I've got costmary. In my climate it hasn't grown much at all since I got it about 5 years ago, but it's healthy. It has a lovely smell to it, but the taste is a bit robust for me. Another one you might have trouble getting is Balm of Gilead. Lovely perfume. You won't get the one mentioned in the Bible, however. The one you'll probably get is Cedronella canariensis. Patchouli (make sure it's Pogostemon cablin, not P. heyneaus) has an Eastern sort of perfume to it. Nice, if you like it, which I do. Here is a link that might be useful: balm of gilead

There's an awful lot of misinformation and conflicting info out there on DE, which I'd like to try and help clear up, because I hate to think of folk eating DE with pesticide (yes, some DE has a pesticide bait, such as the bag in the image halfway up the page). First, there are not two, but three different categories or grades of DE: (1) Codex or "fossil shell flour," which is the true food grade and is added to animal feeds as an anti-caking agent to to assist if flowability. If you're going to take DE orally -- and I offer no advice on the wisdom of this -- you want to make sure you see the word "Codex" on the label, which tells you it has been tested and meets certain criteria, including thresholds of safety on contaminants such as arsenic and lead. (2) pool grade, which is high in crystalline silica (the bad stuff), and, as such, works great in pool filters. But it should never, ever be used as a pesticide or in any food applications. (3) This is the tricky category: DE pesticides, which are variously labeled as "natural" pestides for gardens, pets, grain storage and for various types of insects. This is the type of DE you will likely find in the garden section of your local store, and which will be variously described on the bag labels as "insect killers" or "pesticides," and which will not contain the word "Codex" on the label. These types of DE may (or may not) be coated with pesticides. Perma-Guard, one of the better known brands of both Codex and pesticide DEs, explains it this way on their website: "The addition of Pyrethrins and Piperonyl butoxide is to irritate the bug, causing the bug to become active, allowing the DE to work more quickly." These two pesticide compounds are commonly used in lice shampoos and in sprays & fogs for bedbugs, mosquitoes, garden pests, etc. The only way to know if the DE at your local garden center is "coated" or "baited" is to read the label. And carefully. But even if they aren't coated, they are not Codex and are therefore not considered safe for human consumption. I hate to think of folk acting on bad advice and then munching down on DE that is either bait-coated or contains higher levels of, say, arsenic and lead. A lot of people assume that, if it's not pool grade, then it must be the Codex food grade. But there is that 3rd category, from which a good bit of confusion and misinformation seems to generate. As with any thing you use -- whether it's for bugs or people -- it's really important to read the label and to understand what you are reading.

Okay, I FINALLY got my lists together! Sorry for the wait folks, but things have been soo busy these last few weeks! Here's what I have for the swap: Plants: *Apple Red Delicious seedling: Perennial, FS & WD soil. *Canna "Yellow King Humbert/Robert Wallace(these got mixed up & cant tell apart until bloom time):Perennial, FS & moist. Yellow & red blooms. *Castor Bean -Red(R. communis 'Carmencita' ): Per. in zones 8-11, FS & WD. Grows fast, red blooms. *Seeds are poisonous. *Coleus (C. blumei) seedlings: Annual/Tender Perennial or houseplant. PS & moist, WD soil. *Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia Milii): Perennial succulent zone 9-11 or houseplant. F/P sun & moderate water. Red blooms. *Daylily (Hemerocallis): Perennial-all zones, F/P sun & moist, WD soil. Orange blooms. *Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) seedlings-Pink: Perennial succulent zone 9-10, or houseplant. FS & moderate water. *Hosta T-Rex: Perennial zone 3-9, Part/morning sun & moist, WD soil. To 30" high. *Hoya Fungii: Perennial houseplant. PS, WD soil. White bloom w/burgundy throat. Fragrant. Hanging basket. *Hibiscus Sunset seedling: Perennial zone 9-10, FS & WD soil. Red & gold bloom. *Paperwhite/Chinese Sacred Lily (Narcissus): Perennial zone 8-11, F/P sun & WD soil. *Plumeria (P. rubra) seedling: Perennial, small succulent tree or container plant. zone 9-11, FS & dry soil. *Spider Plant Variegated (Chlorophytum comosum): Perennial. Houseplant or outdoors in Part sun. White blooms. Cuttings: *Purple Queen (Tradescantia pallida): Perennial zone 8-11, F/P sun, moist -dry. Pink blooms, groundcover or hanging basket. *Purple Jew (Zebrina pendula): Perennial, Part/morning sun. Hanging basket/houseplant. Bulbs/Tubers: *Air Potato Vine(Dioscorea bulbifera): Perennial zone 9-11, F/P sun, drought tolerant. Native to Asia & Africa. ...for my wants, please see my trade list. It was completely updated yesterday.... Here are my answers to the questionaire... About my Garden: a Which of these best describes your DREAM garden: All of the above (including 'Much larger!, LOL) b Which of these describes your REAL garden Chaotic c. What is your garden colour scape All of the above d. My biggest challenge in the garden is: All of the above e. My garden is Non of the above- sunny & tree roots! f. I know I am a plant-aholic because...... I get dirtier than the kids when we go outside to 'play' and if weather's bad/cold, I bring the dirt indoors! Thanks Frances for being patient with me, and thanks for hosting this swap! Here is a link that might be useful: Chellflower's Trade Lists

ilsonshine - due to the illumination of the theatre district, broadway is also known as the great white way. you reminded me of my mother there for a minute. she always said the same thing "you're my favorite son/daughter your age". poochie, i love that peruvian daff. that's going to become a new obsession! i googled them and a few places that sold them are all sold out. have you had it long? any fragrance to it? does it multiply? i just got my catalogue from colorblends. so beautiful. i also just won a few daylilies in an auction. i want to find a daylily and an iris farm around here, but haven't had much luck. my dahlias were a little funny this year, but then again i don't know much about them. they bloomed beautifully, and then poof, almost like they rotted away. my whole seasaon this far has been a little off on the flowers. some things did wonderfully (my veronica was absolutely stunning this year), others a real bust...sunflowers, can you imagine? they did so poor for me this year! my weeds are incredible, wish i could send you all some, but i rather enjoy this group and want to stay (lol). for years i have been digging up rose of sharon from my uncle's - all different sizes - to build a natural type barrier to the property next door. this year they are just magnificent. they only grow so tall and each one is basically the same height now and blooming in all their pinks, whites and lavenders. and the birds are all nested in their bushiness. i had great luck with amaranthus (does this flower???) and castor bean. these guys are over the top and i am loving them. next year i will know better where to place them. i read and heard things about toxic plants and how people get crazy and yank them out. i planted everything outside my yard, in case the dog would get ansy and want to sniff around it, but i've only ever seen her eat grass when her belly was hurting. as for the other critters, i did have a long involved conversation with a very knowledgeable woman from the PA horticultural society who assured me that animals are not that stupid, one taste and they will know it's off and not bother. there might be the occasion brain dead animal (wishing it was my squirrel) that might go the distance. castor bean is such a neat bush/tree and the flowers are so interesting. my vegetables are scrumptious. nothing like going out back to pick a meal! my arch enemy the squirrel got my first ear of corn though. i won't care if it takes more, just at least leave me one to taste. i'm learning so much this year by trial and error, especially since i winter sowed a lot of stuff, and have been showered with bulbs and plants and everything plantable under the sun from this swap and others, that i'm already plotting and planning on "stay's and go's" and what needs to be moved and all that fun stuff. i only yanked one thing out this year but potted it up because i need to learn more about it. the PA forum says get rid of it, but it's hard to just throw a plant away. pal, my light green glads are just beginning to bloom and they are gorgeous. several other things that you sent me also did very well and i am so looking forward to loving this bouganveilla for a long, long time. beautiful flower pics, adorable son. i too am sorry to hear those dropping out, but can respect and understand their decision to do so. teresa, i will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for your upcoming surgery and recovery. continued blessings on your beautiful new addition and i wish you everything wonderful motherhood has to offer. they grow so fast. mine is 23. i'd take 2 or 3 all over again (only with the knowledge i have now though). To the second person that dropped out, (sorry, i don't know who you are) but if you are watching, i wish you well and continued blooms where ever your heart may lead. lil, i hope you had a wonderful birthday. the family reunion sounds wonderful. are you always the hostess, or is this your turn this year? pleasant weather is wished for you. hope you have some fun games lined up for everyone to enjoy, unless that falls under someone else's committee. you would think i didn't talk to a soul today the way i am rambling on...on that note, i'll stop! take care everyone