Dear Lee and Dear All, Yes.....!!! I fully agree that it always is a great experience to visit other plant people and their collections. Most if not all of them are a very friendly breed of people and on many occasions I have been given plants, cuttings or seeds very very generously. Especially during the time I lived and worked in England I was treated so generously that I almost felt ashame as in those days I rarely had anything to return. Now I have the problem of lack of space (and time) and have to limit myself quite often...... greenhouses are ALWAYS too small and always crammed. Many of the people I visited for their plants have become friends and mutual visits have resulted and regular contacts remain. So I do encourage like minded people to get in touch with each other and do extend this invitation to people who come to Germany..... I am always willing to receive people. And thanks to Lee and others who received me during my trips to the US. I also would encourage you to open your garden to the public on special days. We have such a scheme here in my area for some time and it is running very sucessfully. I think the idea to open private gardens to the public comes from England. After some hesitation and fears I spoke to the intiators of the local scheme (who themselves live in a wonderful setting of an old nursery turned into a live-in-greenhouse) and they convinced me there was no risk. Since I open my garden and greenhouse twice a year I have ALWAYS had wonderful days with a lot of sympathetic people turning up. Most striking is how many unknown knowledgeable people live nearby...... And another more selfish side effect is that I know "they" will be coming.... so it helps me keep things more tidy...... and less crammed...... I'm sure you know what I mean..... (smile) Greetings from a very warm summer in Germany..... heat lovers are performing well for once! Uli