Daisey, thinking that you are about the same as a US Z8, if they were in the ground without protection over winter they are most likely dead. Sometime in the next 4-5 weeks, if alive, they would begin to show little bits of green at the old leaf axils - new growth beginning. Mine in my similar climate will usually endure about 5 years average on my semi protected (partly glassed) porch before the temperature drops just low enough to wipe them out, even though I cover them with old tablecloths in the worst weather....I would surely lose them to a few nights below 28F (-2.2C?) in the ground. We had a rough winter, my own in 24" pots, semi protected, are showing no signs of life here either, I'm almost certain I've lost them this year. Giving the stems a pinch between fingers reveals firm tissue closer to the soil line (soft further up) but I'm not holding out much hope and expect to be shopping for replacements.

The rant wasn't wasted Ken; I read it with great enjoyment first thing this morning. For me, the loss is much more economical than personal. As you get older there is the realization that some things just aren't meant to be. I don't mean settle or overtly accept things as they are. Do the best you can, learn from your mistakes, and then move on. However with the prices of our conifer beauties...their loss can momentarily sicken me. Anyway, just taking a break from yard work. My husband will be delighted that 12 rose bushes came out today. We badly need rain here. The ground where I was digging is dry and will drop a soaker hose on the bed once it's cleaned up a bit. Haven't seen the sun for days because the Sacramento Valley gets fogged in. Daily highs around 45F to 50F is perfect working weather! Barbara

Inmca, When they (bulbs) bloom should depend primarily on the variety and the weather. If youÂre going to dig them up, IÂd leave the foliage on for at least a month after theyÂve finished blooming, then dig them up and store them in a cool, dark, dry place until the proper planting time for spring blooming bulbsÂwhich is after the weather and soil has cooled enough that they wonÂt start growing right away. TheyÂll be rooting all winter and be all set to come up again in spring. If you replant them right away, they may start to come up this year, and it could really mess them up. If theyÂve developed next yearÂs "flowers" before you dig them up, you shouldnÂt really affect next springÂs bloom. The worst thing youÂll do by moving them is delay their developing a big "clump." When you dig them up, watch for the new, small bulbs developing around the original bulbs, and replant them too. They may not bloom next year, but should the following spring. With my bulbs, by the way (I donÂt have very many yet), I deadhead the flowers to keep them looking neat and then keep cutting the foliage back little by little as it browns, which keeps them looking surprisingly good, and gives them whatever benefit leaving the foliage on doesÂif it does! Iris arenÂt bulbs. TheyÂre tubers I think! Cnetter can correct me if IÂm wrong! The main thing about iris is to plant them shallowly. If too deep they wonÂt bloom. Mine (new last year) was too deep and IÂve corrected it and hope to finally get a few flowers next year. When we were at the swap, Cnetter, Charlene, and I were looking at her "old" gardens that were put in by a previous owner and are now overgrownÂand waiting to be revivedÂand when I asked about my iris, Cnetter pointed out that the tubers of many of the bearded iris were actually visible on the surfaceÂand they were blooming beautifullyÂespecially considering they had been deserted for many years. Happy bulb digging, Skybird

Thanks. BS was and was not on my radar (new here) . A few roses did lose quite bit of it's leaves as the season progressed last year, right before Sept/Fall time. I have not decided whether I'm going to be spraying or not. I try not to ....survival of the fittest, eh. Since you mentioned it, I guess it t would be worthwhile to spend some time pulling/ID the crossing stems and thinning it out. I would say we're talking maybe 3 sets of crossing canes. I -noticed- how dense it was and saying it needs more air... HA HA. You guys should have seen me last year. I like buying plants physically in person. I get to cherry pick the lot....ya know. With mail order roses, there was a few, I was not crazed how the budded stems were and in what direction they were in. There was more than a few where I actually had put down stakes and had twine pulling/redirecting the budded stems.