>The main problem in these parts is that so few gardeners or >nurserymen know what the envelope is. ... Additionally, the "it >won't grow here" mentality is all too often found among members of >the horticultural profession. ... -- the list of >edge-of-the-envelope plants that should be grown here but are >virtually absent from nurseries and gardens goes on and on. Dear Russell; Good points and reason for returning the compliment to Tony Avent who constantly "pushes the envelope". Panayoti Kelaidis too. I blame part of this 'heritage of ignorance' to American gardeners and nurserymen relying on English garden literature. The very different English climate produces literature claiming a plant is not hardy there(even though temps are milder). The same plant is hardy here with harsher temps, but has the summer heat lacking in England. This heat is needed to ripen bulbs, buds and wood. The result is that some plants hardy here are constantly written as being tender because of the English experience. A good reason to support American garden writers more. Of course I often feel the same way about east and west coast garden writers who claim hardiness for plants much to tender for the interior US. Inother words I wish garden writers would get more experience about given plants or only claim 'authority' for growing a plant in their own garden. Meanwhile keep trying and look for micro-climates. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +