Rosefolly, fortunately the two Belinda's Dream specimens I've seen locally, in gardens less dry and hot than mine, had no mildew, so I'm hopeful. Daisy, from all the input, including yours, I've decided that Heritage will never grace my garden. I do have an order in for Potter and Moore, a rather obscure small Austin rose, and I'll let you all know how it does. Cass, your valuable advice about Sophie's Perpetual is very much appreciated. It will definitely have an effect on where I plant this rose. I've definitely decided against all the others you mention, except perhaps Mc Clinton's Tea, even though it's not the most beautiful rose in my eyes. Deadheading doesn't bother me, it's something I like to do regularly anyway. Buff, I'm so glad your Carefree Beauty does well for you. It's just a rose I want to try and see how it does for me. Thank you so much for all the new contributions. Ingrid P.S. I've eliminated Mary Rose and ordered Mrs. Dudley Cross instead and Anne Boleyn has been canceled.

I don't think your area is too open for song birds. How long have you been feeding in that location? Deep snow cover will push birds south, even if they winter in your area. Your hawk doesn't sound like an Accitper, the lean Hawks that routinely attack feeders. In my experience, Accipters rarely perch in the open, like on a barn for more than a brief amount of time. They are usually inside the tree canopy. Killing a weasel also suggests its more likely a Buteo Hawk, the big stocky hawks that mainly feed on rodents. Buteos are usually on open perches, along the higways, on telephone poles, on buildings, etc. Accipters usually need the element of surprise to catch a healthy adult bird. In the summer time, adult birds will usually mob them and pester then until they leave the area. This time of year, all the song birds are adults and wise. Accipters usually rely on the stealth, below the horizon attack this time of year. They fly really close to the ground and charge into areas they anticipate birds to be and grab any bird that doenst flush in time. I've seen them make attacks on my feeder when its empty. They build up speed and come around the corner the house ambush the feeder. They will make a J turn around the feeder pole and almost touch the ground (right where the Doves would normally be). They do this even without any birds present. Even using this strategy, I've seen doves escape, usually losing a few feathers. Being out in the open makes its hard for the Hawk to get the element of surprise with lots of eyes watching and no terrian to take advantage of. Now, in the summer time with fledgings everywhere, Accipters can catch them without the element of surprise. If you get alot of accipter attacks, you can try a decoy. Since the hawk usually goes for the last bird to move when attacking. Purple Martin landlords use these to reduce the chances for success. But I don't think your lack of birds is related to the hawk. I've seen our birds spot an accipter 200 yards away and freeze. A Buteo hawk could be perched 50 yards away and they would be indifferent to it, except when nesting.

Kate your 'Eden' is stunning. I bought her own root from Heirloom last year. She survived the winter pretty much unscathed but only had one flower this year. But I've read that she's a bit stingy at first so I'm willing to be patient with her since her flowers are so gorgeous and she has been disease free. I also have Clair Matin and Compassion. Both are own root from last year. Compassion died back to the ground and seems to be putting all her energy into growing canes this year since she only flowered once so far, but I'm hoping some of the new growth has buds hidden within :). I hope she'll get more cane hardy with age since her flowers are gorgeous and have such a nice scent and she has hardly any thorns so perfect for an entrance arbor. Clair Matin was very winter hardy with little cane damage and is on her second flush while being grown in partial sun so not the best conditions. She is very healthy so far, the flowers are a beautiful soft peachy rose with dark buds, are bumble bee magnets and have a wonderful soft scent. Overall I'm very happy with her. New this year are Kordes 'Rosanna', 'Golden Gate' and 'Moonlight'. So far 'Rosanna' is growing the best and is now setting buds. 'Moonlight' and 'Golden Gate' don't seem very vigorous and have not flowered but they were both pretty small when I got them so I'm learning patience. These are all own root as well and none are sprayed for disease or insects. Sharon

If a hawk is 'coming after you' then you've ventured WAY too close to their nest and/or nest tree. Heed their warnings and steer clear of their nesting area. In a little less than 2 weeks the fledglings will have flown and the hawks won't care where you walk or where you go. I actually have a video of a hawk perched on one of our bird baths in our yard. I was 10-12 feet away from it and just arrived home when it flew into the yard hunting birds. It didn't care that I was there and tucked one foot and got comfortable. Hawks ONLY care about humans when they're nesting and have young that haven't fledged, and also when humans are attacking them or frightening them (putting them on defense). Hawklets fledge quickly, so give it time when this happens and make a wide berth away from their nest and nest tree. When hawks are 'dive bombing' you... they're protecting their young and see you as a predator... which you are. Plain and simple they know we're at the top of the food chain and are doing their parental duty and protecting their babies. Also, hawks aren't the only ones who do this. Bluejays, mockingbirds, crows (crows and mockingbirds learn faces, so if you harm, scare or challenge them, or kill one of their own... they will NOT EVER forget what you did, nor will they forget your face). There's a documentary you can watch to see the studies done and see video of how they recognize faces and their reactions. "All monsters are human." Not only a true statement but it's one all wildlife knows.