I couldn't resist. I am a state tax policy geek. Questions about the nonsensical nature of Internal Revenue Code aside, no federal tax applies because there has been payment for the good. Sales tax is typically collected and remitted by the seller in those states that impose a sales tax. Currently, because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision by the name of Quill, states cannot compel a seller to collect sales tax unless the seller has a physical presence in the state (nexus). Many businesses use this to avoid tax...and while the customer benefits in the short term, states lose out long term including local businesses who can't fairly compete. Most states have a complimentary use tax, meaning state residents are supposed to pay use tax if no sales tax was paid (with a credit for other state sales taxes paid). As a practical matter, states generally only collect use tax from businesses in an audit situation. Personal purchases are too hard and expensive to pursue from an administrative perspective. That said, we states do appreciate those who voluntarily submit use tax in compliance with state law:-).

I use a three month window on this point. If it survives at least three months, then I figure something I did killed it. If it dies in the first three months and I did the same things with it that I did with other roses in the same shipment (and only one or two dies), then I generally assume something was wrong with the plant when I got it, or it had a hard time in transit, or it didn't like the transition from the greenhouse to outdoors. Only in those instances do I ask for a replacement. Rogue Valley and the other reputable vendors have usually supplied the replacements, if they had one, or they have asked me to take a substitute for that variety (of my choice) if they did not have another of the same rose. Kathy

uh-oh! better get things together. finally got an arbor for the entrance of the rose garden last weekend. brought it home, and the arbor is too narrow! really should have measured before purchasing... but i have to get this together. i want the clematis to grow with the roses. and now i have to make a decision about which clematis. i like so many --- was thinking of getting one for each side of the arbor, but would that look odd? thanks for the tip!!!!! --robbie--

Jon, I have ordered from a few of these vendors. The Uncommon Rose is a wonderful nursery that only deals in own-root roses. I have had very good luck with their roses and they are aptly named - it's a good place to find some odd varieties. Edmund's was recently turned over to Jung Seed Co. I have not ordered from them since the switch. Before the switch, they were one of the best out there, IMO - HUGE rootstocks, very healthy. I don't know if Jung will continue that tradition. To be fair, I have ordered roses from Jung in the past and not been disappointed - I got my Ramblin' Red from them and it's turned into a monster! Northland Rosarium is one I have mixed feelings about. They have a fantastic selection and they only sell own-roots (more on them in a minute). However, I was put off by their pricing policy. I thought they meant the $3.95 handling was a one-time addition to the bill, but they tack it on to every rose. A $13.95 rose ends up over $17, plus shipping. My fault for not reading it closely, but I wish they would just give the full price of the rose, rather than let you think you're getting a great deal. In their defense, the plants I got were healthy and strong. Your call. As MG says above, Pickerings has been an excellent supplier of roses for northern latitudes. They are starting to sell some own-roots but mostly stick with grafted. Selection and prices are great, though their service can be a little spotty, mostly because they have one really great guy doing everything by himself! In my experience, their roses are generally of fair to good quality with the occasional exceptional thrown in. I've had a few die on me, possibly my fault, but they were very prompt in giving a credit for them. As far as the arguments of grafted vs. own-root, they are endless. I don't agree that own-root roses themselves are necessarily evil. It depends at least partly on the type of rose you want to get. In the north, I wouldn't get a hybrid tea rose that wasn't grafted, but I wouldn't get a gallica that was. In the first case, own-root HTs are simply not strong enough to deal with our winters. Incidently, if you do buy grafted HTs, make sure you bury the graft 4 to 5 inches deep - they need the extra protection! In the second case, my only reason for buying a gallica or other 'old' rose would be for a hedge or other large feature - good luck if you think our winters can hold these roses back! Search this site for own-root roses and you'll find lots of good information and probably a few pie fights!