OK, I didn't upload the pics I took to my photobucket account yet, so I'm being lazy and offering any of you on Facebook the opportunity to see them in my "NJ Garden" album. My Heirloom Roses order came two weeks ago, and that pic is the 37th in the album, followed by a shot of 'Souvenir de Victor Landeau' as it's leafing out this year (I got it as a band in April 2012), some up-close shots of the "Reine des Violettes" a-la Heirloom Roses, and a snapshot of the whole order potted up and individual shots of each. Then there's an "after" pic of one of the future Gallica beds, after I removed dead and "in the way" growth of the arborvitae, and finally the Vintage Gardens and Rogue Valley Roses order I received on Thursday. I'm overly meticulous with potting them up, so I got through half in four hours on Thursday, working until it got too dark to see. Then this morning (Friday) I finished the other half in another four hours, just in time to get cleaned up and ready for work. If I posted them all on here, I think I'd end up freezing someone's computer. One thing I have to say -- I notice that the medium Vintage uses for their bands is very "rocky" and seems both overly heavy for shipping weight, and prone to drying out en route. Some of their bands were wilting when I took them out, but perked back up after getting a long, slow drink. Rogue uses more of a peat-based medium, which seemed both lighter in weight and able to retain more moisture. Of all of the RVR bands, only 'Golden Buddha' seemed a bit wilty, but it also perked back up soon after being repotted and watered. My potting mix this time was equal parts peat moss, Bovung composted cow manure, and shredded hardwood mulch. I like how this mix felt, a nice mix of light and fluffy with enough water-holding ability and a good mix of slow-release organic nutrients for growth. I lined the bottom of each pot with newspaper to keep the mix from coming out of the holes but still allow water to drain out. I sprinkled Jobe's Organic Knock Out Rose food in layers as I added potting mix, using 1 cup for the 2-gallon pots and 1/2 cup for the 1-gallons. I think I prefer the 2-gallon pots, but did use the 1-gallons for the bands that were either much smaller, or for roses which themselves don't grow that big, and will be planted in the ground after I place the larger roses. I'll pot up the 1-gallons into 2-gallons later in the season. I'll keep updating that album as I go along. :-) ~Christopher Here is a link that might be useful: NJ Garden Pics

Brenda ~ I always plant late arriving irses in pots and overwinter in the house. This year I have MANY! I also got the 2 collections from Botanus and 4 from Vesey's. I usually purchase my irses from Trail's End or Chuck and have many from both of them that arrived in August. Ann just sent me 5 I was looking for as a gift for the puppy they adopted from my pack, I'm assuming....;). I much prefer fresh dug early to shriveled up late. =:> My main concern was the warm weather and the tulips. We are having a very late summer here. :/ I received these ones from McFayden's Visiting Royalty Raven Girl Exclusivity Rio Rojo Vesey's- 2 Rustler, Pagan Dance and Ziggy. :) Wonder what is up with McFayden's?

And, you are going to love Fujibotan for more reasons than one. It is known for its double flowers, which are not fragrant. However, it is also a very pretty plant. I've really enjoyed having it in my garden. No problems with slugs at all. The flower scapes are extremely tall, and I had to clip them together like a teepee, and this being their first year blooming for me, I was excited to see they really do have doubled flowers. In fact, some of the first blooms looked to be TRIPLE. But, let's just be happy with the pale lavender double flowers. And 5 nice scapes. On Stage is always a favorite, beautiful leaf pattern, and the color is fantastic.....my favorite kind of variegation.

Hello Friends, Andrew - I have ordered Tons of Stuff from them and have been so happy each time. I got a 5'-6' Foot Sweetheart Lychee, 5'-6' Foot Purple Caimito, 4'-5' Foot Jaboticaba, a 5' foot "San Pablo" Custard Apple, and a Awesome Pickering Mango tree that is fruiting right now. That is the stuff I bought. As for te Stuff I got for free. I got a Jamaican Strawberry tree which is now almost 7' feet, Barbados Cherry, A Guava, a 6' foot Grumichama Cherry, and a Sensitive Plant, and a couple of others. He really values his customers and wrote the book on customer service. Bo - Yes, I definietly believe in them and the proof is in the pudding. He really delivers and the product speaks for itself. He will do whatever to make you happy. Ask for some pictures so you will get exactly what you want and expect, and so there won't be any problems. Mickey is very happy to do so. They are by far the best Mail Order Nursery for us in California and West Coast. - Jacob