Oh Lord, the things we do in order to take care of our plants. Neonposey I have so much christmas stuff I have some stored in several cars. LOL of course they are parked on the back forty.LOL I have a storage area that use to have tools and stuff stored in it. Tossed a bunch of that stuff to make room for potting table, dirt, pots, and every kind of garden tool you can think of. You might be a redneck if you have a toilet in your yard with plants planted in the back tank and the pot it's self. Of course you have to have it near the bath tub with plants in it too. People get the biggest laugh out of comming around a hidden bend and coming upon that sight. It's really cute, in stange way. LOL Thank goodness I live in the sticks and alot of people don't know I have an outdoor bathroom. Happy Redneck Gardening, Marian

Annette.... Growing fig trees is probably one of the easiest, and most delicious things you could do. Decide whether in ground, or containerized. Decide on location. (Full-sun, and heat, is good) Figs grow/develop on new wood, so prune if you must to control growth. Read postings on this forum about when/where to prune, and pinch new growth. The winter will be your problem. If containerized, and heavy...buy a dolly @ Home Depot and roll the plant(s) around. Read postings on winter storage/dormancy. Buying a twig/small, rooted-cuttings is a waste of time. Get a bearing-age tree, and you'll have fruit this year. Check your local garden centers for good trees. Twigs die out if not grown perfectly, and in the long run, you'll get more bang for the buck by starting off with a larger plant. I grow my 6 foot tall, single-stem trees in large storage tubs (with drainage holes), and all branches are grown at the top of the long bare trunks. I roll the trees around on dollies. This saves the back, and I'm hernia free. If you can store the trees (containerized) in an unheated garage or dark, cool, storage shed you'll probably solve your winter problems. Buy a short-season fig variety. If at a bearing age, and growing vigorously, pinch back new growth to 6 leaves on each branch for earlier ripening of main-crop figs. You'll be chowin' down on figs by September, or earlier! Seriously, this forum is the only place to get good, solid, up-to-date, fig-growing information. If you are going to buy figs through the mail, stay away, no...run away! from Ty-Ty, and Willis Orchards. Why?...search this forum. Also, west-coast nurseries are known for selling fig trees with mosaic virus. I learned the hard way. I personally have grown only one short-season variety called "Atreano"...which makes a very large, golden-yellow fig that's really sweet... if, ripened correctly. Do a search for this excellent, smaller-growing fig variety. It's a good start. Deer might not be a problem, but birds could be! Hope this helps you decide what to do. Read everything about growing figs on this forum, then decide how you will want to grow the tree(s)...then, go shopping. It's fun, and you'll be hooked. We were all normal once. : ) : ) BronxFigs

This orientalis has some yellow and variable greens throughout, particularly around the leaf edges. Unfortunately, they are not in great quantity and the shape of the leaf is deformed which is a common problem among found variegates. I hope to breed from this and get a better form and more livelier color. Image link:

Sylvia while I can't help you identify your rose other than a wild guess of Mr. Lincoln. I would suggest contacting your local American Rose Society they have consulting rosarians that would be happy to come out and look at your rose. They could also suggest how best to prune and fertilize it. the other alternative is you wanna take a, wack at it yourself, is to cut out the three D's ,as Baldo likes to say, remove; dead, diseased and damaged canes. Damaged canes are often damaged because they are rubbing against another cane so removing one will help open up the plant, and in doing so will likely improve and invigorate the rose. Those are the basics but practically every rose book out there will further explain how to properly prune a rose bush there are also a number of helpful you tube videos specifically on pruning.