>>macmex- the SSE rate increase was an easy way to appease listed members. But it >>made seed acquisitions for other preservationists like myself more expensive: a built in >>advantage for SSE (now also a seed company) controlling the exchange. >>As far as padded mailers go I reuse mailers whenever possible or pieces of bubble >>pack inside new kraft envelopes for equivalent protection of the seeds (and ZERO >>waste!) George, I don't follow you on that one. To me, that rate increase was helpful. Sure, one can save and reuse envelopes. I do at every opportunity. But for true preservationist interests the higher price seems better to me. In regards to people asking for seeds, this helps limit frivolous requests. When I request seeds, precisely because I intend to maintain them, that one time expense is the least of my concerns. And, it's not limited to the SSE. I ordered a sample of peanuts from a smaller, independent seed company, just a few weeks ago. That's all I ordered and, with S&H it cost over $7.00. It's easy to collect a lot of seeds. It's not so easy to maintain them. Now, that's where the work and expense comes in. I'm not prepared to say 'yea or nay' about the SSE seed catalog's legitimacy. There seem to be advantages and disadvantages associated with it. But I can definitely see how the SSE would consider it a good way to get some varieties out into circulation without taxing private members. Is it really best to start with the assumption that the SSE is trying to "pull something off," so to speak? I really really doubt that. Philosophy regarding how to do the work of preservation... now there is plenty of room for discussion and diversity! The SSE seems to have struck a course for doing much of the preservation right on its own premises, using its own resources. Part of their reasoning may be that they have (as have I) seen many preservationists fail, either through some problem with planning, organization, finances, health or whatever. My personal approach has been to stick with the SSE and branch out. The GW, for instance, is a good place to cultivate interest in maintaining varieties and in recruiting gardeners to do so. I won't assume that ANYONE is going to be completely dependable. It's alright to discuss these things. But getting back to Kents letter, it still seems to me that the problem was not related to a conspiracy or dirty work by the board. Kent simply diverged from the board and wouldnt work with them. There are a fair number of references in his letter which I found deceptive; for instance, this thing about a board of advisers. Recently I called one up, which Ive known for years. I was informed that the "board" part of the advisors was really only in Kents mind. The opinion I was given was that it appeared that Kent used the term board of advisors more as a way to gain credibility himself. They were not consulted and had no real say in his decisions. Plus, as has already been posted above, they too, unanimously (if I counted correctly) stood with the board. There is room for plenty of discussion on particulars for how to do "the job" better. But when the SSE is hurting, under attack so to speak, I dont think its time to jump on the bandwagon. From sunny Mexico, George macmex

Well,just an update on this house and garden, it sold the first week on the market, with an all cash offer just slightly over the asking price. I wish I could say that it had something to do with the landscaping we put in, but it was more probably the killer panoramic bay and city view, which most impressed in the end. The approach to focus on the front garden and leave the back garden mostly unlandscaped with just a vignette of a small lawn, perimeter wire fence with espaliered Grewia caffra flowering hedge, it seemed to help the home sell. The builders only broke even, and it was definitely only a mildly profitable installation for me, I was giving the client a break on my labor costs. I figure it was what it takes to remain competitive in this market, and also generates good will for more work. I hope this really is a positive sign of the real estate market getting better here, and that sales pick up across the country. The mood is cautiously optimistic here, as long as smaller projects continue to come along, if no big budget ones are on the horizon... A few tricks I pulled to try and bring this job in within a very tight budget was to use new plants that could easily be propagated from the client's own garden, as well as using clippings/cuttings from various other client's gardens over a couple of months in advance of the project. I'll admit this is particularly easy with mild climate plants such as succulents and bromeliads; but the idea could as easily utilize divided perennials, unwanted plants by one client dug up and saved for another client, etc. Although this means that many plants are just mere cuttings, they can be planted closely in mass to give an immediate impact. It would be a nice plum if the new owners elected to use my services to finish off the rear yard, as well as with help maintaining the new garden on a quarterly basis. No idea whether that will happen, but optimism never hurts...

Hi Rick and Judith, I don't frequent the forums as much as I used to: have too much going on outside with fruit trees, roses, perennials, etc. But I do check in from time to time. I am still happily growing roses in the Central Valley, including many of the older David Austin roses, including healthy specimens of 'Cymbeline' (from Rogue Valley Roses) and 'Allux Symphony' from Heirloom Roses. I was told by Heirloom Roses that I got the last specimen of this variety that were ever going to sell, which may have been the last one for sale in North America. Its truly a pity, as it is a very attractive rose that grows vigorously on its own roots in California. I have acquired a few more Austin roses, up to 112 now, but most are newer Austin roses. The specimen of Cressida sent to me from Hortico, turned out to the be real deal. Judith, I hope yours is also the true variety. I had 3 Cressida plants 2 houses ago, when I lived in the Santa Clara Valley, which grew into strong plants that were around 5.5 ft. high and 3 to 4 ft. across. I had them in the ground for at least 5 years, and they never threw long 'octopus arms' as some of the other Austin roses did. But the fragrance is distinctive, so I knew from the time the first bloom on the Hortico plant opened, that I had the real deal. When we moved back to CA, we found a home on an acre lot that had too little gardening space-the majority of the space was occupied by the footprint of the house, a private road with a huge cul-de-sac, sidewalks, and pool. Fortunately there was a vacant lot next door that we were able to purchase and new we accommodate more roses and other plants. I rooted 4 Cressidas last winter and need 2 more for a group planting, so we have 'stuck' a number of cuttings. I have encountered another individual on this very forum who is also has a passion for the older and rarer Austin roses, Susan Lyell. She is starting a company in Nashville, TN called 'Restoration Roses' (https://www.restorationroses.com/) . She came to CA in summer 2017 and was collecting rose cuttings from a number of sources, including the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden and was able to get cuttings of many rare roses including rare Austin roses and rare OGR's. We have corresponded and I sent her my list to see if there were any that I had that she would like for her collection. I have already sent her 6 cuttings each of 25 or so of these older English roses. I will be sending her cuttings of even more (including Cymbeline) this spring. She is establishing mother plants, so it might take her a year or two before she may have inventory to sell. Cressida and Allux Symphony were in the first group I sent. Hopefully, her new enterprise will be able to keep these older treasures from extinction. All the best, John

Yes, the problem with books dedicated to forestry is that such books appeal to a limited demographic, and, as such, are difficult to find and/or expensive to buy. Books on residential landscaping are much more prevalent but almost never deal, for example, with growing conifers from seed. Having said that, in general, the landscaping books dedicated to certain climate regions can give you a great idea about what species will survive in your area. For me, "Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast" by Cox and Ruter is an invaluable resource. For example, the book has a nice section about cultivars for Picea orientalis, a great sign that a plantation of P. orientalis (species) trees might be possible here in the South (if you had the patience). Sometimes, though, you just have to stick stuff in the ground and learn by trial and error. We are early enough into the globalization of botany that all species have not yet been tried in all microclimates. Ron, thanks for the book recommendation. It's now on my wishlist!