But movement of plant material to the mainland is still restricted. At minimum, inspection is required, which sounds like a good idea to me. From p. 3-9 of the document (a manual for the inspectors) linked below: "Plants, as well as growing media, are restricted from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to prevent the spread of soil organisms, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), sugarcane diseases (Xanthomonas albilinenans and X. vasculorum), cactus borer (Cactoblastis cactorum), the sweet potato scarabee (Euscepes postfaciatus). Movement is restricted to the United States and its other territories, but is not restricted in either direction between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands." ~ Debbie Here is a link that might be useful: USDA plant import/export inspection manual

Hi, Ginakay & Oukay, our Marion County Rose Society had a guest speaker recently who is from Sarasota who grows a ton of David Austins, and she's tried a lot more than even what she has in her garden now. She wants LOTS of flowers in her HOT summer garden, and she has a list of DAs that she recommends for their summer bloom - and some she can't recommend. She knows her Austins! She also says she has roses on Fortuniana, Dr Huey & own root, and she's even planted bareroots with no losses. She's very informative. Last year she spoke to us on fertilization. Here's a link to the Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society. She's the last one on the contact list, and her email address is there. There's also a list of the Society's favorite roses. I recommend that you contact Connie. She's very vivacious and nice. Maybe she can email you her list. Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society I think Sarasota is more like Ft. Myers than Ocala is, and we also have some big differences, like cold weather vs no cold weather. Personally, Teas and Chinas are good in Florida, but you can expect them to take a summer break generally. I've just bought 4 new Austins highly recommended by Connie (Darcey Bussell & Lady of Megginch) and a lady in Brooksville (Tradescant & Jude the Obscure). Have fun!! Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

I'm looking for English Rose and Buck Rose cuttings (please see my trade list) for late May or early June. I will have Abraham Darby and Music Maker cuttings then. Thanks! Tony

A climbing rose can be grown without support, but one thing you have to deal with is strong winds. This is because strong winds whip the canes around and they lash each other and scratch the heck out of each other and you end up having to cut them back because of all the damage. There are all kinds of support that can be used rather than a trellis. A low fence, a tripod, an arch, are probably easier to work with than a trellis. Trellis are often too small and narrow to display a rose at its best. Check out the "ashdown rose" videos about climbing roses at youtube. Very helpful and instructive.