I had yews and loads of privet and mock orange. The kids took it all of it out for me, over a period of years, what a relief to have that gone! I'd dig it out or have it dug out. They had to use my son's jeep with a chain to pull out the roots of the privet. A guy dug out some the hard way, and it was a bigger job than he had bargained for. Now I've got flowers (I waited years for whatever the yews left behind to leach out). No, I was able to grow tomatoes almost right away where some yews were. The second year I amended the soil in front where they had been. One more thing about willows. It is inadvisable to plant them anywhere near any water pipes or sewers of any kind. The roots get in them and clog them up so I hope you know where all your water lines are. Probably mainly sewers. Maybe these at my aunt's were tile; I don't know what they use now but it caused a lot of trouble for her. If weeping pussy willows don't get too big, it might not be a problem but you don't know about the rootstock. I planted a regular pussy willow in the back yard; it isn't an especially moist or sunny area and it is doing well never bothered to water it after the first year but mulch it. And I had the yard all mapped out by the utilities before I started all this madness, they even mark something for the phone buried underground, have no idea why they are buried anyway as it attaches to the house from a wire running from the alley! Right after I planted my regular pussy willow, I saw a weeping one at Lowe's and was I mad. They are adorable. I've also seen photos of weeping white birches and tried to grow a weeping cherry tree on the farm, but it didn't get watered and died. Those weeping white birches grow in British Columbia and other places in the west. These are a special kind, not the European birches that have pendulous branches, can't remember the Latin name and don't know if they would grow in my zone nor where to get one. Doesn't matter; I have a clump of 3 canoe birches and no more room for any more trees except maybe a couple little ones.

Probably dead. The green at the base of the canes gives a little hope, but it's unlikely to do anything. These are bareroot roses that were dug up back in January and have been sitting in the store since March. They usually go on sale for $2 in May with a $2 rebate so if you want a real bargain watch for that sale again. They should have dumped any leftovers a month ago. They do sell some fairly decent potted roses if you want a live one, but you're better off buying from a nursery. Really, at this point you're best off waiting until next year as it is getting late to get a rose established before winter.

Hi Tony, That's beautiful. I would love to trade. I can't identify the scent of mine, but it's definitely not rose, it's more citrus-y. I agree with your advice. That's what I do with mine. Mine will grow facing any direction. When I want a cutting, I usually start them on the north side of the house (which actually gets bright light) I think the other factor is the variety of scented geraniums. I've tried some here and they languish. However, a friend of a friend gave me this kind. She told me that "you can't kill this". Probably a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure thrives. It laughs at too much heat and humidity, too much rain, too little rain, cold, wind, etc. I haven't had temps below 32, so not sure how much frost they would stand. Tony, did you get frost this winter? Did you cover them? Any damage at all? I can understand frustration over some type of plants not growing. I have never been able to get a moonflower to grow. Morning glories thrive for me, but not moonflowers. I've tried them in two different types of yards in Central Florida, and they just don't grow. I soak the seeds in water or I nick the seed coat. A few will grow a few inches, but then nothing. I had the same problem up north. I have never seen a moonflower bloom in person. Not only would I like to see one, I don't want my reputation as the green thumb of the neighborhood to be in jeopardy. Anyway, I'll have my scented geranium available for trades a little later in the year. Lynne

Update: Leaves have halted their yellowing...or at least no new ones :) I am cursed with the wind here it seems. It blew over again in a storm sunday night. Ugh. I ran out in the rain to upright it and shovel the mix back in. Im sure I looked like a nut, but it was 5:15 am so hopefully no one saw me! It’s a beautiful day today and it looks awesome so far. We got 1.35” of rain so it’s well watered. It’s supposed to be nice again tomorrow and rain Wed Night through Thursday so I may bring it in. I am terrified of it staying too wet for too long without a good drying out period. Plus how would I fertilize it, that’s always been a question for me for those who don’t use an extended release fert. If it rains so frequently I would never have a chance to fertigate. Anyway that’s all for now with my gardenia saga. Side note, the boy has strep, ugh. He is feeling much better now that he’s got some doses of antibiotics in him. Fx I don’t catch the bug now!