I think part of all this may just be the wheel of Fashion. I live in Northern California, and there seems to be a great deal of interest among young people, especially young families, in growing one's own food. In San Francisco (I don't live there, but I subscribe to their newspaper), the garden pages seem to spend most of their time on that and on Urban Farming,and Going Green. I have no problem with any of those subjects, but there has gotten to be less and less in that paper about the kind of gardening some of the rest of us are interested in. This is all natural, as Fashion is always with us, its object of interest being the only thing that changes. I also think that it is natural that these types of gardening are the focus now - people are concerned about the planet's dwindling resources, climate change and its effects, and corporate irresponsibility. I believe and hope, however, that interest in Old Roses will stay alive, though it may go a bit dormant for awhile. I work as a volunteer at the Historic Rose Garden in the Old Sacramento City Cemetery, and that is certainly a labor of love. We do have a major event every Spring, that being the Open Garden and Rose Sale. It's not a "Rose Show", except in the sense that the whole garden is a wonderful "show". I don't think we indulge in any "one-up-man-ship", as all the roses are of interest to us, although we are, of course, proud of them. People come to that event from miles around, partly to see the garden at its best, and partly to buy the rose plants that are grown from cuttings from some of the garden's own roses, many of which are no longer available commercially. The atmosphere on that day is really wonderful - new people being amazed at the size and beauty of the place, returning people enjoying seeing old rose friends, and everyone just enjoying themselves. AND... of course, a real rush to buy the plant (or plants) you've always wanted! So I remain optimistic -- call me cock-eyed! Laura

please check this out!! i cannot beg you enuf to do so!! i am totally balling my heart and soul and the the eyes that my mother gave me!!! please do so!! i cant spell bekuz of what has commenced here, I love you Papou!! (so do the the hosta angels) Paul

These European Salvias thrive in poor soil, and are pretty well drought-resistant. They enjoy full sun, but feeding them is not really recommended. Wishing you success!

Back in the 60's I won a contest sponsored by "16" magazine (now long out of business). I wrote a poem about the DC5 and won a prize- an autographed album or photo of them. I no longer have it. But I remember the poem "For music alive, with jump and jive, it's our faves, everyone raves, the Dave Clark Five." Cheezy, I know.