The Expo was great but over, so I'll knock this down. Hope some of you were in the crowd. I didn't do the Symposium this year but heard the speakers were really worthwhile. Specialty Ornamentals brought the cutting-grown *fragrant* Chionanthus virginicus/fringe tree I've been keeping my eye open for, so I'm very happy about that. It'll go in at the corner of our new front porch and is a female, so the birds'll be happy too. For our new garden I also got at a great price a 'Wada's Memory' magnolia for the lawn-to-be, as well as a 'Golden Spirit' smoke tree. And a few others. Love it when all these nurseries that cater to the gardening obsessed gather in one place but it's a dangerous thing too...

I did the symposium and enjoyed the entire day. The Expo a really good selection of nurseries with plants that I had been looking for. I spent more than I had planned but thought it was well worth it.
The symposium had a discussion on good performing plants in Georgia and what plants look good together (with pictures so you can decide if you agree). Walter Reeves' discussion on figuring out plant problems and diseases helped me.

So you're actually able to come out of these things with the plants you went for? It's a stretch, but of course I believe you. :) I have good intentions, also, and even a plan or two, but sticking's another matter. This time I've come home with three focus plants that I've now got to go get the plants to form the basic structures around, and I'm pretty sure that's not how it's supposed to be done. But it's fun. See you at the big one next spring, maybe. Happy gardening!