Ratdogheads, your pictures look great! My summers for the last few years have been pretty perfect with temps in the low 90's here and there, otherwise 80's, maybe a week of bad humidity and unbearable weather. I actually could plant roses all last summer it was so mild, and that is rare. We have been having strange weather for Wisconsin though, milder winters (like this last one) though last year's polar vortex was down to -26 without the windchill. My roses survived it. I'm curious on this year after the mild winter what will stay. I don't uncover till tax day, as we still usually get a frost around the 13th, then it's smooth sailing! I am having a hard time deciding what to prune as the canes are sometimes discolored then green then discolored further down. If it buds, do you keep it or cut it off? If it's totally brown or black I, of course, cut it off. Btw, thank you for showing your zone, I like to be able to see if someone is close to my zone and what they're growing! :) Krista, Wow! I love it between the two purple/pinks. It really brings out the pink. It doesn't look red at all. So pretty! I'm so glad you mentioned the fragrance because that is a must! Thank you!

I just took delivery of a Keeks replica today. I ordered mine on Sunday. Given that the the different options of wood and cushion combinations to choose from I would think that the 8 month lead time you mention may be attriuted to a rare combination that was ordered. Mine is the antique brown leather on palisander. It came in a very securely packaged box and required minimal assembly. Mine had no foul off-gassing smell of the foam that is often reported, and while I'm not an expert on leather, it does seem to be very high quality aniline. I only have two complaints: After sitting in the chair for a few hours the foam does feel a bit firm. This is not a chair that you will just sink into, at least not before it's good and broken in, and I mean VERY well broken in. As I am not a very tall person I bought the standard size, but after assembling and incorporating into my living room, I would definitely recommend the taller version. It's not that it isn't comfortable it just seems a little awkward along with the other, taller furniture. Aside from that, I love it... If don't continue to use it in my living room it will definitely have a place in my home somewhere.

Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous rose. I grow Lady Emma Hamilton and was going to replace it with CORAL KNOCK OUT (aka Carefree Celebration, Shrub, William J. Radler, U.S., 2004), which out performs it in every way but flower form and fragrance. However, David Austin Ltd changed my mind because it can't be replaced should I regret my decision. This gets me to my displeasure with the David Austin people. I am FED UP with their business practices and WILL NOT recommend one of their roses again! They copyright not only the plant but the name as well. And when they can't make money licensing both then they "retire" the plant. They are also downright evil with their lawsuits and strong arm tactics. As a rosarian, I want hybridizers to create roses that strengthen the species and will stand the test of time. Roses with true disease resistance, vigor, strong roots that can plow through heavy clay soil, graceful shrubs that look good in all garden settings (not just formal rose gardens), few to no prickles, repeat bloom like a Floribunda, beauty of flower (in all stages of development, not just the bud) and fragrance, strong straight stems that hold the bloom(s) upright, and decent vase life. Retiring EVELYN was the deal breaker for me. It is my opinion the most beautiful rose in existence. Incredible vase life, strong stems, excellent vigor, and a delicious sweet fragrance that smells like peaches instead of the medicinal myrrh they seem to be obsessed with. For those frustrated by the retirement, try STAR OF THE REPUBLIC (Shrub, Mike Shoup, U.S., 1998) offered by the Antique Rose Emporium. The bloom comes close to Evelyn's perfection, but the nearly thornless shrub is much more pleasing and the foliage a heck of lot more resistant to black spot.

So, so pretty and lucky you. I admit to being a little jealous. I've browsed briefly through the website and nothing quite fits into what's left of this months budget 😊 Maybe another time, the leopard pillow is not just speaking to me, it's shouting.... My mother would have loved even just the bag - and I suspect would have looked for ways to try to duplicate the pillow with her skills in fabrics and handwork, a talent I did not inherit.