ALAS, Ingrid -- I suspect Bright Red is what you get in a hotter climate. I suspect I might get that in a Really Bad Heatwave -- and one of these days, I'll probably find out. As for Heirloom and the virused roses ... I think the problem lies in the fact that they misunderstood how virus works. Sure, it IS spread in budding -- but you don't avoid it by taking cuttings from a virused plant. AND roses imported from Europe can't be considered virus-free -- because we kindly sent virused plants over there for years. So, the description should read "TESTED virus-free." (Unless, of course, it has not been tested, in which case they probably not ought to mention it at all, eh?) BTW, at one time, we had 3 plants of the HT, 'Secret.' One of the three was by far the most-vigorous. And yet, that was the only one of the three that periodically displayed signs of virus. We knew it was there, in the other two plants. We just couldn't SEE it. Jeri

Since so many irises have a difficult time in my climate, I don't tend to throw anything away as long as it survives. There have been a few, though, that I was just as glad to see die after they bloomed. I've had irises go as long as 8 yrs before giving me maiden bloom. Sometimes it just takes them a looooong time to acclimate here. If you want to hang onto your non-bloomers in hopes of seeing them bloom some day, I recommend reading the FAQs (link at top of forum page) for suggestions on getting those non-bloomers to bloom. Laurie

Yes this new garden is probably going to be the smallest and most slapdash garden I have ever started out with. It couldn't be helped, it was this way or no garden for spring. I knew I could never survive winter without some hope of a garden! The lasagna style garden formation has worked out quite well over the years for me. This time however it was a formidable prospect. Our property was abandoned for several years so the grass was waist high when we purchased it. My husband knocked down the grass then mowed it quite short. I sprayed the area twice with roundup (which I wouldn't normally use) and then I planted a bunch of roses, 7 varieties of species lillies, dozens of bulbs, some hosta, catnip and a few reliable perennials, willy nilly. I was fairly certain I could have heavy losses from frost heaves but it was the best I could do that late in the year. Happily, I located the garden in a spot where the snow naturally drifts and collects all winter so it looks like I only lost one plant. The tulips and daffs are blooming beautifully and cheer me immensly! I have stacks of newspaper I scrounged for and saved all winter waiting to be put to use. My DD brought me a dozen bags of mulch for Mothers day too. I am waiting for the soil to warm up more so that I can lay the newspaper down and cover it neatly with mulch. Because I didn't get a vegie garden area going last fall either I am going to plant vegies in the flower bed. Lots of empty space for them there while the perennials take their first year of "sleep". Instead of towering spires of delphiniums and alce it will be heirloom tomatoes and bean pole towers. It will be cool I think! Right now though I am glad that I live in a rural area because this years spring chaos mess would never fly with in town neighbors. We have 5 acres we are cleaning up and clearing brush on here. We are also clearing out the area we want our new home to be built on (and building it ourselves!). I suspect no matter how hard my husband and I work this summer that we will never be caught up and untidyness will rule!

Yes, they do sell the pedestals (at $179 each) but I am going to try them out without them first or see if I can find some on Craigslist. We stopped at Lowes first to see if they would do a price match since they are closer to us than Sears. We were really surprised that they gave up an extra 10% off the Sears price! We ended up getting both the washer and dryer at half off ($404. each), we'll get a rebate for the cost of delivery and hopefully at least $100. rebate from our electric company. GREAT deal, but you only have till 9 pm tonight (Sears or Lowes)!