I think they don't know how to store them as Ann said, but worse yet is they don't know how to package the bareroots for shipping. My plants arrived around early February, bone dry, with no damp paper, filler, or anything to keep the roots moist. There was a sheet of plastic (not a bag) draped over the end of the roots. It was kind of like they stuck the plants in the box up-side down and then put this piece of plastic just over them and tucked it in the box. Thankfully, the roses appear to be making it, however, they are taking forever to break dormancy. I've had to cut off the upper portions on almost all of them because they've died back so much. There is still some hope, but, if they don't start sprouting soon, I will be asking for replacements! (This time!) I would not have ordered at all based on my experience with them last yr, except that I wanted ADOLPH HORSTMANN and they're the only place that have it, other than Hortico, and they didn't have it available this yr. I had gotten AH last yr from Edmunds to replace my old on that died a couple yrs ago. That one never did break dormancy and dried up into black sticks. I should've asked for a replacement last yr, but didn't. This time if these don't grow, I definitely will!

Wood - Glad you are enjoying the wonderful "Child/Forest" book. My library has the prettiest edition of this, and I donated the other two in the trilogy, but have a strong feeling they went into the FoL book sale instead of on the shelves which I had intended to make up the trilogy for other people. As for the adding of the "-ie" sound to words in English, that is quite common even now. "Brekkies" - breakfast "Sarnies" - sandwiches "Prezzies" - presents/gifts Also, there used to be a penchant for reducing some names to "-az" such as: Sharon --> Shaz or Shazzer Barry --> Baz or Bazzer Des --> Dezzie This might just be my group of friends though... We had a mixed bunch (social class speaking) and I think this shortening was a lower class trend... I could be mistaken as it may vary in other regions...

I don't play that game, but you might try deleting your browser cache and Flashplayer cache as well. Check for a Flashplayer update while you are in the dialog box. To find Flashplayer, go to Control Panel and change your view to icons, click Flashplayer and click the 'Delete All' button. The update will be on the Advanced tab. In one of my games, the graphics are so out of whack that I play that one in Chrome.

As usual, so well said by gardengal and I agree with her appraisal about people frequently getting the cart before the horse with plant selection. I see plant picking as part of landscaping and don't mind people asking about it, but do think it is the portion of the design process that can many times be handled better in the regional forums. While usually I shirk it, I sometimes make exceptions and dive in. I also agree with violetwest that people sometimes wish not to think, preferring to have a solution handed to them. (What a danger that is ... not understanding what you're doing and why you're doing it!) I wish people would be interested in putting more effort into this part, as it's one which they COULD do, with Google making it much simpler than it used to be. Regarding GG's comments about offering design advice (since I am one the frequentl perpetrators!) I will clarify that I don't view the offerings as a finished product like a paying client might expect. They are suggestions that almost always need to be converted into a plan which takes into account the ACTUAL conditions on the ground. Many times there are decisions to be made, details to be worked out, and all manner of things to be perfected. In spite of the shortcomings of the process, I think that much useful information can be imparted that helps lead an inquiring person in the right direction. What more can be expected of a forum contribution? I view the current state of common, everyday landscape design as fairly awful, with many mistakes being made over and over again as the DEFACTO STANDARD! Even professional work is mistake ridden. It is mainly these common mistakes that I am attempting counter in my small way. Graphics make it much easier to explain.