Thanks for the replies and the hugs. Unlike most of you, my backyard is pretty much a desert. The previous owners were elderly, did nothing and allowed their kids to take down a big tree and poison the ground to get rid of the stump. I have very very little grass and mostly dirt that is very dusty. What I look out on is very ugly and bare. Until my husband became too ill, we rescued abused dogs. They pretty much trashed whatever I planted. So I decided on roses and put these only along the fence. My New Dawn turned out to be root stock, my Golden Showers isn't doing much showering and the dogs pretty much trashed my clematis last year playing tag and knocking over the fence around them. The clematis are coming back slowly, we dug up the "New Dawn" and did replace it with some lovely climbers I bought on line this year. Unfortunately, like all bare root they are twigs that will take time to grow and bloom. I really wanted...no make that...needed something pretty in my yard. That's why the local ordering so I could have a few plants in bloom. I did get 2 Veteran's Honor and a Pope John to go up by the house. The order they haven't called me back about is a Compassion, which I was hoping to have bloom a bit for me. I don't have a lot of places I can put roses, so I have to be choosy what I put in. I wish I could do like some of you and order a bunch at a time. I ordered several clematis on line and bought some at Lowe's but they won't be ready until next year. It's not that I don't know that it takes time. It's just that what I needed to have here for my soul is proving incredibly hard to get. I probably will never be able to afford to actually landscape but I did so want some color and some roses to look out at when life is gray. I'm only way down to Wal-Mart to get a trellis to plant some morning glories up on my deck. I guess its just for me that roses are very special, not just a hobby, but a need, so I guess that makes it worse when things go wrong. I was having a bad day yesterday. Depression is like that, but you do what you can to make the next day better. I have my dogs -- all 10 of them -- and what flowers I've been able to find and you lovely folks to keep teaching me new things. I hope you all have a marvelous Sunday! Peace, Jane and the Hole in the Wall Gang Here is a link that might be useful: Our Rescue Dogs

I've grown Mister Lincoln on and off for many years, and more often than not it takes on magenta/bluish shades. Those of you that posted magenta pink pics of Mister Lincoln...In my opinion, you definitely have the right variety, sometimes that's just how it looks. It's the marketing for 50+ years that's always described Mister Lincoln as the quintessential red, in truth it's not always that red. Back in the late 60s when it was introduced, I think it was rightly considered very red. But the standard is higher now, with the introduction of roses like Olympiad and Veterans Honor, which are a far purer, true red. Mister Lincoln also opens too fast and doesn't last as long as those newer reds. It is still probably the best of the old 'reds' , a strong grower with very good fragrance. I think Firefighter is the best compromise between old and new reds...it is quite red, still very fragrant, and very generous in bloom.

Hello Everybody, I am so glad to see the posting is again free. I am working full time now so I don't get here too often, but I do remember a very, very busy forum. I just wonder if all the "Old timers" (you know the ones that use to be here but left, know it is free now ) I have kept in touch with a few I will email them, and tell them the great news. Now that I know I can post I will be trying to stop by more often. Thanks and let's get thid board moving. Mary Ann

Yes, there are trees that have dark red leaves all year. Even a few that survive in Wisconsin. Not aware of any that have fiery red leaves all year. Alas, sugar maple and red maple (despite the name) do not. Sugar maple is fiery red in the fall but green the rest of the year. Red maple is bright red in the Spring and (if you are lucky) in the Fall. Green in between. Ditto for Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'. As far as trees that have dark red leaves all summer... If you have the space and patience, copper beech is...the best. It just kind of is. Totally breathtaking long lived tree with deep red leaves and perfect form. Should survive your cold winters. Unfortunately they are somewhat slow growing and difficult to transplant. Japanese Maples are kind of the standard for this use. If you want something smaller, some kinds of crabapple, like Prairifire give you flowers and red/burgandy leaves. Leaves may turn green in the summer. Purple Leaf Plum would also give you flowers and red leaves. Could you look up your USDA zone? What is your soil like? Sandy, salty, compacted, muddy, clay, alkaline? How far would this be from the nearest road house or power line? What threats will this tree face? Road salt, wind, gypsy moths?