Charlie, I'm in S. Central PA, not too far from TMI (10 mile radius) but North of Reeser's Summit, which seems to make a difference in growing conditions. I've noticed the garden shops in the county South of us sells plnts that are less cold-tolerant than the shops in my county do. (That's why I'm not entirely certain I'm in the 6a region.) The Black Horehound label just said "Black Horehound". It looked like regular horehound except it didn't have all the white hairs over lighter green that white horehound does. It was darker green but not really black, and had the usual scalloped edges to the leaves. I can't remember what reference on the Internet said it was poisonous. " The onus is on the buyer of the plant to know if that plant is used in the kitchen or not and how it is used. The nursery is not responsible for the assumptions of a buyer nor what they may put into their mouth without knowing for sure what it is and how it is used." Actually, Fata, whether there is any onus or not depends on how the nursery is selling the herbs. If they have a warning sign up they're covered. IMO, if they don't, and someone is poisoned, it serves them right if they are sued, especially if they are selling the plants contiguous to things like garden vegetables. The garden shop made a real mistake with the black horehound. I think the sign behind it was for white horehound, and all they had was the black, which is why I purchased it. ASA I realized it was not like my usual horehound, would spread, and was just an ornamental, I pulled it up. It was an attractive plant, but in the earlier stages of growth it was difficult to tell them apart, and I use my white horehound quite frequently. It is all well and good to believe that everyone has the resources to research herbs, but there are still people in the USA that can't even read, let alone have access to the Internet. Luckily for most of them, they also cannot afford to purchase herbs from garden shops.

Claire, you're right, this is a shade-dweller. it's a Philodendron, maybe 'Black Cardinal' hybrid. Is it still in the same pot/soil in which you got it? It would behoove you and your plant to solicit a more in-depth, longer-lasting convo about caring for it in house plant forum.

Last year (my first to WS) I was really excited to set multiple jugs of columbine seeds out in the cold. They were seeds I harvested from my own plants. They didn't germinate and I gave them plenty of time--well into June & July. Fast forward to this WS season. I was determined to try again and WS columbine seeds from a few trades. Lo and behold, I've got lots of sprouts. If they ever send up some true leaves I'll post photos but for now they're just sprouts like many others. Whoever said Mother Nature is fickle said a cotton-pickin' mouthful!!! As if to thumb her nose at my seed-sowing, there are at least 3 columbine seedlings that come up every year in the cracks in my concrete breezeway and garden path. Can't dig 'em out so that's where they're likely to remain. OT - does anyone know why some columbine plants get chewed down to the stems while others are lush with leaves?

Linelle - yes, I would suggest 23andme. Ancestry.com gives you: * ethnicity estimate (percentages) * DNA family matches (it will show their nickname, an estimated range you may be related, their family tree if uploaded, their general ethnic background and if you select a match, you can then see which people match both of you) * DNA circles (this matches a group of related people to a common ancestor using your inputted family trees) They are slowing improving functionality and adding features. 23andme.com gives you: * ethnicity estimate (percentages -- you can also view where and on what chromosomes the ethnic background comes from -- for exmaple, one could see that Chromosome 4 is half chinese, half japanese --- finally, if you have a parent test, you can view which percentages you got from that parent and then which from the other parent) * DNA family matches (it will show their nickname, an estimated range you may be related,....there is the ability to electively share genomes to see where you match exactly on the chromosomes.... , you can view a family tree if uploaded and/or view surnames and places family lived, if uploaded.... The matches also tell you the specific amount of segments you match on and the overall percentage of your DNA that matches.) * Haplogroup information -- essentially the origins of your maternal line, if you're female, or maternal and paternal, if male * Neandethal percentage * Countries of ancestry .. as reported by your DNA matches * tools to compare data between or among genomes you have shared with you..... * access to your raw DNA file to possibly use on other sites (ancestry might give you this but I haven't noticed.) If you don't want to play around with the info much and strictly want percentages of DNA composition, I would still choose 23andme as the presentation is nicer. :)