I went a little rambler-happy when I ordered for the cemetery. There are quite a few big trees there, and I basically picked one for almost every tree. If Brian the caretaker doesn't want them all, I just may keep one or two for myself -- and save the rest for another cemetery I'm already eyeing. This is what I've got sitting in pots right now: Brenda Colvin Kew Rambler Kiftsgate Mlle Cecile Brunner, CL Polyantha Grandiflora Rambling Rector Seagull The Garland Treasure Trove Violette Wedding Day summersrhythm -- If you got the real 'R. moschata', I'd recommend planting it against a wall or side of a house, facing south. Mine was getting hit hard by Winter, and this Spring I dug it up and moved it to where it got more sun. Hopefully, this will allow it to ripen more before Winter sets in. For you, I doubt it'd make much of a climber. Even where it's warmer, it's more of a big sprawling shrubby thing -- look at pics of it on HelpMeFind. Of course, there is the question of whether you got the real thing. Some places sell 'R. brunonii' under that name. Others sell something else entirely. BTW, what is "Thema"? I can't find anything about that one. Was it a typo? :-) ~Christopher

Hi, Matt, Thank you sooo much for sharing your tuberose growing experiences and wisdom. Appreciate it!! I am in zone 5, windy city Chicago , much cold area than NJ. All my tuberose have to grow in pot.I bought 3 single and 3 double tuberose bulbs along with whole bunch of other fragrant bloom bulbs from Edens Bloom. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed by quality of their bulbs... The single one are so tiny , they can't be called bulbs! They are just a bunch of dried roots. I doubt there are enough energy stored in them for them to last till next spring. Some bulbs I got have already have 3" new growth in the paper bag...There is no way I can keep them in dormant till next Spring. You are so right about "No bulb appreciates sitting in a bag all winter". After hearing your story, I am definitely go for your option #2 ... I am going to water them regularly, give plenty of sunlight, and fertilizer to encourage them to grow the best they can throughout the winter time. Hopefully by starting them early, when next fall comes, they would catch up and bloom. Although, I am somewhat patient. If it does not bloom next year, it is Ok. I can wait for them to grow stronger and put out a bigger spike of flowers the year after. Do you find they are easy to start growing or take long time for them to start to grow from bulbs? I have never grown tuberose before, I am not sure if some of the bulbs are still alive. Talking about growing Brugs. in ground, I am so envy you... I have three, each is in half-whiskey barrel size pots that need to be moved inside to the basement soon... Image what my back will say--leave them outside. Again, Matt, You have been great help. Thank you!!!!

Just wanted to circle back and update you all since you were kind enough to share your recommendations and experiences-- and even those of your siblings (special thanks to Mtn's sis!) After a few days of pulling out my hair as SO's siblings set and changed plans multiple times, we have our plans and they worked out even better than we expected. We'll be hosting his brother/SIL here in Harrisburg and we'll meet up with his sister in New Hope. We have a night booked in New Hope and one in Phila.. which is just what we wanted. We'll spend a day meandering the Bucks County countryside and then head down to Philadelphia where we'll have a nice dinner and then shop a bit and hit one of the winter popups. Paul Strand exhibit on Saturday and then head home. We are really hoping for nice weather. We really enjoyed the summer popup at Spruce Street Harbor ad now we are looking forward to visiting the winter incarnation-- as well as the one at Love's Park (close to where we are staying). We met the urban designer who came up with the concept for Spruce Street Harbor when we were there in Sept-- the design was so fun and inventive! A great transformation of the park! Here's a peek at the winter version.. a heated tent with leather sofas and wool throws is next to the ice rink.. outdoors you'll find adirondack chairs and fire pits... and the signature shipping container outposts for hot chocolate and more spirited libations! I am so looking forward to the getaway-- a perfect winter escape! Thank you all for your part in our planning! I'll toast you with a warm drink!

Talking about one's first trip to England ... When I was in high school, my dad worked for a company that would send him to England for two weeks, then he'd be home for two weeks, then Germany for two weeks -- lather, rinse, repeat. He was able to take my mom with him on a few of these trips, but I had all of my "teenage things" going on and it probably never even registered to me that I might enjoy going as well. When my high school graduation was approaching, my parents offered me a trip to England (all on my own, although we had/have friends there at the time who would've looked after me) - OR, help with buying my first car and a trip to hang out with a family who had an adorable college- aged son in Daytona Beach. Guess which one I (foolishly) chose? I did consider the offer of England, though, and even had a lovely high school teacher who was quite an Anglophile himself, and when he learned of my consideration he tried to sway me in favor of England. He brought me books to read, maps, brochures, and outlined an itinerary for me. He was truly a lovely, lovely man (now long since passed on). Anyway, I got the new 1980 Pontiac, got the trip to Daytona (where I deepened my crush on the college boy, to no avail), and England returned to the deep, dark recesses of my mind. Sometime in the 90s (I'd have to dig deep to remember the actual date), my mother asked me if I'd like to accompany her to visit our friends -- the ones who would've looked after me, had I chose to visit after graduation) in their 450-year old thatched-roof cottage. Well, of course I wanted to -- so I did. And thus began my love affair with England that, despite several instances post-trip where I told myself, "OK, that was the very last one", it remains in my blood and I truly don't know if I'll ever be done returning. I will never forget that very first trip, though -- of being in Gerry's car (with him driving on "the wrong side"), whisked from London-Heathrow to just outside a little village in Wiltshire where their cottage stood, and saying over and over to myself, "I can't BELIEVE I'm in England!" Waking the next morning to the raucous call of the rooks in the tree out the little wonky window of my room, I thought, "That's ENGLAND out there!" And after many other trips across the pond, I still think the very same thing each time. It never gets old. I don't think it ever will.