They had a pink climbing rose at Lowes but forget the name of it. Would have got one but they looked pretty pathetic. I looked on the tag of the 2nd one said it was grown in Canada but it didn't have the name of "Demokracie" anywhere on the tag that was tied with string around the main branch of it. So I imagine like the first one it is the Original blaze. It is doing so awesome the first one. Here is a picture of it. And I found out I can plant the 2nd one I got up against the Wooden Fence like this one only further down. YAY!! Discovered caterpillar or rose slugs not sure which on it anyhow I picked them off and threw them over the fence :) Was on just one branch as you could tell by the leaves. I also removed two that had the leaves like a cocoon with the caterpillar in it so just removed that entire leaf bract and pitched it over the fence. Haven't seen any since on it. I didn't want to spray it as we do have chickadees and chipping sparrows come to our gardens too. Have set up a small birdhouse in it and the chickadee have taken up residence it . They are sooooooo cute.

Horribly, this question may become much more pertinent as developers close in around the allotments. We are surrounded on all sides by buildings several storeys high and feel that it is merely a matter of time before we get the heave-ho. So, I have seriously considered this prospect: too precious to abandon: The most common class of roses on my plot are the hybrid musks, for the good reason that they flourish and put out a flush in the autumn which is the equal, if not better, than the first explosion of blossom. So, MOONLIGHT would be kept. Funnily enough, I must concur with Kim and pick either Blue for You or Eyes for You - tricky but will stick with EYES FOR YOU as it is unusual, astoundingly healthy and very floriferous. Then there are the wildlings of which I will be greedy and keep 3: R.MOYESII, R.HUGONIS, R.CALIFORNICA (PLENA) (I am counting these as one as several of you have not just stuck with a mere 5) On to the climbers and ramblers with a very difficult decision but, after much grief, I think AYRESHIRE SPLENDENS makes the cut. A rose which will sprawl or climb, can be pillared ar espaliered, draped over a stump or scrambling down a bank, a delicately beatiful rose. Finally, because I love it, MADAME GREGOIRE STAECHELIN - this was the 'gateway' rose for me and I have remained faithful to its beauty. To go: For obvious (to me) reasons - FALSTAFF, CREPUSCULE (this is just a bit feeble)PENNY LANE - boringly generic, too formal and just not really to my taste. JUDE THE OBSCURE - I honestly would not be too sorry to see the back of all my austins (not that there are more than 6) apart from Graham Thomas which performs stunningly well in the fortuitous spot it was allocated. Finally, although it has astoundingly good blooms with long thornless stems, lasting for ages in the vase, it also defoliates almost completely so it is bye-bye PHILLIPPA, a renaissance rose from Poulsen. Good thread, Vettin, and a fear I really, really hope is not too imminent.

This is terrible! No, Happy Holidays, Everyone! What's terrible is the Weather Service is actually predicting a chance of rain this afternoon! This after a month of only 4/100 of an inch of, what was that, hoar frost? The thermometer hasn't been above 32F for weeks now and there has been a string of nights lately in the teens - including last night. A high of 33F predicted for this afternoon and, it's gonna to rain!! Weeelll, there's a better than 50% chance of snow everyday beginning Tuesday so I think we may be finally getting out of this dry spell. I just hope that we don't have too many people dipping too deep into the punch bowl over the next few days - the roads are gonna be like glass!! Here is a Holiday quiz to occupy your odd holiday moment: Which of the following holidays DOES NOT occur in December? Boxing Day Kwanzaa St. Nicholas Day Candlemas >>>>>>>>>>>>>If you guessed Boxing Day . . . you are incorrect. Boxing Day is the first or second weekday after Christmas Day in many British Commonwealth nations. That odd name has nothing to do with fisticuffs but rather with "boxing" up offerings for the church. If you guessed Kwanzaa, maybe because it wasn't around when you were a kid . . . you are incorrect. It is actually a week long celebration that begins December 26th. It was "invented" in 1966. If you guessed St. Nicholas Day perhaps because you were being very clever and thought this might be a trick question . . . you may be very clever but you are incorrect. St. Nicholas Day is usually celebrated on December 6th or December 19th (in most Christian Orthodox countries). And yes, St. Nicholas = Santa Claus. And that only leaves Candlemas! This is the correct answer because Candlemas comes on February 2nd. There are several traditions associated with Candlemas Day: Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve Down with the rosemary, and so Down with the bays and mistletoe; Down with the holly, ivy, all, Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall Also, yes it is! It is Groundhog's Day! Celebrated on February 2nd in the United States and Canada. The groundhog tradition comes from the weather lore of western Europe associated with Candlemas. Me? I've got my stash of food & goodies and if'n the ground is gonna be covered with ice and snow - I'm done with my winter walks. Maybe, I can poke my head up again by February 2nd! Steve

thanks , I have decided on the 4 wide 2 tall (8 lites) since that is what my other windows have. The lites will be taller and skinnier thank the existing but it won't be as busy as the 4 wide 3 tall.