Now that summer is slowing down I have started to add a few auxiliary pages of information. Please see the following web-pages:

o http://www.hostas.com/grasses/families-of-flowering-plants.htm; Lists the botanical family names of flowering plants. The families that this web-site touches on are highlighted. This pages helps to give one an overview of where hostas and ornamental grasses fit into the big picture of botanical classifications.

o http://www.hostas.com/grasses/gramineae-genera.htm; Lists all genera of the Family Gramineae (Grasses) highlighting the genera that are important to man's survival on this plant and important in ornamental grass gardening.

o http://www.hostas.com/general-gardening/usda-hardiness-zones.htm ; Finally, I have found a great USDA zone map that denotes A/B divisions. Permission granted by University of Minnesota.

o http://www.hostas.com/grasses/zone-4a-study.html; Lists the hardiness of hundreds of grasses, published as the result of a 6 year grass hardiness study by the University of Minnesota. Lists grasses hardy, marginally hardy, and not recommended for use in USDA zone 4a. Permission granted by University of Minnesota.

o http://www.hostas.com/grasses/horizontal-banding.html; Comparison of the three different kinds of yellow banded Miscanthus ('Strictus', 'Zebrinus', and 'Puenktchen'). Plant pictures forthcoming in October.

During September, I will be doing measurements of all of ornamental grasses that I mention on my web-site. These measurements will be available probably in Oct./Nov. time frame. Measurements will include the following which should help when deciding on what kind of grass to purchase.

Because of 'El Nino, I have found that hostas are blooming 4-5 weeks sooner here in zone 5a. Hosta plantaginea has bloomed 5 weeks early! Normally it does not bloom until the second week in September. Hosta plantaginea 'Aphrodite' has bloomed for the first time in 4 years (normally, bloom destroyed by frost). Kind of disappointed, have yet to see a really decent bloom. Fragrant varieties need more sun for the blooms, and I feel that I probably have this cultivar in too shady of a spot. Will be moving it next spring.

Hosta plantaginea 'Aphrodite' flower picture http://www.hostas.com/images/hostas/flowers/aphrodit.jpg

It seems that I am getting into Ornamental Grasses more and more. On the other hand, I am relinquishing my hold on our native grasses. I have moved to the corner of the back yard Andropogon gerardii (Big Blue Stem) and removed completely Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass). Their plume heads are great to look at but without an extensive prairie around them to hold them up they lay all over my beds! With limited space I am opting only for the ornamental varieties to be in full eye's view.

The summer's wait is almost over! The plumes are starting to come out on the Miscanthus and other grass genera like Calamagrostis brachystachys, Erianthus ravenne, and Pennisetum alopecuroides and it's cultivars. Gosh, in two more weeks the yard will be transformed! We have been enjoying the plumes of the Panicums for many weeks now.