Thanks for the note of encouragement, Arlene. My Malvern Hills spent the whole of its first season sulking, but it looks like it might be getting ready to actually grow some this season. I hope so.
It's been snowing all day here. Somehow it seems less appropriate in late March than in early February. Oh well, it will be into the sixties in no-time. And it saves me watering some plants I should have watered a few days ago.