Well done Seil, and that's the perfect antidote to winter rose death. Nothing like new plants to add excitement to the rose season! Among those you list, I've had good hardiness pretty consistently from Lady X, Legends, Pink Peace, Tiffany, and Valencia without any particular fussing. None of those bloom tremendously frequently for me, as many show HTs don't, but I agree with the enthusiasm for Valencia. The blooms are to die for and my plant has regrown well from the roots even this last winter. Among the others, I've had Bella Roma and Cinnamon Dolce die on me once, but they were relatively late delivered bareroots and didn't make it through the summer. I've tried again with Bella Roma and also have Bee's Knees planted this spring, and so far so good. Gemini has survived reluctantly in my warm zone 6 pocket in the ground, so it might prefer some babying in your real zone 6 in pots. Have fun, and if you want more "N" rose suggestions, I agree that Neptune is a good HT that has survived well for me, as does my preference Nostalgie (Heirloom now sells this one) and Nigrette (lovely dark red blooms, but not show worthy). If you go outside of HTs, the floris Nimbus and Nina Nadine are both nicely hardy for me, and Nimbus is a haunting russet-lavender color. Nymphenburg is a plant and forget Hybrid musk and Nicole would be an ideal choice as a Kordes flori except that most of the plants sold are really Hannah Gordon (hence no "N"). Neil Diamond looks very promising for a striped HT that has show potential, but I can't report on hardiness till next year. Of course, if you have room for a climber Nahema is a hands-down winner on all accounts. Any "X" roses out there beyond X-Rated? That's the only letter I'm missing, and I'm not as much into minis if I can do that letter otherwise. Anyway, enjoy your purchases and have a great time watching them bloom! Cynthia

I'm glad you got giggle out of it & have the same experience. It was suppose to be sarcastic, Rita. I seriously think dls should be treated as speciman plants. One has to get up close to appreciate all of their suddle beauty characteristics & viewing it 6' away is not happening. I can see myself getting in there a few times a day to admire up close, but to not even see it's face all day walking by was annoying. I can get in there now, but in a couple years when the clumps grew in, it wouldn't be as easy. The hardest part was using my body as a block from the sun to get a picture. One of these days I will break off a scape from stepping over them to get to one that's in bloom. My next dl beds are going to be long strips with only 2-3 dls wide w/ paths between each row. It doesn't have to be straight strips either, I was thinking about doing an area at my next garden creating a maze out of dls, or some curvy design bed with paths in between. I tried the umbrella trick a couple of weeks ago when I had a bloom or 2, it still didn't work on GR. The white paper trick too, still can't get it right. All of the other dl colors come out true, but not GR! That is why it is on the snob & sassy list. It really is a beautiful flower & the green edge pops with that purple. Jury is still out on flower form & longevity. The new bloom on the new scape was the best it has been yet so it seems promising. I had a duet of LTA today, 1 bloom was being more polite, LOL!

Hi Peeps - cross posting from kitchens- I finally chose my appliances for my new build. Does anyone have any experience with the items listed below? Tell me what you think! Fridge: KFCS22EVMS Kitchenaid (72" high) counter depth French Door Fridge http://www.kitchenaid.ca/flash.cmd?/#/en/product/KFCS22EVMS/ Range: LSE3092ST LG "Slide in" Range (not a true slide in, does not require a granite slab behind it) http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lg-electronics-lg-5-4-cu-ft-slide-in-self-clean-smooth-top-range-lse3092st-stainless-steel-lse3092st/10141936.aspx Range hood: Arda HAM52A http://www.ardaappliances.com/index-2d.html Microwave: Sharp 24 inch MW drawer Dishwasher: Miele Inspira http://www.miele.ca/miele/canada/dish_insp_g2141scu.asp THanks all!!!

You've put a lot of thought and research into this so I would go for it. You will feel so much better. I know I am guilty of overthinking and hesitating because of a bad review or two. The appliances had the features I wanted so I will just deal (and maybe rant and rave) if there are problems in the future. Or maybe get an extended warranty on the DW if that will make you more comfortable.