Wish I could join you but that would be a long expensive 'party' to attend. lol. I try to make a trip 'down south' once a year, usually Oregon or Washington. I have my botanical garden friends (mostly staff) but their goals are a little different than mine. Mike makes me laugh. If I mention seeing a plant with flowers this time of year he just grunts and says "unnatural - will have to dig it up." He is only partly joking. So I make sure to tell him about the arabis and lamium that still have occasional blooms. He is from Michigan originally but you would swear he was from New England he is so taciturn. Good guy though
