Wow, I'm coming late to this party. Ok, here's my list: Olga: Lady Hillingdon, Deuil du Dr. Reynaud, Radio Times, Yolande d'aragon, Belle de crecy, and general interest in getting more gallicas Tivoli: Clementina Carbonieri, Penny Lane, Radio Times, Wm. Shakespeare 2000 Harryshoe: Tamora, Scepter'd Isle Molineux: Molineux, Pretty Jessica, Reine de Violettes (and one day I will have Evelyn) Zeffyrose: Clair Matin, Viking Queen, Carefree Beauty LoriElf: Rhonda, Ilse Krohn Superior, Etoile de Hollande, Baronne Prevost Jeri: Grandmother's Hat Pappu: Rose de Rescht Robert: enabled me into building rebar teepees. George (roselover): enabled me to order the Prince (perhaps 3) for next year after seeing his magnificent one in person. I also might end up ordering Hippolyte, Leda, and some white clematis. That's all I can remember but there are many, many talented enablers on this forum who have contributed to my ongoing quest for more beauties. Thanks for that, Shelley :)

This isn't the best photo, I'm afraid. (It was for the insurance company and I didn't save the original.) If you look closely near the center, you'll see the very rare C. Jeepiana that sprouted almost instanteously one morning this past April. From this angle, it's a very boxy looking plant. The foliage was pure white. Almost luminescent. It had four black-rimmed, perfectly circular, reflective blooms that looked like they'd last forever. Alas, it had to be removed. It was clearly in a spot where it didn't belong. I'm thinking of putting a Rutgers Dogwood in its place next spring.

PT, just for the record, I, for one, don't think you went too far in your first post, so there's nothing to feel apologetic about, at all. Forums, like this one, exist so that people can share ideas and opinions about all aspects of gardening. Although I have a different point of view, I respect your comments and the way you expressed them. You're right when you say that all events can be improved upon--why not make your views known to the CHS? As I mentioned, they used to have a category for Professionally Landscaped gardens, and maybe they should reinstate it. (Personal confession: I usually didn't bother going to the professionally developed gardens. Over the years, I only remember visiting two gardens that won in that category. Since I'm not interested in hiring a landscape company, those gardens hold little appeal or relevance to me. In one garden I saw, I was aghast to discover that Purple Loosestrife had been planted (the property was adjacent to a Glenmore Park, no less). This was five or six years ago--Loosestrife was no longer being sold in garden centres. The rules of the CHS should have disqualified that garden, but the plant may not have been blooming at the time of judging, or the judges didn't recognize it.) Your top 2 favourite gardens were mine, as well. The Boyko garden was the first that I saw, and it ended up getting my vote for the "People's Choice Award". (I was doubly amazed at how beautiful the garden is when I discovered that three dogs--two huge and one, small but rambunctious--also live in the house!) While some gardens gained some of their appeal due to the location of the property (gorgeous neighborhoods, borrowed views), this yard created beauty and serenity despite its relatively small size and its surroundings. The MacLean garden reflected my own lust for plant collecting, only hers is much better designed. (What an understatement!) My third choice was the curb appeal winner in Deer Run. Although her back yard was destroyed by hail (I found out), her front yard was spared, and it was an inviting, exhuberant mass of colour. The one thing I hate about garden tours...they make me want to rip out my entire yard and start all over!! Thankfully, that feeling only lasts a day or two, and then I start enjoying my garden, again, faults and all. Marcia, I'd also like to know which one was your friend. I seem to recall someone in a cast, but I saw so many gardens over the weekend that I can't place her! PT, I hope you continue to voice your very passionate opinions. And I hope that the Far North Forum continues to be a place where posters can feel free to respectfully disagree with each other in a safe, caring environment. Just an idea that popped into my head...since there are so many Calgarians on this forum (and others that live close by), maybe one day we can organize a garden tour of our own??? That is, after I've ripped out my yard and started over... ;-) Doris

Jeff, thank you for the pot and the nice note))). I actually got your package late last night and could not get to saying so until just now. I wish I had my camera so I could take a pic, but by the time I do, I will have put a very good looking plant in it then take one...Love it)