Regarding shipping: I've looked at roses at a local nursery that carries a VERY limited selection from ARE in TX. They are $25 plus tax. If I order from some of the really good vendors we've mentioned above, I get a WAY better selection and actually get the plants cheaper (usually if I buy 3 or more). Like Sherry, I count shipping as part of the price of the rose bush. I didn't mention them earlier since the question was for East Coast nurseries but you might also want to consider Chamblee Roses in Texas. I've ordered from them before and was very pleased with what I received. Two of the gallons arrived with two plants each which I divided--getting two for the price of one. Yes, shipping is a bit expensive but the starting price is lower so it all comes out in the end. Something to consider anyway.

You really should go. Sorry you missed last year, so many GW friends there. I think a good time was had by all whether from Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, California, Michigan, New York, Florida or England. I know I missed some but everyone who went had a great time, learned, met new friends, reacquainted with old ones, and memories to last a life time. If we never meet again, it was a pleasure that weekend in South Carolina. I shall never forget the experience or those who attended and still like to thank you for being there. Carol, Trish and Paul, thanks for putting up with us. Jackie, Luanne, Carol, Paula, Lisa, Jean, Buford, Ann, Jody, Carla and all those who made the pilgrimage. Some shopped, some cooked, some taught, some drove, some ate, some were responsible and some of us just had a great time. Thanks for the memories. I know I left many out but you know who you were and that you are a part of our memories.

Dear karl_bapst_rosenut, Mr. Zimmerman kindly clarified that his company, Ashdown Roses, is NOT being sold to another nursery. I am positive that forum members comprehend that Mr. Zimmerman is the owner of Ashdown Roses. Independent nursery owners are unsung heroes who are dedicated to educating masses, supporting the worldwide rose market, graciously providing us with roses to cherish in our gardens, and preserving our environment. Furthermore, forum members are wanting their favorite (and also addition of) independent nurseries in their specific regional locations so that they can indulge in the enthralling world of rose gardening. A silly and sweet tug-of-war of words ensued between forum members about where they want the independent nurseries. A few months ago, I met Mr. Zimmerman at the Heritage Roses Northwest (HRNW) society meeting in Seattle, WA. I was elated to meet a pioneer in the field of roses from whom I purchased roses for my humble garden. There were many attendees at the HRNW meeting who traveled from adjacent states. We joked (and secretly wished) that we'd love for Ashdown Roses to relocate to our region. Practical considerations such high shipping costs (which is regulated by the mailing industry) may be a blocking issue in purchasing roses from independent nurseries in distant locations. It is my belief that forum members do not have dubious or malicious intentions to destruct the reputations of independent nurseries. Thank you for sharing your concerns with forum members. I sincerely request that we do not have a row about the matter in discussion. We are a family of rose enthusiasts! Rosy hugs to you. Reem

I also don't understand why folks write reviews that are plot summaries; I always imagine that their high school English teacher required them to do this and somehow they just carried on thinking that's what other people want. I do write reviews of many books I read, I'm not sure if any of them qualify as "lengthy" reviews. I write them to say what I would say if a friend asked me "Hey, is this book worth reading?". I say what I liked or found useful, what I thought was off, and if it's a novel, I say people who like X, Y, or Z might like it, and if it's a book having to do with my profession, I say what kinds of practitioners might also find it helpful or what they may want to be wary of. Mostly I write reviews because I find the process helps me to "digest" the book, but also because I want to do for others what good reviews have done for me--lead me to great books and away from bad ones.