Lucy, Being fairly new to this gardening with perennials I actually find it encouraging to hear that folks such as yourself are sometimes surprised by a plants growth. This is one of my greatest challenges, judging size and growth rate after even a single year. 40% - too close to something, 40% - too far away, 10% - just right, 10% - I just don't know.
Polly, The C. Lucifer will begin bloom in about a week. The Emberglow is only just starting to put up bloom stalks so I think a week or 2 ahead of last year.
