WOW! Climbing Pinkie sounds very, very nice. I have 2 trellises that have nothing on them right now, because I wasn't sure what would do well in the situation they are located. Maybe you can all help me with that regarding some of these climbers. Both of these structures are in front of my house, but are on the west side, and only about 3 feet out from the house itself. As a result of this, they are shaded by the house until about 1:00 p.m. but then get full sun until sunset. I have Crepuscule in that situation (not knowing any better), and it is growing well with no disease at all. Flowers have been sporadic though, but I just planted it this past spring. I've left the other trellis areas bare because I didn't think any roses would be happy in that situation (not sure if it's enough sun). In the winter months the sunshine is obviously shortened, quite a bit actually, but the rest of the year they would get blasted for several hours. The house is white, so it probably helps reflect some additional light. What do you think? Regarding Martha Gonzales, I've had a couple of them and had the same defoliation cycles. However, she was getting some shaded periods during the day. I have thought about trying her again in a spot that would get sun from sun-up to sunset. I'm wondering if that would make a difference. Sandy

Soff, You are very kind! Thank you! In fact, my Lady Hillingdon is grown from cuttings that came from a rose from Peter Beales. That rose was purchased in 2001, so unless he has changed his own stock, we have the same rose. PB's Lady Hillingdon is definitely more vigorous grafted. This is why I want U.S. stock. By the way, you're right, the Italian mail's parcel delivery service is an outrage, and I use that word without exaggeration. I read your profile and saw that you share a lot of my rose interests, also that you're a native French speaker. I can read French, though not fluently: should you want to establish contact you could write in French and I respond in English. I don't know enough old rose enthusiasts in Europe: they're not that common in Italy. You probably have more company in Belgium. Jerome, I still want LH. I don't know if I'll be coming to the U.S. next year: it depends on a lot of things, including how the currently plummeting dollar will be doing. I was also wondering if I could talk others with certifiably wonderful plants into sending cuttings, since even among vigorous LHs there may be more than one clone. That's a lovely photo. I love palms and roses. I just want to mention another yellow Tea that no one has mentioned (possibly with good reason), that's perhaps fussier than some but lovely when it's happy: Isabella Sprunt, the lemon yellow sport of Safrano. Yes, it's pale. Like Safrano, it's somewhat prone to mildew, not that it cares, but the gardener usually does. Mine is growing in the usual super dense clay and wasn't watered during our drought. It defoliated, but is now putting out new growth and getting ready to flower, not the best time of year, but what I'm trying to say is that it's not a rose that keels over and dies when the going gets tough. I adore lemon yellow flowers and wine red new growth. I'm glad to hear good reports of Alliance Franco Prusse. Melissa

Then I think it must be Thuja plicata 'Haley Bop'. Stanley and Sons description seems to fit the bill: A miniature variety of Western Red Cedar. No leaves, just a moss like velvet of green. Like a cocks-comb material but not in a straight array. Grows about 1/4 of an inch a year. Found in seedling bed in Weyerhaeuser tree farm by Dick North. Alex This post was edited by maple_grove on Mon, Jan 14, 13 at 10:54

Bumblebeez- "I will admit that I hate the heat. 4 more months of this, yuck." You took the words right out of my mouth! It's a relief to know someone else feels that way! It seems almost unbelievable to most that there are people who don't really care for summer. I find summer to be neither lazy nor crazy, just kind of hazy! I like to go out early too--to do yard work, and run errands. Was out at 6:30 A.M. today to rake, water and tidy up. (Went out yesterday afternoon around 5:00 for an hour and almost passed out!) Got a solid hour of work done and really enjoyed being outside as the temp & humidity was fairly mild and low. Then all the "worms" came out...people walking (and talking!) I do enjoy talking to these people, and enjoy visiting with their dogs as well, but then I didn't get much done the remaining hour I was out. After 9:00, certainly 10:00, I can't work in the direct sun. I may try to go out again after 5:00. There's a finite period during which I can get things done outdoors during summer. Your idea of a trip to the beach in November sounds nice! People are expecting me at the neighborhood picnic this weekend. Eating outside in the noon-day sun when it's in the 90's is not my idea of a good time. I told one neighbor, "If they'd just have this thing in December, I'd love to go." She looked at me like I'd turned green and sprouted horns. I'm such a grouch. The "Grinch who stole summer!"