Crown gall is a bacteria and the bacteria are in a lot of soils. Galls are common on roses planted on the Gulf Coast (according to the gentleman from Mobile who was running for Pres. of ARS). If there are breaks in a rose's exterior (root, crown, stem) you may get a gall. Some roses are more resistant to galls than others. Some soils seem more prone than other soils. Some roses can live with galls, others will be girded. Low planting of grafts can lead to galls. Planting with the graft at the soil top can also lead to galls when you try to cut dieing canes off right at the bud union and accidentally nick the alive bud union. The bacteria is Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Boelema's 1969 paper about "Resistance of Rose Rootstock to Crown Gall" would be a place to start reading.

Ron at Petaluma rose nursery suggests growing Tea class roses in pots their first year, so that their roots stay warm. Luxrosa *** We always do. Partially because their roots are warmed, and they get a head start. But I must be honest, and confess that part of that year (or more) is spent in pursuit of the answer to the question: WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT THIS THING? Jeri

Hm.... Buford, I'm in Tuscany - equivalent to zone 9 I believe. It's VERY humid although that part of the garden is quite exposed and windy much of the time. My CC is squished in a too-small flowerbed with some other roses and small shrubs (a huge rosemary and a slow-growing myrtle, oregano and other such things). I have to decide to move it or another rose because they're planted too closely. I guess the sensible thing would be to move CC... even though she looks great with the rosemary! I'm definitely not giving up on her yet. As catspa said, it's so healthy, fragrant, and such an early bloomer for me. It was in flower with the tulips this year! But after that glorious beginning it just looks awful all the time! I sometimes have to deadhead even before the buds open. Crispy-orange-pink is NOT attractive hanging on a bush. Buford, you mentioned it not being hydrated enough.... could that be it? I thought the crisping could only be related to sun-scorching..... Is it possible it has to do with it not getting enough water?? Thanks all for your comments..... It makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one with this problem!

From the delicious 'Clementina Carbonieri' to.... ticks! What a transition on this thread ;) bellegallica9a, yes isn't she SOOOO fragrant and lovely??? scorpions are indeed harmless, but they are pretty gross if they get in the house, especially big ones like the ones I've got.... which as Melissa said, is also evidence of a rich, healthy biological environment... for which I'm grateful! I just need to make the area close to my entrance inhospitable and unwelcoming for these guys.... salamanders ok are exciting yes, but TICKS not at all. Now about ticks.... these are the measures I'm taking: cat and dog on medicine (Frontline is the best we have here) + I made a "perfume" for Charlie using lavender and geranium oil which seems to work and also smells great! I imbibe his collar in it, and spray it on him once in a while. Unfortunately you can't spray cats with essential oils, so I'm thinking of getting her one of those tick and flea repellent collars. The issue is that both the cat and dog are indoor-outdoor and snuggle, and the Frontline prevents the ticks from lodging themselves under their skin, but they still "hitch a ride" despite it, and frankly I don't want to get lyme disease or have a guest end up with a tick.....so I need some kind of repellent. I've read that planting thyme and geranium in the garden helps (handy since they both tolerate our scorching summers. This weekend I hope it stops raining long enough for me to give the little garden a good once-over with the rake. I've also read that spraying problem areas with soapy water helps. I'm not sure how realistic this is since woodland borders my little garden (photo attached).... but I do think some lovely suckering once-blooming old roses might enjoy the conditions of the dappled shade... These photos are from a couple of weeks ago, still pretty dismal looking in the early spring! But the wisteria is going to start blooming soon enough...