Jerryngeorgia: I haven't responded before now as I was trying to figure out what you have to trade. I looked at your other post about having "red pine cone ginger tublers, different varigated colored canna lily bulbs, and umbrella papius," and have been trying to research what the ginger and papius is. These are not normally found here. First, what do you have to trade? What are umbrella papius? Do you mean Papayas? Let me know so we can trade. You may want to create a trade list on your member's page to let us know what you want and have to trade. Happy Gardening! Mid tn mama

You might want to check out the thread on this forum from 3 days ago on soil sickness. Do a search at the bottom of the page you should be able to find it quickly. It's on page 2 as I type this.

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 :).

Beth, I had to look up 'fringed rose mallow' and see it's the same as hibiscus schitzopetalus. I had only heard it called Japanese lanterns, but had to be sure it was the same. Anyway, I just take end cuttings 10-12 inches long, strip off most of the leaves, put in potting soil and keep damp. I don't use rooting hormone and this is just my way, but maybe someone has a better system. I have also just stuck a piece in the ground and it rooted. Ginny