I have a 40 year old weeping cherry tree that has some unusual behavior this year. The tree was a little late blooming (as most trees in the East this year) but there are very few leaves. There are many weeping limbs that are bare. I know it is not much to go on. I can post pics if that will help. Any idea what could be causing this issue? I am a little concerned as I had to cut a 30 year old dog wood last year. It bloomed but the leaves and flowers were the size of a dime. As I cut it down, I found an infection running down the middle of the trunk.

I'm not sure what colors you are looking for, but from your list, I assume you like modern roses--hybrid teas and floribundas. In hybrid teas, you might consider Double Delight--one of the most popular HTs--creamy white with bright red edges--quite dramatic. Or if you like the fuller look of floribundas, a similar colored one is Cherry Parfait--produces lots of blooms. Another great hybrid tea, but on the cooler side, is Elina-creamy white with a hint of yellow in the center. A cooler floribunda I like is my new Easter Basket--has more of that "frilly" look that Our Lady of Guadalupe exhibits, but Easter Basket is creamy white with pale pink flushes sometimes, pale yellow flushes other times, sometimes all three colors at once--very delicate and subtle colorings. Maybe you need to explore other types of roses also--like shrubs. I adore my Molineux (a David Austin shrub)--has the old-fashioned look, but is modern. It produces blooms in the yellow range, sometimes with peachy or creamy shades mixed in. I have it growing in the "cottage garden" part of my gardens, and it looks great there. Without knowing more about what you want in your roses, that is the best I can come up with right now. Hope that is helpful. Kate

the driveway does NOT separate the aggressive roots of the maple.. from anything within twice the distance of the height of the maple ... you must insure that your babe is sufficiently watered for the first 2 or 3 years ,... so that it can grow a sufficient root mass to attain maturity ... maples can kill the most invasive weed in the world.. otherwise know as grass ... it can and will impact your little 2 foot stick.. if you dont take care of it ... did you amend the planting hole .. and if you did ... i know where the maple is growing new roots ... been there. done that ... if the maple is a babe.. then the cherry has a fighting chance ... ken

That'sbrown rot, an extremely commonplace affliction for any weeping cherry, at least in my area. And is one of the many ailments affecting flowering cherries that majorly impacts their attractiveness. It is seldom fatal and is often worse in cool, damp springs. The link I attached to will give choices for treatment and control, however just pruning out the affected branches is usually sufficient to control the problem....at least for this season.