Dear Friends, I am really enjoying the small spring anemones right now. I grow a variety of A blanda from the typical blue in all shades from pale to deep blue-violet as well as pink shades and the named 'White Splendor'. Although they do seed around a bit, none are even vaguely weedy. They are just past peak now, but have an extended bloom season depending on the weather. Even after a few nights in the mid- to low 20s F they are still looking great. They are really great additions to the spring garden. Two other similar goodies are A ranunculoides and A nemorosa. Right now the former is at its peak with bright yellow flowers. I have both the typical single flowered form and the double flowered form. I also grow a form called 'Pallida' which is a pastel yellow that blooms with A. ranunculoides, but is sometimes listed as a form of A. nemorosa. Very lovely. A nemorosa are just starting. they are seen in a color range from white to pink and blue, some with a tinge of green in both single and double flowered forms. The first to bloom is A. n. 'Robinsoniana' with pale blue flowers. It is an English selection that's been around for years, but not always as available as it should be. It is one of my favorites. Some have larger flowers, but I prefer the small flowered forms that are more in keeping with the delicate foliage. They can stay in bloom for weeks, but quickly disappear after blooming and remain dormant most of the year. I used to grow Anemone sylvestris, but it did not persist. I especially like the double flowered form and should try this both again in a better location. These make wonderful seed heads of white fluff. I do wish I could grow the single forms of A coronaria. I love these, but they are too tender her, alas. I am sure there are more tuberous spring anemones. They tend to get over looked perhaps because of the perception that they are small and fleeting or just too low priced to fuss over. I say : Try them. They are mostly low priced and easy, hardy and vigorous even in my rough climate. Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +