Hi Mary. I was able to buy eight Felix Leclerc climbing roses last autumn. Replanted my rose arbor using this rose. This spring the roses are looking great! We had a terrible winter too. Plus a very cold spring. Haven't had any flowers yet of course. It's only May. But health wise, FL is looking very good. Hope this helps. I'll let you know how he flowers next month if you'd like.

I've been too busy to spend much time on the computer lately, but this particular post I couldn't resist. Designing a new garden or landscape is super exciting, but can be daunting at the same time. If you are a book lover I highly recommend checking out the 'better homes and gardens complete guide to landscaping.' In my opinion the most useful thing in the whole book is the 'landscape checklist' because it really helps to organize your needs and wants right in the beginning. I found it helpful to come up with a theme for my landscape in the early stages, inspired by the oaks trees I decided to try to create a place with the feeling of a woodland meadow. At the same time I wanted a cottage flower garden and outdoor living spaces, so I placed them close to the house and then went with a more naturalistic look farther away. I'm most proud of my spiral garden, I love having a nicely shaped pathway that provides interest even in the winter when the plants are less showy. I always feel that paths are one of the most important things in a garden, not only providing access but also bringing beauty in and of themselves. Also, if you need a shed it can be made into a feature that is beautiful. I love the big shed that my boyfriend built, it screens the view of our neighbor's large metal building and I think it's an attractive feature in the landscape. When we got our house the yard was a total mess, things are coming together now so I have some pictures I can share but it's still a work in progress. First I want to say that we were also limited by having a septic tank, as well as a grey water tank and two mature valley oak trees whose root zones took up most of the yard. Most of the plants are in their first year and I'm still in the editing stage, so things don't look nearly as good as everyone else's photos... but I'm still proud of our improvements. This is my little cottage flower garden, I came up with the idea of a swooping spiral path out of the necessity of hiding from view while still leaving accessible three different covers for our septic and grey water tanks. Another view of the spiral. Golden Buddha, happy in his spot in the spiral garden. This is the dry creek that wraps around the side and back of the yard, it serves as a solution for the ponding issues we used to have as well as being very pretty. I love rocks. Please ignore the weeds. Our oaks and the far corner, I have several large species and rambling roses planted back there though they are hard to see in this picture. With time they should grow to cover the fences and provide some privacy. I'm sure your landscape will be totally different than ours, but I hope that some of the things I found useful can be helpful to you in your planning. I don't really have any 'destinations' in the back, but I think that would be a great thing for you to use as a starting point. What will draw you (and your family) all the way out into the back of the yard? Have you considered planting any fruit trees or edibles? How about bird baths and feeders? Does your family enjoy playing outdoor games like boccie ball or badminton? Lastly, be sure to create some shady spots to cool off and/or rest in, they provide visual interest as well as respite from the heat. Well, I should stop writing now... have fun designing your new landscape!

Good evening all, first i have to say many thanks to Shirley and Jo for such nice trade boxes. you guys are wonderful!!!!!!! Shirley you picked out such beautiful hosta for me. and drool drool...need Diana Remembered. but it can wait til we trade next time :). Jo an awesome iris and daylily selection. :). Couln't believe you added so many, it was not necessary! Angie, Lisa, Anita, Maryotts Lovers in general :), they are so awesome!!! I don't think ive ever received smaller than 3 fans and that was JT Davis. and HUGE ones too. and great bonuses too! reminds me to place another order soon :):). Marea, ouch on that Lunar Max....why did i not pick that one in my Trimmer kick? going on the must have list. Dianne, i have tons of yellow needing divided, if you aren't too picky, i need to move remove some duplicates after they bloom this year. email me. Jean, i only have 10 iris that have even bloomed so take it for what its worth, but that noid looks like Stepping Out to me, if its really purple purple and only photographs blue. :) Barb, lol...would have described an iris like that too. big grin. MaryB, you are such an enabler yourself!. Started and heavily dosed by MaryB, highly seasoned by Shirley, with just the right touch of Marea and Ellen. All simmered with fresh MaryS. Heres my hostas: Mini hosta garden ut oh...out of room...mini hostas #2 bigger hosta for those not impressed, i had 3 hosta 2 years ago :). (Cody-ihope something like that might qualify me for July...cause i grow no food :). onto daylilies next :):) Cindy O/namso

Thank you all for the kind comments. I'm much better than I was a week ago and finally able to be out in the sun (with sunscreen) since I no longer am taking antibiotics. We are blessed with a wonderful daughter, son and daughter-in-law who came to help us out. As for weeds, you should see the other beds. Yikes. It seems Queen Anne's Lace has popped up everywhere along with the chicory and a yellow flowered weed. Victoria Blue does make yellows and oranges pop. Too bad it is not a perennial but I did get those plantings and a few others very cheap at the local mennonite growers when they had their greenhouse clearance. My new lavender plants are also blooming. Cheyenne Spirit are doing really good so hopefully they will reseed. Penstemon finished blooming and they are so pretty with the darker foliage. I had hoped to take pics of Coral Majority and Evidence Of Aliens today but got sidetracked. They started about a week ago with sadly, short scapes. I'm hoping I can get them moved next week to the redo bed if the weather does get back into the 70's as predicted. We are still under severe drought conditions even with the rain we've gotten as it is not back up to the level we should be. Rain barrel is full so I have planting water for at least a couple of weeks.