Thanks larry gene. yeah, some people meaning smart people. Guess I ain't one of them kind. Just sprayed the heck out of my plants. Guess I'll find out in a week or two whether I burned 'em, and in few months whether I got the critters. One piece of advice I heard that's worth repeating here for anyone who hasn't heard it: when you're spraying something that kills by smothering, it's best NOT to spray in the heat of the day. Here in Southern California, our days, even in winter, can get upwards of 80 degrees (don't they wish they had winters like that in the Midwest and the East!). So, potentially, Golden Pest Spray Oil could damage the leaves if I were to spray it mid-day. Just a heads up for anyone using this product, or a similar type oil spray. Of course, if you're plant is still dormant, you won't have to worry about burning the leaves 'cause there won't be any! Hope this helps, ThisBud4U

Oh, you don't actually have as much fog as we do! "Grandmother's Hat" is a very obliging rose. You can allow it to be quite tall, you can espalier it as a climber, or you can prune it much as you would a tall Hybrid Tea Rose. We have recently planted a row of it, fairly close together, to grow into an informal hedge. It's a vigorous plant, however, and I think I might be more likely to plant it as a group of three, rather than a group of five. Five of "Grandmother's Hat" would make quite a statement, but would need quite a bit of real estate. And, if you are visiting Vintage (I assume you mean that you are going to their retail outlet at Garden Valley Ranch?) I recommend that you also get their clone of 'Larry Daniels.' LD is one of two pale-to-blush sports of "Grandmother's Hat," and they now have a very vigorous clone of it. Jeri

Since no one else has attempted an answer, I'll put in my 2¢, although I haven't had experience with cane borers. (Knock on wood!) I tried doing a little research for you, and most sources suggested pruning. One source named a chemical, but the article was aimed at professionals (who have licenses to use chemicals not on the regular market). If this is the same cane borer that also attacks raspberries and currents, the articles state that pruning is an excellent control, since the insect has a two-year life cycle. Hope this helps. Good luck with your golden elder--that's a lovely bush.

Yes dypsis lutescens is the one i mean... 1 more question does it need sun light to turn colors ?