Looks like you were supposed to have 8 yellow rose plants, Susierose! They'll look great on your gazarbor! I planted a yellow rose vine when I moved here around 10 yrs ago. It comes up every spring, and would bloom prolifically, if I could only go down the hill every couple of days to spray for those critters that seem to love eating it better than anything else in my yard. I assume your plants will be closer to your house and easier to maintain. I use either Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap, which are more environmentally friendly than many products. Don't forget to spray both sides of the leaves, and always after each rain! The other thing about most roses (the ones with the prettiest blooms), would be that too much water can kill them faster than anything. They like moist soil, but it must drain well. They won't thrive with wet feet and like to get just a bit dry between waterings. Those Folgers coffee grounds (also banana peelings) would be great to place around them. You won't believe how hardy they are even when they get eaten back to the vine. They just keep on coming back and trying to bloom. My experience is that they're high maintenance to get the foilage and blooms, but definitely worth it if you're able. I've gone to lower maintenance plants, just can't do the hill much now with bad knee. Nothin' prettier than a yellow rose! Yours will do great, wait and see! Sandy, what an improved and great backyard! Love it! Love the shed too! Wish I had one like that, mine is one of those Rubbermaid jobs ... gonna do better someday. Hoping for a shed/greenhouse combo eventually. ~tenderlee (grumbling about those pesty rose eating critters)

olreader, Oh, you're talking about Diospyros virginiana (Amercian, Eastern, Common,...). My mind had gone straight to Diospyros texana (Texas, Mexican, Black), which seems the more familiar "wild" persimmon used here; a smaller tree with much smoother bark. After looking at photos of the leaves, flowers, and bark of d. virginiana, am pretty certain you are right. We're on the western edge of their southern distribution, so is even possible they are natives. The following photo shows the alternate leaves and smooth margins a bit better. nel5397, Seems you got it right on the first guess.... it was just the other North American wild persimmon :-) A beautiful tree we don't run into that often in neighborhoods around here. Thanks to all for the help! Here is a link that might be useful: Common persimmon factsheet (VT) This post was edited by bostedo on Fri, May 9, 14 at 14:05

I would love to have some of your pepper seed. I have been looking for Texas Birdeye seed for years. I have some hot pepper seed from Mexico that a friend brought to me and I do not know the name of them. They are over an inch long and a little bigger around than a pencil. I may still have some seed of the Super Hybrid Chilis, I'll have to check on those. Let me know. Betty

Lovely. I just took photos of a"yellow bird" Magnolia. Coincidence?