Appalachian Roses!! Ron had a couple of Van Fleet roses that I really wanted to add to my collection, so I took a chance and ordered them from him. I received gallon-size roses that are well-rooted and ready for the garden. These are absolutely the finest mail-order potted roses I have here. His shipping charges are very reasonable, and the customer service is the best. (Can you tell that I'm very, very pleased?) I think the only place that I haven't ordered from yet is Antique Rose Emporium. I plan to do that very soon because I'd like to try their clone of Maggie -- she was one of the few victims here this past winter. For those who have ordered ARE, is there an number of roses to order to optimize one's shipping $$? (Like Vintage's 4-packs?) Connie

Have planted 6-7 of Martin's garlic varieties, catawissa onion, and a pearl walking-onion. Also am doing a new Wisconsin 55 tomato, and black cherry tomato from Martin. (You'll love his posts in the Allium forum!) I have about a hundred kinds of food & flower seed packets that are new to me, most to get seeded in the next few weeks. I have 3 kinds of early cucumber started already - spacemaster, a sweet slicing cuke, and a pickle cuke. I'v only grown lemon cukes so far - and will again - but am eager to try new varieties of something so easy. Greek Salad & Tatziki anyone? Thai basil has sprouted so I'll do savory stir-fry too. Am trying some purple sweet peppers, since I had my first ever year of success last year with Anaheims and Jalapeno from seed. Several are still alive - after being dug & moved indoors last October. They are looking spindly and weak now, but in my imagination: they can't wait to get back outside, leaf out & get producing again! (The eggplant didn't make it, rats, but I've got a couple kinds of seed to get started ASAP) A couple of the wintered-over Peppers are out on the back porch now - to begin hardening off for their next palnting, since we're having a very pleasant early spring in Oregon. I have several interesting squashes to seed - and am glad a neighbor, and another newbie who I'm helping get started in food growing have both has allowed me to use their space - so I can go nuts growing all this stuff! I look forward to receiving a box of dahlia tubers froma gardenWebber - a neighbor across the street has agreed to let me plant her whole front yard with them so all can enjoy about a dozen I've never brefore grown. I'll help her with cutting and mulching to keep 'em going, as this neighbor says she is new to growing flowers - but is amazing with veggies. Am happy about some good garden trades so far this spring - got a variagated sage, and 2 passion fruit vines are tucked in. Finally planted some stuff from Swaps last September. Amazing what can survive ice and drought in plastic pots! Some golden hops and sweet peas will hoepfully compete happy for fence climbing space. Lots more is new to my little garden this year - and Lord Help Me - I'm about to do an order from 4 Seasons! (Who can resist a deal on Asparagus and loads of Greek Windflowers, anyway?) Enjoyed reading all your plant scores - and have never even heard of some of those! Maybe next year... Let us know how yours turn out - and post pix!

Pam, your zoo garden is such a lovely idea. how about Lamb's Ears (stachys)? And, sort-of an animal name, i have a "Rudolph" spurge in a sunny spot in my kids garden, which gets red tips that look like red noses in the winter. And for shadier spots, Bear's Breeches (Acanthus) and Tiarella "Tiger Stripe". Please post some pictures when Evan's zoo garden flowers! Your veggie bed sounds wonderful too. I have several veggies just planted in sunny spots around the garden, but without really preparing the soil well first, I am not sure they'll do that well. Maybe a veggie plot will be on my list of projects next year. This year, we want to finish our ivy removal project, we have just a couple of areas left. We also need to finish laying a patio. I'm excited about the finished products of both, but not the work involved! I'm most excited about my seed starting efforts so far -- most of these have been Wintersown. I have a lot of seedlings now and will try my best not to kill them at the planting out stage (which i did last year). I think my biggest goal for the year is to get my kids (aged 5 and 3) out into the garden more often. We planted peas, carrots and arugula a few weekends ago and they are very excited that all have sprouted!

Papou, I am fairly new on this forum, and I remember one of the first things I did was open your website. I was stunned with the amount of beauty and information on it and was actually looking forward to winter when I would have it to study and enjoy during my "down time". As I was calmly reading this thread last night, I was stunned when I got to your announcement. I am devastated with the news of your health. However, I stopped believing diagnosises years ago. I had colon cancer in 1987 and breast cancer in 2000, and I'm still going strong. We have so many meds and procceedures that are continually being updated and improved, and I know your doctor will do the very best for you. In fact my Oncologist told me that they now treat so many cancers as a chronic illness. We are not willing to give up your pictures, information, and enthusiasm as well as the wonderful calm dignity you always project in your posts. I love your new porch addition, and your prize hosta growing along your new steps. Stay busy, stay in touch, and God Bless You. We only have one Papou, and you are our treasure. I hope all our prayers will bring you comfort. Your fellow Hosta lover, Mary.