What killing methods have failed so far? Have you tried cutting the stem(s) off below the leaves, then immediately applying concentrated triclopyr or concentrated glyphosate to the edges of the cut stem(s)? (The regular strength formula might work too, or might require additional applications (cutting the stem(s) just before each application); different plants have different susceptibilities. Your plant has a strong root system which enables it to keep sprouting, but regular, repeated applications will eventually kill it.) Always apply when the plant is actively growing. For example, if the soil is dry, water, then spray a day or two later when the temperature is at least 60* F. Morning is preferable to evening. These concentrates can be applied neatly and easily -- without putting other plants at risk -- with a cheap plastic squirt bottle (ken_adrian prefers a plastic mustard bottle, but you could just as easily use an old glue bottle or something similar) or an eyedropper you don't need to re-use for other purposes. [Triclopyr is the active ingredient in Ortho's poison ivy killer (Ortho changes the name every few years: the phrases "brush b-gon" and/or "poison ivy killer" and/or "tough brush killer" ususally appear somewhere). Other brands' poison ivy/woody plant/brush formulas usually may also contain triclopyr. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Round-up and other general weedkillers.]

Nat, I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench into your list but I took out Ducher because I could not keep black spot off of it. Thrips loved it and so did the Japanese beetles. It was an underperformer for me, here in Atlanta. Others love it, so thatÂs just my experience. Gruss An Aachen is a great rose but he needs to be sprayed here if you want him to look good--if not, you're going to see a lot more cane. BUT, he does respond well to occasional spraying and he does bloom even when I let him get spotty. BelindaÂs Dream is also nice but does better with some spray. BTW, her blooms are much larger and more impressive in the cooler weather of the spring and fall. Of the ones youÂve listed, Marie Daly is the most disease resistant and has the most continual bloom. The fragrance also carries on the breezeÂwhich I really like. SdLM is another great rose. Mine does get some BS but with a little shot of anti-fungal spray every now and then, she does well. The blooms are beautiful and smell great. Neither SdLM or MD are very large, thoughÂboth maybe 3.5 to 4 feet tall and wide. What about Duchesse de Brabant? SheÂs on JeanÂs list that you mentioned and she made the Earthkind list in Texas. She has beautiful pink blooms that smell like raspberries to me. Mine is taller than wide but I've heard others report that their DdB are larger. I just went out and would call mine "lightly thorny". Although she does have some thorns, it seems like way less than others like her neighbor, Buff Beauty. Hope this information helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Duchesse de Brabant

Neil, creeping on other people's plants now? and photographing them too? (I'd do the same but don't tell anyone) Great looking plant though. The color does look like white sage but the leaf shape seems a bit different. I had a white sage and the leaves were about the same width but longer. Then again Neil's picture from the bushes across the street might not give the full effect. :)

I successfully used Bayer 3-in-1 on a huge variety of plants to fight an awful mealybug infestation, and then to prevent it from recurring for a few years. Tropicals, house plants, orchids, succulents and others. I observed no ill effects on any of my plants. It works well for the intended purpose, and actually helped me save plants I was ready to toss in the garbage. However, imidacloprid is truly nasty stuff and WILL kill various beneficial insects like bees. It's effects on humans and plants is proven detrimental by science, though I never observed any myself (and I have 2 dogs and a cat - the cat likes to nibble occasionally on various plants). But, please, do your own research on this chemical before making any decisions about it's use. NY state recently outlawed imidacloprid and I can no longer obtain it easily (amazon won't even ship to me, for example). While I could drive to NJ and pick some more up, I have switched over to using a neem based concoction described by Al Tapla many places, most recently in this thread: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3412342/ficus-losing-a-couple-new-young-leaves#15915148 Neem is not a contact killer, it interrupts the pests ability to feed and reproduce, so you may need to apply it weekly for a few weeks before seeing the affects, but it does work well and is 100% safe for humans, plants and beneficial insects. It's used in food products in many parts of the world. However, it has an awful odor, so be aware. The good news is that it breaks down very quickly and the smell usually dissipates within 24 hours. But your wife/kids/friends may not be happy during that 24 hours. I burn a ton of incense on neem day.