Oldhouselover: Concerning the tree, cut it whenever you would like or find convenient. It's already growing there, it won't hurt to leave it until fall when the leaves on the roses are cleared and it's easier to reach in there. Don't sweat it or worry :). Just make sure not to forget to cut it in the fall - it must go. 4 more months of growth from the tree won't hurt the rose. Amazingly, if that is a Tree of Heaven, which I'm almost positive, that tree may be only one year old, possibly two. They grow fast. So don't forget to cut it out this fall :). I personally would not use any herbicide whatsoever on the tree of heaven. Due to your sentimental feelings for the rose and desire to keep it as healthy as possible, the risk of accidentally spilling even a little herbicide is too great. Just be vigilant and be ready to cut the little shoots the ToH will inevitably send out in the spring once you cut it down. I would move the hostas. Others here would have better knowledge on how/when to trim the rose to a more managable and visually appealing form. The hostas, though, are being overrun by the rose and if you would like to save them, move them. Even if you want to keep them in that bed, you can move them out of the way of the rose. It happens. Sometiems my stuff gets out of control so I just move it. It's hard to kill hostas. They'll be happy wherever you put them as long as it's not full sun. Most importantly, don't OVERCARE for the rose!!!!!! :). That's the biggest mistake I see most people on all of these forums make, especially people new to gardening. I've seen more isntances of people overcaring for their plant and damaging it than undercaring for a plant. Keep in mind, the rose is decades old and apparently no one cared for it too much, and it's still alive and thriving :). Ignore your impulses for fertilizer, watering everyday, and all that. It is a beautiful bush and I'm sure those on this forum will be able to help you trim it into a more managable form :).

WOW! Lots of replies! Here's my replies to y'all :-)) pippi21 - yes, we rent the property. Have been here since Nov of 07. That's the main deterrent to puttin a lot of money into the land. I plan on digging up the lilies if/when we ever have to move. From the sounds of it when we talk he don't want us to move... EVER!! LOL I have thought quite a bit about doing container gardening around the house... seems like a good idea to create my own containers too :D Tammy - I got the aerial photo by going to www.bing.com and clicking on the "maps" link. From there I just entered my address and then selected "Bird's Eye View" from the options on the map that shows up. FlowerLady - I know what you mean about age. I'm only 38 but due to my previous line of work (construction) I am feeling more than my age most days. I am a human barometer due to the injuries I've suffered from work and from barrel racing when I was younger! I currently don't have a job outside the home but I'm waiting on getting back to work with DH soon! Gardening is definitely an addiction... one which I haven't even started to get into yet... maybe that's why I've been procrastinating?? ;-) This area is gorgeous to live in and yes it is VERY peaceful... I've always been a "country girl" and just love living out here surrounded by farmland! Nancy - I talk to my landlord about my plans quite often as he's usually out here every day or so... those sheds in the photos are his "hideaway" as he lives in the city and he comes out here to be alone and get some peace and quiet! We actually have a pretty good understanding and we talk a lot more than most tenants and landlords do. I'm still undecided whether I really want a stream out there in the back... I might just put some woodland plants out there for now and see how they do. It looks A LOT more green in the photos than it does when you walk through it... mostly weeds due to the trees blocking almost all the sunlight. I actually used that overhead photo as a base for my plan. I have a larger version of it as well as a topo map that I got from the same site. I used the plan that I have drawn even though it's just a draft, to show my landlord what I would like to do.. he doesn't seem to care as long as we don't damage anything LOL. Renee - It's quite funny that you mentioned wildflower meadow as I've been thinking about turning the section that my DH doesn't like to mow too often into a meadow... although from what I've read about online it seems like an awful lot of work since the area would be almost an acre!! Don't think I could till that much ground and live to tell the tale LOL... I think that will wait for another time. I really do like the idea of container gardening... it's probably something that I will do this year.. all I gotta do is restrict my want list of plants!! LOL easier said than done. I want to thank everyone for all your great suggestions... I appreciate all the knowledge and advice that y'all have given and will show photos of anything I decide to do... gotta show off all the hard work right?? ;-)) ttfn Cheryl.

Jan, I really like that MG picota, I've not seen that one before. I put some growing up the lattice on the side of my shade house in red, white and blue but they don't get enough sun so I only get a couple blooms at a time and not all three at once. Oh Well, the vine looks cool. Jo

Jen come on over. I'll show you how to dive right over the side! :) Angela Pascali never has any scent during the hot Summer. But I think it has a litlle during Spring and FAll when it is cooler. That color on LI is Golden Yellow. Probably my favorite color rose. Next to dark Reds and Apricots. I have a Houston, Gold Strike and a Golden Masterpiece. They are all great Golgen Yellows. Lesley Thanks. You sound pretty cool too! Niecey Come on over. Plenty of floaty toys to go around. Jean CPM is really dark. Even during the heat wave. It has nice dark green leaves also. One of my Favorite for sure. Duchesse Thank You Thanks Patricia. Putty Tat likes to wonder around. Or crash out somewhere else during the day. Under a shady tree or on top of the neighbors shop or who knows. She's hard to get a picture of some time. I think she is camera shy. Take care all. Dave