Thanks to all. Christine, I'm not sure where you are but looks like the US. I don't think you can post divisions to me in Australia, but thankyou for offering!
Gerry, I'm sure there are some amazing ones! Those on the list are probably inexpensive fast growing ones since they were on special. The site I was considering is an area in between two huge plastic rainwater tanks. Depending on where in that space I put them, they could have some morning sun, to practically no direct sun but bright light, or if further back could have a short glint of late afternoon sun. I could put smaller more dry tolerant varieties under my huge apple tree 8 1/2 metres tall and wider). It gets watered but because of the apple tree roots is harder to keep the soil as moist as the other site. I have other potential sites on the south sides of my sheds.
Ann, rainfall here is about 800 ml a year, but it comes in big bouts, mostly in summer, with long (sometimes two months or more) dry spells. I would be relying on the moisture retention ability of the soil, the shade, and a heavy mulching to reduce the amount I have to water. But I can water them, just not every day, maybe once to twice a week.
Gerry and Ann, in looking through the varieties I was quite taken with the bluest ones, those with a really intense emerald green like Squash Casserole, and the very glowing golds. I love the ones with really textured leaves such as Aqua Velva and Love Pat, and the giant sized ones. I like those that form a mounded clump, those that have the flowers held well above the foliage and flower quite heavily, and the ones with a strong fragrance as I love fragrance in the garden. I don't like all the forms of variegation, but some variegated ones that appealed to me were Paradigm, Lakeside Spellbinder, Kiwi Full Monty, El Nino and Bright Lights. However to begin with I wish to select inexpensive and tougher varieties to see if they are able to grow successfully in my garden before I get too adventurous!
Thanks again for helping
