Spraying poplar suckers has potential to damage the parent tree. Fine mulch is ideal for getting lots of new little plants coming up, as mentioned. Paper mulch is best for smothering weeds in an area that is going to be made into a bed later, rather than as a routine maintenance tool. You put down a thick layer and get it wet, keep it wet. Also a decorative mulch may be put over the newspaper layer, if desired. Coarser mulch such as clean arborist wood chips or purchased play chips is the most effective, however as has been pointed out in response to one of my posts on this site there can be issues with smothering when such materials are used near herbaceous plants. Even when applied some distance back chips may often migrate and get on top of perennials. Really if you are going to have flower plantings of much size and scope you can expect to be out there hand weeding etc. as a matter of course. If working among your flowers like this is more a vexation than a relaxation then consider making some changes. One way to include herbaceous plants in a home landscape without the upkeep being too much is to have one small or smallish area where these are planted, with the rest in lawn and woody plants (mulched with wood chips). This post was edited by bboy on Mon, Aug 18, 14 at 15:14

Ah, Champlain I know, and I hope this one is as tough! The colors are like Champlain, but the petals aren't as tidy when the buds open. They're sort of wavy, if that makes any sense. I need to find some time to rifle through my rose book and see if I can find something to help me describe it. Thanks though! At least it's a fun mystery.

I'm looking for seeds of a deep red oriental poppy. I traded for Indian Chief Double Poppy earlier this year, but the seeds that were sent to me were not for that poppy (they were for the small annual red poppy). If anyone has any deep red oriental poppy seeds to trade, I'd love to hear from you. Please contact me only if you are positive you are trading the correct seeds. I already have allegra (red with orange tinge). Thanks....Heather

not 100% sure - I can't remember if I I bought it from David austins or palatine roses ?? I thought it was from David Austin bc I had it in their signature green pots. Very sadly, I threw it out bc it stayed riddled w/fungus, always had no leaves & was a very weak grower- I'll b purchasing more David Austin roses this fall- going to buy mostly his red varieties bc they're so gorgeous & im lacking his red roses :) thanks guys!