Wow, Terri, that Silene is gorgeous! I don't think I've seen it in bloom anywhere around here. How pretty!

Catmint, I love your amaryllis tree! What a great idea. And your daughter is adorable!

Hooray for tomatoes in December! But are we in Georgia? I *really* should have planted spinach this fall. It would have been the longest harvest ever. My fault for not planning it well.

As for me, I feel like I've died and gone to Happy Hunting Grounds or Temple of Heaven, as this nerd finally got to see the newest Star Wars. I'm a complete sci-fi geek, through and through, and seeing this movie in a theater full of other nerds was exactly what I needed. And my Christmas shopping is done!

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone!

SSG, you crack me up. I'm glad you enjoyed the Star Wars movie! Lowell and Suzanne saw it on Saturday night and came home raving about it. She had reserved tickets ahead of time. I love sci fi movies but not crowds, so I think I'll wait until the newness of the release dies down a bit Sci fi nerd that you are, did you dress up in character? I can just picture you and your husband with lightsabers in hand ha ha ha...

Can't sleep tonight and am wide awake at this crazy hour. I will have to leave for work in another hour or two and know I will be uncomfortably sleepy once I get there. At least it is quiet this week since most of the folks in my office have taken off until after New Years. They all have end of year use or lose leave. In 30+ years, I can't say that I've ever not used my leave throughout the year to have any left by now. They obviously aren't gardeners taking advantage of great weather gardening days

Glad you were able to see the new Star Wars movie, SSG! I'm like Aspenhill and will wait till the crowds die down...

Use or lose--that's a pipe dream for me, too!!

I don't mind (manageable) crowds, but I do mind standing out in a crowd, so no dressing up for me! We saw it at 10 a.m. and the theater was packed! Lots of families, young men, couples, a mom with an *infant* (no more than 2 months old) who thankfully slept the whole time, as we all cheered and hollered throughout the movie. I'm still basking in its glory.

In gardening news, the begonias have finally died. Now I need to replace it with a winter basket. It's right by the front door, so I don't want the basket to stay empty all winter. Hm... Maybe I'll stop by HD or Lowes and pick up a winter container. I considered making my own with cuttings around the garden, but I don't have a lot of berries, and no cones at all.

Terri, I don't know how you get up so early every day. I was up early this morning only because I had a dream about Snoop Dogg. Yes, seriously.

Marilyn said:If it isn't rabbit resistant, then I'd have to plant it into a tall enough container. We get lots of wild rabbits year every day of the year.

I found one (Silene) in the database that is suppose to be rabbit resistant. I used to grow it years ago (for one season and it died) and am going to look for it for 2016. Maltese Cross (Silene chalcedonica)
Maltese Cross (Silene chalcedonica)

WOW! I've some (established) Snopdrops blooming! I've never seen them blooming this early.

I'm going back outside. I just came in to tell you.

Hi Marilyn, I took your suggestion and posted the silene picture to the database. There were some others already posted of a close up of the flower, so I only did the one of it en masse. I got an acorn for posting it

Last winter, while I was musing about what to do in the garden, I saw an article on snowdrops. I never knew there were so many different kinds! I decided that I wanted to start a collection of them on the Fern Bank, and planted 5 each of 5 different cultivars this fall. I found out that finding more than a few cultivars is difficult and pricey in the U.S. - most variety is only available from U.K. sources. How exciting that yours are already blooming! I wonder if the Hellebores will have accelerated bloom times this year too

That sounds really pretty to have 5 different cultivars intermingled, Aspen!

I'd like to see the new Star Wars also, I just haven't been that inspired. I guess I was a bit underwelmed by all the pequels and sequels. The other thing I figured out is I was only 25 when the original came out.

Ric, the prequels were just awful, imho. I think this one is just as good as the original series, although DH prefers the 1977 movie.

I hear Fine Gardening magazine has a nice article on snow drops this month. I really need to get a few of these bulbs!

I think I found that article. http://www.finegardening.com/f...

Eric4home said:I'd like to see the new Star Wars also, I just haven't been that inspired. I guess I was a bit underwelmed by all the pequels and sequels. The other thing I figured out is I was only 25 when the original came out.

I am looking forward to seeing it. Lots of hype. Yes, those originals were such a long time ago.

So where in the Star Wars time sequence is the new one placed? (I saw all the prequels and sequels when they first came out ages ago)

This one takes place around 20 or 30 years after the events of episode VI, Return of the Jedi.

thanks, SSG--that's helpful!
It sounds like it's really good, so we'll need to put it on our list.

It was so long ago, I can barely remember what happened.

I get Fine Gardening magazine. It is about the only one I still subscribe to. The article on snowdrops was a good one, and there was also one on magnolias that are on my "wants" list now. Great magazine.

Catmint20906 said:That sounds really pretty to have 5 different cultivars intermingled, Aspen!

I agree, it does!

ssgardener said:I hear Fine Gardening magazine has a nice article on snow drops this month. I really need to get a few of these bulbs!

I think I found that article. http://www.finegardening.com/f...

You're right! I bought that magazine last week, laid it down and forgot about it. I'll have to read that article.

Is it that good?

Newest orchid blooming ZGA Sweet Jade/ Sweet Cheyenne