Viewing comments posted by Trish

85 - OP - Green turning to orange - Bushy 2- to 3-foot plant with good insect resistance; harvest fruit while green before skin turns orange and bitter.

60 - Hybrid - Green with white streaks - Thai specialty fruit

45 - Hybrid - Dark purple - Especially prolific

61 - Hybrid - Purple - 9- by 2 1/2-inch fruits; prolific

60 - Hybrid - White - 7- by 2-inch fruits

65 - OP - Lavender - Good disease and heat resistance

65 - Hybrid - Deep pink - 6- by 2-inch fruits.

60-68 - OP - Purple - Vigorous producer.

61 - Hybrid - Dark purple - Purple-tinged leaves. Good in hot climates.

70 - Hybrid - Violet-pink - Thin skinned and very prolific

75 - OP - Lavender and white - Italian heirloom, very attractive fruits.

66 - Hybrid - Lavender with white streaks - Early and productive.

80 - Hybrid - White turning yellow - Similar to but more productive than 'Casper'; harvest before skins turn yellow.

80- OP - Dark purple - Adapted to Deep South growing conditions; disease-resistant.

60-65 - Hybrid - Dark purple - Good all-purpose, early, large-fruited variety

75 - OP - Dark purple - Best in warmer areas of South and West. Imperial strain has larger fruits.

This fast-growing variety is a cross between Japanese cedar (T. standishii) and western red cedar (T. plicata).

With a conical shape and dense green foliage that holds its color well in winter, 'Green Giant' closely resembles western red cedar. However, it grows an amazing 3 to 5 feet a year, especially in warm climates (zones 7 through 9), allowing gardeners to buy and plant small plants and achieve a tall hedge in less time. It eventually can grow to 30 to 50 feet tall if not pruned. 'Green Giant' prefers full sun but will grow in part shade. It requires minimal maintenance, tolerates poor soil, has no major pest problems, and is low on deer's most desired list.

Based on reports from nearly 800 members in 2004, 'Gemini' hybrid tea rose received the highest rating (8.2 out of 10) of those new roses and was awarded the Member's Choice Award for 2005.

'Gemini' features densely packed, 4- to 5-inch-diameter flowers in coral pink with cream tones. The flowers have a slight papaya scent. The vigorous plant grows 5 to 6 feet tall and can be purchased as a grafted rose or one grown on its own rootstock. 'Gemini' won the 2000 All-America Rose Selections award and now adds this Member's Choice Award to its trophy chest.

'Purple Smoke' has the foliage of the white indigo and smoky blue flowers similar to its blue parent. It grows 4 feet tall and flowers for two to three weeks in early summer (in May in North Carolina). Even after flowering, the foliage and upright, rounded shape are attractive in a perennial border.

Like all false indigos, 'Purple Smoke' has a strong taproot, so it is long-lived and drought tolerant when established. It flowers best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. A 3- to 4-year-old plant can produce up to 50 flower stalks, which stand above the foliage for good viewing and make great cut flowers. 'Purple Smoke' is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9 and is best planted in spring. It is widely available.

(75t days). Vigorous plants produce larger and wider fruits than the traditional jalape-o type. They turn red in 80 days.