Thank you, Sandandsun, for that compliment. It is nice to know that people have enjoyed reading about my roses even if they weren't living in such a cold zone themselves. I must say that after all these years, just that smidgeon of decreased cold to garden in is exciting to me - although you'd never know any difference from the brutal winter just past! So I had to go out onto the patio to refresh my olfactory senses regarding Kordes' Savannah, where the roses on the wagon were snugged up to the glass door over night (it's only 32 degrees out there right now.) The only wide open bloom has a damask scent to it - not very strong, but the bloom is old and it's very chilly. There are two more buds that will open if we get some sun and warmth and I'll be sure to note the type of fragrance for you when it's fresh. I did snap off the open bloom and bring it indoors but I'm afraid it is competing with the overpoweringly heavy scent of Easter's potted hyacinths which is filling my house right now! Still, sinking my nose right into the bloom, I think of the damask, old rose scent. Yum.

There are two kinds of Agapanthus, evergreen leaved and deciduous. The varieties of agapanthus that lose their leaves and go dormant are completely winter hardy in the ground in zone 5. They need full sunshine, fertile well drained soil, and they like to be fertilized on a regular basis. Every once in a while the plants need to be dug up and divided because they tend to get "overgrown" and don't make flowers very well after 10 - 15 years of growing in the same spot. These are some of my agapanthus that have been growing in the ground outside in zone 5 for the last 40 years. They have been divided and replanted many times in that period. The temperature is 2 F outside today and the agapanthus are fine - they don't get mulched at all here but it wouldn't hurt them. It is a plant that is best put into the ground in the early part of the season so it has time to establish before the winter sets in. I wouldn't plant it out in the autumn. This agapanthus was grown from seeds someone gave me a million years ago - the picture is from last summer.

I bought this rose locally in a five-gallon pot about three months ago and it's almost five feet tall, with lots of buds. I was warned it was a slow starter in the first year or two but my rose was not informed of that. Or perhaps it's because it already had a large root system. I have it near my front door and really love it, even though I grow mostly old garden roses. Ingrid

Thanks everyone! It is a beautiful hobby, isn't it, Judy? :) Carol, when researching and ordering, I was most excited about Koko Loco, Tattooed Lady, Teddy Bear, Distant Drums... Now I'm finding that I can't pick a favourite! Some standouts for me are: Pam's Choice - prettier than I expected even! Sun Sprinkles - was part of a package deal, turns out to be stunning and cheery! Koko Loco - the subtle colours in the so-called "coffee" roses make me weak in the knees! Twilight Zone and WBY - the camera can't capture these properly South Africa - again, the camera doesn't capture the glowing deep gold, and the blooms are HUGE Nantucket - took a flyer on it (couldn't find a really good pic online) and the blooms are enormous and lovely Loving Touch - gorgeous and delicate, though it's the only one showing BS so far. Coffee Bean, Teddy Bear - brown roses, coffee roses, love! There are several others that haven't opened up yet that I can't wait to see - Hot Cocoa, Ann Henderson, Savoy Hotel, Veteran's Honour (DH's pick), Poseidon, Marylin Monroe...