Thanks for a great link, triple_b. I know it is supposed to be a preventative, but I wenty ahead and sparyed the roses with the Peter Beales Good Health Roses spray I had the foresight to order with my GM Roses. I figure at least the uninfected ones can get some protection. Garlic sure sounds a lot cheaper to do! With all the freakout about the PM I forgot the main point of my post, and that was the buds themsleves! I am so stinking excited I can hardly stand it! This year I bought a rose with buds already on it, and I have my old mystery rose under the tree that came with the house. But these roses I chose and potted myself, and I am tremendously satisfied to see them coming to life and fulfilling their destiny. I LOVE plants, love to see things emerging in the Spring, love to see fruits of my labors. I think I have lot left to learn....and I relish the opportunity and challenge.

They're still trying to push out of their shells at the moment Brenda. I've got a bag over the cup they are in. I sprouted them in moist paper towels. Seems the one left in the baggie is just going to sit there all winter. But I haven't given up hope. Have never seen a brug seedling. Hope to see one unfurl in the coming week. Of course there will be photos. :)

Sam I sorry I have both plants but my Sedum is in flower at this time. I wonder how many other species has this name ? ? ? anyone. Norma

Tricea, The Hydrangea lecture that was presented by both Scotts and Polly Hill Arboretum last summer spent a good amount of time reviewing new and old cultivars that grow well in my zone. I have scanned the handouts from that lecture as well as the Dirr Hydrangea handout from his lecture tour last year that we were given as well, and would be happy to email these to you or anyone else who is interested but please forward me katyguerin@comcast.net your email address as I have given up on GW mail. My notes from this lecture are pure chicken scratch but one interesting point was they felt Hydrangea petiolaris 'Firefly' is a better choice than 'Miranda'. I too have 'Miranda' but mine seems to be at a standstill and I would love to try 'Firefly' as well. Cousin to H petiolaris is Schizophragmas hydrangeoides (Japanese Climbing Hydrangea). I have fallen in love with Schizophragma Roseum the leaves are not as shiny as H petiolaris but are thick dark green with a red blush that compliments the red of the new vine growth. This has been a moderate grower for me 3' it's first year. Another Schizophragma that was mentioned for itÂs beautiful flower at the lecture was ÂMoonlightÂ, which again I would love to try. I do grow Schizophragma ÂPlatts DwarfÂ, comments had been made to itÂs slow growth made this plant not worth while but my experience has been exactly the opposite with six feet of growth the first year. I will say some of its leaves seem to be reverting to a larger leaf. Another hydrangea that I that you might want to try is ÂLilacina 7 large but a real beauty, smaller 3-5 and new to me but my overall favorite Hydrangea serrata 'Miyama Yae-murasaki', Unusual in size 2 x 3 and blossom is another serrata ÂShirifugiÂ. Some small sized macrophyllaÂs that were recommended at the lecture that I am going to try this year are the City Lights Series, ÂViennaÂ, ÂParisÂ, ÂVeniceÂ, and ÂBerlinÂ. I will take a walk around the yard and see what else comes to mind. kt