My thoughts: You have a nut grass problem right there and it will take over the rose bush before summer ends. While it is still cool enough to work outside, you need to remove the infected soil and work in compost or clean topsoil. You may find it easier to dig up the rose then take care of the nut grass. Few products are effective at the killing the stuff and what does work costs twice as much as you paid for the bush. The cracks in the soil suggest lack of moisture and/or settling. We've had lots of drying winds the past few weeks which really take their toll on new growth, soil moisture and blooms. Increasing the water and mulching with a forest product will help retain the moisture and keep the roots cooler. Gravel or rock isn't a good mulch in this area. It retains heat and reflects sunlight. Chelated iron helps if the rose is chlorotic but this bush doesn't actually look that way. If the rose fertilizer already had iron in it, you don't need to apply more until next fall when new growth starts. Plan to stop fertilizing the rose when we hit 100F for 3 days running to allow the rose to finish the bloom cycle and direct it's energy towards surviving the heat, spider mites and drying winds of summer. Is that a metal stake by the rose? If so, replace it, if needed, with wood or a plastic coated tree stake that doesn't burn the new foliage or reflect sunlight. Hope this helped! Jeannie Cochell, Consulting Rosarian

Looks like my Regals. They should multiply if happy. Mine aren't on the east side and lean really badly. Old House Gardens has one I like better if it blooms true. The stripe is darker than mine but looks the same otherwise. It's called Black Dragon. Rather pricey but if I want a lily badly enough I will pay, just get fewer and hope they multiply for me. Just posted on another thread recommending Old House Gardens. I don't have any connection with them, just had pretty good luck with them, and all but one scilla came up in the spring and one the count was right but lily is different, said they'd give me credit, I don't care, will see if it's a white martagon and blooms next year. A big screwup and I'd want replacements or refund, don't sweat the small stuff. Here is a link that might be useful: Black Dragon at Old House Gardens

Barbra sorry that I am just now getting back to this thread. I don't remember exactly what plants I brought you, but if Cat Whiskers is one of them, I've never had it survive anything below about 27 deg. The X Ruttyruspolia came back from the roots after seeing 17 deg. last year. The mother Calidora (Persian Palm) comes back, but I would protect the seedlings I brought, if you got one of those. Do the same with 'Mojito'. Those will survive next winter if planted out in the spring. If there were any others you are courious about, if you will tell me what they are, I'll try to help. Jim

You just might want to think about installing plenty of hand-rails, and do be sure you wear your slip-proof booties in there at all times. OR, you could use honed stone intead of polished. As for the booties, you'd be better off in bare feet. That being said, I HAVE installed plenty of polished marble bathroom floors, as well. That includes one in statuary white I had in my last house, and never had a problem with slipping.