Catsrose -- Please tell me about 'Kent'. Unexpectedly, it arrived here as part of my final (and thoroughly disastrous) order from Ashdown. How tall does it get? How floriferous is it? How long do the blooms last for you? Any other observations/opinions will be appreciated. Rosefolly -- In jest, allow me to say this: Thanks so much for the info re Grannish. Now I have a retort when I'm quizzed about why I'm ALWAYS late for my book club and garden club meetings. From now on I'll simply say, "Because you speak GRANNISH for the first half hour! I don't understand it myself, and I find it boorish, boring, idiotic, unintelligible . . . ". Personally, I've no interest in relating to (or relating tiresome, rococo tales about) my grandchildren until they're old enough to listen attentively as I attempt to undermine their parents' (VERY conservative) sociopolitical views. OMG, how in h*ll did this happen? Where, oh where, did I go so WRONG . . . ?

I have no idea where to plant that rose where it'll look even half as good as it does against that elm tree. Sometime over the next few years, the elm tree is going away. It's growing right in the midde of a pathway we've already partially installed. Plus, it's way too close to the foundation of the house. We plan to put in a shade garden next to the house on that side, but that isn't on the schedule for another year or two. So, that part looks kinda funky, right now. The cedar tree next to the chairs is also going away sometime over the next few years. Hopefully, we'll replace it with a pergola(sp).

How about moving your ÂFreedom over along the property line between you and the neighbor who doesnÂt know much about gardening. That would be far enough away from the house to not get the color comparison, and when it grows up it would help screen their yard some. Do I remember right that thatÂs a wet area along there? If so, a hibiscus would be very happy there. There are a whole lot more hibiscus varieties than I know about, but an old standby red is ÂLord Baltimore. I think that would be the right red for you, but itÂs been too long since IÂve seen it in person to be sure of that. I pretty much remember it to be the red most of the pictures show at the link below. Maybe somebody around here grows it and can be more definiteÂor maybe theyÂll have another variety to recommend. One thing to remember if you go with a hibiscus, tho, is that they come up VERY, VERY lateÂeven here in Denver mine donÂt usually come up till the beginning of JuneÂso there wonÂt be anything there for the first few months of spring. When they do finally come up, they grow so fast you can almost see it! If you look up the Helianthus decapetalis, the "d" should be lower case! Since I compose in Word, it capitalizes anything that comes after a periodÂwhether I want it that way or not! Grrrrrr! And I donÂt always catch it when IÂm in a hurry, so itÂs wrong in my first post! Skybird Here is a link that might be useful: 'Lord Baltimore'

Hi Tikanas! I'll answer to this! My Diet Chat name is Wild_Chicken because one of my favorite things to hear and see are the wild chickens, while hiking in one of my favorite places, Kauai. Some people call me BJ, my initials, but I prefer to be called Wild_Chicken to keep my privacy in case any of my relatives or friends are lurking in on me! :) Married, I have 4 kids, all girls, and no pets. My interests change every year, as I am always trying some new hobby or sport that I find I enjoy! I immerse myself in it for a year or more and I'm off to something else. However, I have always enjoyed hiking in whatever place I'm visiting. I hike at a fast pace and enjoy it! I like taking a camera and getting nature shots while I'm out there. I love talking with my kids, hot climates, watching things grow, seeing GOOD, non-violent movies, and cooking meals for people. I like reading in a library setting and get a library card at the local library as soon as I hit town! Lastly, I like to believe you're never too old for anything if you're in shape to try it...so take care of your health and see a doc yearly! As far as weight and diet goes, I am on a HER athlete-based sort of a plan: whole foods, no preservatives, and I eat SMALL meals every 3 or 4 hours, about 6 meals a day total. I try to combine a little protein and carb in each meal. This has keep me on track and I'm not hungry. Most of my food is refrigerator stuff, fresh and from the outside aisle in the grocery: veggies, fruit, whole grain, nutty bread, yogurt, and nuts. This, I find, keeps me CHARGED UP and ready to go! It also reminds me to get out there and MOVE! I have lost over 50 pounds (on WW, SS, and the HER althlete-based plan) and have 12 more pounds to lose B4 I'm at goal! I am hypothyroid and take meds for that; it doesn't make losing weight any easier! I detest sit-ups and push-ups, but try to do them anyway....lol.