Hi Ginny, Yes, these places are fantastic. As for addictive well, er, I just finished sorting through my giant box of just veggie seeds for my other post (still working on listing them) and still have my flower seeds to do. I was at a heritage fair a month ago and there was a heritage seed table.....of course I now have enough marrow, squash, peas and beans to feed an army. Thank heavens my neighbour who just got a good tiller has offered to till some new garden beds for me. And I too learned a bit more about the plants and their history which the seller also listed on her seed packets. Participation keeps these events alive and well. Cheers from Kingston ON area, Peggy

Thanks all for the comments. The horses do sound better than honking horns. When we visit our daughter in NYC, that is all we hear for the first few nights and then we get use to it. RUBY STELLA is a small bloom, not tall, but it does put out alot of blooms each season. This year it gets moved to the back beds but I have so much of it that I need to get rid of some of it. CERISE MASTERPIECE had beautiful blooms this year and so glad I took the chance on it. I got it from seller Cajunkid (Kip Schriefer) on the LA last spring. He sent really nice, well rooted double fans. NO RUST! PEACHES AND GOLD did not send up alot of scapes this year. Still a pretty bloom and looks good next to CANTER. Lots of on and off showers today and more rain on the way for tomorrow. Julia

Hahahaha, oh, Boxo, that is HILARIOUS! About the 30 cackling Women Hens!!!! Oooo, July 14th! I start my new job July 9th, and I don't want to forget that date and will have to highlight by my Blackberry, because babies are indeed milestones, and I at least want to send some good wishes your way! If I'm lucky I might be able to save up one good rose for your niece. I have one Purple Beauty Bud in the works, so I'm hoping the Magic Gardenville Sea Tea will protect that bud from our blasting Kansas heat. I'm sure you will have an ohhhh, so splendid recap of everyone celebrating in the Fabulous Garden. In fact, I suspect the Garden will be vying for everyone's attention, so unfotunately everyone will drag you kickin' and hollerin' as Tripod Man! You WON'T BE ABLE TO ESCAPE that easy.... If you do Escape with Your Sanity intact, hee-hee, be sure to do the Pre-Bouquets and Sneak Away while you have the chance. Sitting through women's shindigs is about as agonizing as accompanying a woman shopping! I am not the typical female so I can really identify what you poor Menfolk have to endure. I shop like a Shark, in for the kill in 5 minutes, then out just as fast!! Can spot out a beautiful on-sale outfit, know in a split-second just looking at it on the rack, whether or not it will fit, and go for the immediate KILL, hehe. Just like with Your Gorgeous Absolute Magnificent Roses, bwahaha! Just as fast and just as deadly, hee-hee! James is very, very lucky that I'm not a Girly-Girl. He and I love the action-blasting movies with blood, guts, and Computer CG exploding across the screen. Who knows, there could have been Kill Bill playing in the backdrop with my Baby Shower had I been lucky enough to have babies! :P

Stella's Ruffled Fingers blooms a lot here, much better than Stella d'oro. Forsyth Flaming Snow is my favorite too, so delicate looking.