that bloom in winter and late summer, it can be confusing. All of mine bloom at this time of year which may be earlier or later than is typical due to zone and climate I'm guessing.

JERRY — Your cyclamen success suggests that maybe I should try again.

JERRY — I am really impressed with this Allium. Much stronger stem, foliage and flower head than my 'Summer Beauty.' It makes 'Summer Beauty's' pale lilac flowers seem blah in comparison.

SUSIE — T​he flower is as big as the vase! I was afraid it might fall over.

hb — O​ne of the guys is a retired landscaper and he actually toured our garden and was very complimentary. His job on this project is just walking around with a big book of everything that needs to be done. He checks things off as they are accomplished if I understand it correctly.

CHAVLI — In late 2021 I pulled out all the Hostas that filled this space but two blue ones. Thrilled with my redesign. Allium 'Millennium' is a new one that all of us Madison gardeners discovered at our botanic garden which is a wealth of information and inspiration.

BETH — Definitely need more rain. Started watering again this morning.

KRIS — A Geranium I've never heard of. I'm going to have to look that one up.

BARBARA — I am hoping I like it in the garden as much as I like one flower in a vase.

BARBARA — Yes. That great burgundy color is a big part of the reason to grow this one.

DANGER - Apparently hardy to Z6 so it might survive here. I think our winters are too iffy now that we’re not getting good snow cover to plant if outside.

hb — I saw your Eucomis and thought mine looked like a sibling.

BARBARA — If Mark wasn't taking photos and meeting the crew so we really see what the job entails I think we would be very frustrated.

BARBARA — ​I remember being in Vancouver, BC and there were no screens on the windows and no AC. It was disconcerting to me to sleep in a room with an open window which could let anything fly into the room. Nothing did but it sure was a different attitude and climate.

FRANK — That waiting for the reward is harder to do these days. I feel like time is flying for me and the shrubs are all still in their "first year sleep."

BARBARA — I am about to do the same thing with a Hydrangea. Looks like it will be a little cooler and yes, watering will be a must. I tend to deal with things when I have the time and energy, even if it's not the recommended time for the plant.