Here are some others not to forget: Griffeth Buck Vernon Rickard Paul Barden I don't believe Americans are dissinterested in things that were not invented here. We seem to be quite fond of things with European names like Krupps, Braun, and all those other coffee makers. We eat tons of ethnic food. Lots of us are tourists. When the Beatles came out many of us became Anglophiles and a lot of us still think the English cottage garden is the ultimate. We are a country full of appreciative people, IMO. I have never noticed anyone not wanting to buy a rose because it was bred by a non-AMerican. Excuse me for digressing. Anyway even with it's flaws I bet I could really enjoy looking at that book, Devon. I usually check the big Botanica's out from the library but have my easy to hold paperback copy which I enjoy. My library also has The Rose Bible and Antique Roses for the South, both of which were responsible for a number of roses in my garden. Linda

Jan__ You can plant Helleborus anytime the weather is confortable enough for outdoor activities. They must have good drainage, reasonably fertile soil and prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, but perform well in soil that is slightly acidic. Unless you amend your red clay with compost, leaf mold, gypsum. Natures Helper, etc., it would probably be wise to add a handful of Dolomitic Lime (powdered) around the plants when you install them, then water well. After they become established, during dry spells (include winter), water only when the top 3" of the soil becomes dry. The energy for producing first blooms was stored in your bulbs when you planted them. Small flowers may indicate: Small and/or poorly developed bulbs, improper storage, bulbs exposed to ethylene gas (ripening fruit, such as apples), etc. During early fall, feed them with a recommended application of a 1-2-2 NPK formulated fertilizer,such as 5-10-10, 6-12-12. DO NOT remove the foliage until it becomes yellow (or brown).

Wow....what an amazing list of people.... too many of them no longer with us or active here. It is nice to remember some of their names and their struggles that we shared. Thanks for the memories.

Aww, Tedster looks so comfy already. I'm betting one of his nicknames will be Bear. There IS quite a resemblance to that fellow, but imagine standing at the back door and yelling "Fellaini" several times. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue.