Here are the top performers in my relatively new rose garden, so far: Pink Cracker M. Tillier Mutabilis John Paul II (on Fortuniana) Mr. Lincoln (on Fortuniana) Europeana (on Fortuniana) Le Pactole Duchess Du Brabant Caldwell's Pink Alister Stella Grey Teasing Georgia (on Fortuniana) I'm sure that this list will change next year, as my Vintage Gardens bands mature. Also, I really don't expect the ones grafted onto Fortuniana to live very long and I will not be purchasing any more grafted roses. Reason: Graft separation/failure, too many of them have died.

My wish list: Does anyone know where I can find Western clematis(Clematis ligusticifolia) or the seed for it? I've heard it's supposed to be a native plant, and would like to try growing it. I'm also planning on putting in a crab in the next year or two (to replace the massive poplar we had to cut down last summer.) I'm wanting lots of spring blossoms, but also looking for flavorful/colorful fruit for jelly (mmm...crabapple jelly...) Any suggestions on what variety I should get? Third question: We're putting in a fence in the spring, and I'm going to have an arbor over the entry, I'm looking for a hardy climbing rose (really hardy...I've had bad luck with them so far) that blooms for all/most of the season. (The location will be a West exposure with nearly full sun) Any suggestions for me? I'm not too fussy about the color, but I would like something fairly fragrant. Others on my wish list... Hollyhocks - especially the double blossom varieties Lupins - blue or deep pink varieties Azaleas & Rhodos - if I can find varieties that will grow here. Creeping Phlox Painted Daisies Cranesbill Goats Beard Canterbury Bells Heuchera 'Amethyst Mist' - can't wait to hit the stores for this one - love the foliage color Snowball Bush And More Lilies - I don't think I'll ever have enough. Not sure where I want to put it all yet, but I've been laying awake at night and dreaming of turning the 25'x50' space beside my green house into a large flowerbed with pond and waterfall with a whole lot of plantings behind and around it. I can envision it, although I probably won't start that one for a couple of years. This year is going to be killing caragana, installing fences, my arbor, and a flower bed on both sides of the fence once the caragana is dead, also have to replace the front steps, and walkway. Gee...now that I write it all down, it sounds like a lot of work...all this and a 10 month old who will be running around by then...It should be entertaining!! LOL! Verena

I'm with Debra. I'm really out of space right now. But here's 10 that I'd like to have anyway - just don't mention it to my DH. Many are older varieties that I just can't seem to get from the growers I've ordered from: Antique Rose Borders On Pink Chicago Candy Cane Christopher Russell Comic Strip Georgia O'Keefe Heavenly Angel Ice Iron Eyes Rainbow Over Georgia Hold Your Horses. I have seen both Heavenly Angel Ice and Hold Your Horses In Person. Both are just beautiful daylilies. HAI is very white and has the prettiest ruffles on a UFO that you've ever seen. Hold Your Horses is just plain awesome. The flower is huge, and held up high on the plant. It's a plant that you notice from a distance, and you have to walk over to it to take a closer look. Hopefully my hybridizer friends who are growing both plants will get some good increase and I will be able to add both plants to my garden next spring! Linda

Bkay, I sincerely hope you have a better year in terms of your health and your hostas. Glad to hear you are retiring! From what I remember reading here on the forum, you have continued to run a business far beyond your normal retirement...if I am recalling correctly. You are definitely due some R and R ... and entering this 2017 growing season with nothing but healthy hostas is a terrific start! Wish you much joy in your garden and am looking forward to seeing pictures of your remaining healthy, beautiful hostas again....and no doubt some new additions? ;-)