What we used wasn't rebar. It was the largest size of that rebar-like stuff that they sell at Home Depot and Lowe's for plants. Maybe close to 1/2-in diameter, and 8 ft. long. I was somewhat apprehensive, because I have seen EvS become pretty big in Southern CA. The "mother" from which this was taken was a massive thing, trained to a big, big archway over a gate, in Sandy Gaal's garden, in Ojai. The link below, this MAY be EvS -- it's not labelled, and didn't take the photos. But it's survived on that now for easily 6 years. Maybe 8 years? I haven't touched it to cut it back for 3-4 years now, and it's still a huge ball, so I must have done a surprisingly good job of tying it. Jeri Here is a link that might be useful:

I have found that deadheading the HM's keeps them looking good and reblooming all season long. They pretty much tell me where to cut: where the new growth has started, usually at the base of a leaflet set right back from where the flowers have died. Clip there and the energy doubles into that new growth and very soon you will have flowers again. Susan

We cannot be sure if any of the plants sold as GOL and EVS are properly named. Lambert's own catalog described GOL: Gartendirektor Otto Linne (P. Lambert 1936). (Polyanthaform and size). Blooms dark carmine-pink on yellowish-white base, edges darker, in pyramidal trusses up to 30, well double. Vigorous plant, bushy, 60/80 cm high, upright, floriferous until frost; glossy, leathery foliage, firm, resistant; strong wood, well thorny. Very hardy. (Robin Hood X Rud. Kluis). Looking at the shots on HMF, I'd say there are at least three different cultivars being sold under the name of Gartendirektor Otto Linne. EVS is just as messed up. Rozenlexikon describes Excellenz von Schubert: von Schubert, Excellenz (multiflora, Lambertiana) Lambert 1909; M.N. Levavasseur X Druschki; deep carmine-pink, medium-size, well double, dense clusters of 5-20, floriferous, repeats, many thorns, long branches, growth 7/10, upright, bushy, 1,50m., Sangerhausen The lovely mauvey, arching, scented rose I grow under the name of EVS is neither deep carmine-pink nor thorny. The biggest problem is that multiple cultivars are in commerce under these names, and we poor slobs who want to grow one or the other have to do detailed research know what we're getting.

Jeri, I was a involved with the rose society about 12 years ago. The soil amendments that I use today come from their advice, but have been recently modified due to professional soil analysis tests. In past gardens, the situation was more ideal as I hired professionals to put in the first landscape/garden. I insisted upon thorough soil amending prior to anything being planted. The yard I have now, well... I am working with what already was in place; a neglected yard. My yard now has both clay and sandy soil. The clay has drainage issues and a pH of 8.6. The sandy soil has no drainage issues generally speaking and a lower pH. This is my third garden here, and generally speaking, we run into caliche when excavating for pools, and it is usually down much deeper than the holes we dig for roses and plants; not to imply that it absolutely cannot exist in less depth, and, it is more commonly found in some areas of the valley. My first pool excavation resulted in caliche being hit at about 5' in one portion of a larger section. Modern roses rule here; that is modern roses grown on Dr. Huey. That is all available at our local nurseries as well, with the exception of an old Austin or two at an independent nursery. Years ago, I successfully grew a few Austin's, a Sombreuil and a Zephrine Drouhin, which confirmed for me that there are OGR's that thrive here; but, they were all grafted. I also contacted a member of the local rose society who now seems to be inactive. She had a list of OGR's that perform well here that I found, and have selected some of my roses from her list. I am going against the norm in Las Vegas by making rose selections that aren't in the modern class. There is not a single rose that I can think of off hand, recommended by the society, that was not a modern; and mostly hybrid teas and floribundas etc. Learning about the OGR roses and their specific needs, and what to do with these bands etc.,is not the focus of most rose gardeners here, and thus I chose not to utilize local gardeners as a resource. What to do with my soil and the status quo, modern grafted roses primarily ordered and planted bare root, that I know. My soil which can be found in other cities that also sit on the Mojave ( a large chunk of So. CA, So. UT, and West. AZ.... could have some commonality with others. Determining what is best for my own root plants, that is where I lack and seek knowledge. This post was edited by desertgarden561 on Sun, Sep 29, 13 at 17:11