I attended part of it (would have done more but our daughter lives there and we spent most of our time visiting her and her family). The garden tours are always one of the highlights of the conventions. It's fun to see how other people grow their roses, and you can get some good ideas from them. The convention this September will be in St. Louis. Hotel costs will be less and we will have some great tours. We will also have some outstanding speakers like Tom Carruth of Weeks, Gregg Lowery of Vintage Gardens, Steven Scanniello, and Thomas Proll of Kordes in Germany. Hope some of you can make it. www.arsconventionstl.com.

As a vendor at several of the recent conventions, 99% of the time my prices are the same prices I charge by mail order and here at the nursery. Sometimes I will lower my price, if I feel other vendors may have the same plant to compete for your dollars. Occasionally, I may raise a price if I feel a plant is especially large and nice. Vending is a job and there is a lot of expense in it for vendors. Vendors can't break even, let alone turn a profit, if no one buys their plants, so I think everyone tries to be fair with their prices.

the better question.. would be.. WHEN DID THEY START GIVING convention plants ... eh?? .. you know.. prior to TC.. how would you come up with the volume of plants you would need???? maybe bruce B would have that answer .... i always thought.. columbus circle was a convention plant??? .. but i do not know why i think that .... ken

Breaking news, victim being flown to hospital at this hour Details are sketchy, apparently some misunderstanding about about H.ÂHanky Panky and H.ÂRicky BusinessÂ. Detectives believe this altercation has to do with a possible elder drug craze sweeping the country. As soon as we can unravel the significance H. possible code word we will break into regular broadcasting. FBI investigating interstate trafficking in H. ATF agents are questioning 5 women, the apparent attackers, about H. which seems to be grown under lights in basements during the winter then concealed in landscapes right under law enforcements eyes. The suspects all have the same story, as if rehearsed, blaming crown rot. Nancy Grace is flying in to cover this case. Victim reportedly was seen loaded on a stretcher with huge smile, unable to speak and suffering from a condition call Fastigiate, a woman known as ROFLOL in H. circles seemed to be fascinated by this condition and is wanted for questioning. This cult is known to practice rituals called stomping, rossing, stalk removal. Possible overdose of whatever H. is. Complete details at 11:00 Stay tuned!