I just wanted to compliment the National Capital Area Chapter for the incredible display and sale I got to attend Friday - it was well worth the 6 hour drive home from the DC area (which usually takes 2.5!) I had to leave too early to experience the entire show, but I had a good peek in through the open doors as judging was in progress, and look forward to seeing pictures on the Ges. society website later on. Came home with some true treasures - some Hemiboeas, Lysionotus, and Sinningias that I'll trail here for hardiness here once I've propagated them.

Since my main focus is growing gesneriads as perennials, I probably will never enter a show, but I have gorgeous clumps of Sinningia tubiflora, sellovii, and "Butter and Cream" blooming right now which have been in place for several years. Titanotrichum and Hemiboea subcapitata are looking good, but will bloom later.

Thanks again for a great morning in Silver Spring!

I'm sorry to hear you missed this flower show! This turned out to be (1) our biggest convention in our society's history and (2) our biggest flower show as well. There were so many more flower show entries than they were expecting that they had to crowd the plants on the tables.

I was similarly impressed with the diversity and quality of plants on the sales tables. I'm glad you picked up some plants to try outdoors--your choices are good ones and with good drainage I think your chances of overwintering them are good. Lysionotus, in particular, needs to be more thoroughly tested for hardiness.