'Ditto' Susan's post. Most of the time, both nearby HD's sell the same, common plants, but if you happen to be there the right time, you could get lucky. :) And you surely did. I feel like running to HD to see if your plant is available. lol. It's lovely, Squidy. If yours is a Spath, I'd go for it. I'm not a Spath fan..have 3..two variegated, one green and not doing well because of my selfish neglect..gets watered, whenever, needs repotting, etc. take care of that cutie..Toni

I had these this year as well. It looked like tiny black coffee grounds covering my lilies. It turned out they were black aphids. I purchased live lady bugs and they ate them up. Good luck!

This is an exceptional year here as far as temps go. Most days are above 105, and have been for over a month with no rain for over 60 days.. It's hard to tell what is dead, and what is dormant, in spite of the watering. A lot of the ferns go dormant, as do the astilbes, and will put on new growth when the fall rains come (if they do at all) but anything that puts on new growth now, if that growth dies, the plant will be a goner. I've already lost some plants for sure that way. Not sure about the hostas, I think some of the younger ones are truly fried, and not just dormant. Most of the older ones will be ok. Dicentras should be fine, they all go dormant in dry years. It isn't the drought that concerns me so much, it's the extreme heat. Most plants can live through drought. But not if they are cooked.

Historic residential architectural styles were not based on a "look" but a collection of specific cultural, experiential and architectural influences that were adapted and modified by architects and builders often but not always retaining much of the original intent. American Colonialists brought the Post Medieval style from England but substituted local materials (lap siding and wood roofing shingles instead of stucco, half timber and thatch). As the colonies prospered they adapted and modified the more fashionable English styles that were based on Classical (Greek & Roman) designs from the Italian Renaissance. We know these styles generally as Colonial and specifically as Georgian, Adam, etc. They were later used as inspirations for the Colonial Revival styles. In the case of the Craftsman Style, it was originally developed in southern California by the Greene Brothers. They were architects influenced by the English Arts & Crafts movement, oriental wooden structures and formal training in wood & metal working and designed intricately detailed handcrafted houses of natural materials that joined the interior with the exterior. These designs and much simpler variations were published in many American magazines like The Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping and The Craftsman and were quickly adopted by pre-cut material supply companies that sold mail order kits. This resulted in the rapid spread of a watered-down version of the Craftsman Style bungalow across the country. This is why it is difficult to find a Craftsman Style house that retains much of the inspiration or detailing of the Greene brothers. A similar thing happened when a vernacular version was developed of the Prairie Style. When a historical architectural style is reduced to a "look", it usually only retains the name for advertising purposes. When I see the term Craftsman it tells me virtually nothing except that the house is unlikely to have classical detailing but you can never be sure without a photo or drawing.