Mary Alice: Sterling was a stray who walked into the garden about 4 years ago. We finally found his owner becuae he was chipped. He had been a little abused I think and took awhile to warm up to us. He had to be an outdoor kitty because we have 3 indoor girls 2 are 19 and one is 16,and he was 4 and fullyloaded with claws. Last Dec he must have gotten into some antifreeze and we had to put him to sleep. I wanted him in the house, but I figure he had a good life with us and loved outside so much, even though he didn't make it until 19! I think he might have been part British shorthair as his coat was SO dense, epsecially in the winter. We loved that boy so much and miss him. Deb

I saw something about that on the news.

Yes I love my work. You can groe them you have toput them in the frig for 5-6 months. They will have to be potted when they go in the frig. When you bring them out make sure you re water if needed. Some times you can order bulbs pre vernalized (sp?). This is were the bulb company all ready did this for you. Not that difficult. If you want these bulbs to rebloom you have to make sure not to cut off the leaves let them die on thier own. When they are completele dorment put back in the frig. Be sure to fertilize after flowering if you want to do this. Otherwise toss them out and get new bulbs to vernalize (sp?). I know me personally don't want soil in my frig. I found a used drom frig and use that for this process only. I have other plants in there as well. I can get crowded. I have a problem with non hardy bulbs. I plant them in the spring, they do thier thing (pretty). Dig them up and store them for the winter. I forget were they are. I dug up glads 5 years ago, I still haven't found were I put them for the winter. LOL :) !!!! But I love my vernalization (sp?) frig.

Gulf Frittilary caterppillars. I have noticed that they can survive fairly cool temparatures and overwinter in the passionflower, as it is a thick vine it provides some insulation. The winter cats look slightly different, with light brown stripes running horizontally down their bodies. I have seen them several years now.

not really?

Thank you so much Mary Alice. Funny that you should envy our perennials. I envy all the fabulous tropicals you can grow year round.

My P Carulea grows like a weed. I cut it back hard this winter, and discovered Gulf frit cats overwintering. My otehr types don't grow as fast. Nut they are pretty.

Good job on the picture, now we need pictures of your garden :)