Sigh! Wish we could grow Gardenias here but its too cold for them to last thru the winter. They look really pretty and I am sure you will enjoy the looks of the blooms but you must really enjoy the scent. And Abe Darby is quite pretty.

Nice that you have a new daylily bloom. I know what you mean about evaluating, I intend to do that myself this summer in order to move afew out so I can get afew new for 2012.

NICE!! I am so envious of your gardenias!

Rita,
Well, I can't grow lupines, and the growth of delphiniums is very scant in comparison to cooler areas.

But my gardenias are loaded, and I realized the first bud had opened (yesterday) when I passed the area and caught the scent. I do love the fragrance of gardenias and hope to have a few into December like last year.

I am really looking forward to your posting pics of your iris. I am interested in a couple from Rocky Mtn Iris, but want to see a real bloom. And by the way, I can send you a start of that spuria iris that you commented on if you like. Apparently they are not affected by the fungus since it is totally clean and spreading.

This year, I plan to cut all tall bearded iris foliage at the end of the summer so I may be able to defeat the fungus that way. I will have more time since I won't have to go to work anymore. Night shift kills Friday (can't get tired, you'll be at it all night) Saturday (sleep) and Sunday (catching up for not sleeping Saturday night)...if I don't take it off Sunday, then Monday I will be so tired and unmotivated, I'll just drag all day and achieve little.

crackingtheconcrete,

Can you not grow gardenias in your area? I am in zone 7b or 8 depending on who is telling the zone. As I told Rita, all three bushes are loaded with buds.
kay

If I can't grow Gardenias here in Nassau County I doubt they can be grown afew miles away in Queens County.

I just planted my first Delphiums ever this spring. I never had them before. I mail ordered them from Annies Annuals and Perennials. She has the most wonderful stuff.

The Iris are really near ready to bloom, shouldn't be long now. As far as I see most of the Rockytop intros have stalks so hopefully will see lots of bloom.

I do hope you can get rid of that nasty iris fungus. As for the Spuria, I love it but right now have no room to put it. You know how crowded it is around here. I really want to move out afew daylilies to make new space but certainly wouldn't be doing that until the end of bloom season at the earliest.

organic_kitten, I can never get gardenias to overwinter.
I've lost about 6 over the past several years.
I know other people in this area are able to grow them.
What is the name of yours?
I just saw frostproof at the nursery and thought I might try it.

Colorado Moonstone is very cute, but I am in love with that rose! I saw on a TV program that there is now a gardenia that will overwinter in zone 6, maybe that is Frostproof, I don't remember the name. I've never seen it offered around here.

Adding my regrets about gardenias. They tell us we can grow them as potted plants and/or annuals, but I've never had any luck whatsoever. After 5 or 6 attempts, I've reluctantly crossed them off my list. Sigh.

I love Abraham Darby, and your photo is great.

Whoa! It's a shame that Colorado Moonstone doesn't bloom much because that color is awesome!

Never tried gardenias, but I know they smell wonderful!

Vickie