Thanks for the link to High Country. I'm sort of at my budget limit for rose orders this year, don't want to add additional shipping charges, so will probably wait on Felix til next year. As for my criteria - well, first off, I don't spray. That said, if a rose is beautiful enough in late May/June, I don't mind if it gets some bs in July (for example, I grow and love several bourbons who do get bs). Right now, I'm interested in the dark pink/purple/mauve/fuschia color range. The two things that are pretty important to me in making this decision are hardiness and lots of bloom (I really hope for something that will bloom well most of the summer). I like the idea of either a climber or a "spiller" - thus for example, Roseberry Blanket is tempting (I could see trying it in a hanging basket, and wintering said basket by burying it in my veggie garden, as I do with my pot ghetto.) Thanks!

Of all the ones Saskgirl posted, I like the second one from the left, and the second one from the right. The gorgeous dark one to the left of the mixer might also be good, hard to tell in the out of proportion pic. I still think it's an artistic issue, ie you need someone with an educated eye to help you pick out the right colour/proportion to balance/complement your granite. Maybe ask Nuccia? She just posted her kitchen pics, and she (or someone helping her) obviously has an eye for colour!

If you're planning on using the pendants for function over form, two pendants won't be enough for an island of that length, in my opinion. We had planned to install two pendants on our 60" x 108" island until we met with a lighting expert, who suggested that three would be better. So glad we installed a third, as it provides better balance and better light. Speaking of light, have you checked the wattage of the various fixtures you're considering? If you're planning on having the pendants provide adequate lighting at the island, each of your three fixtures should have at least 80 watts of down lighting. Your #1 is very cool, but really doesn't offer adequate light, and #2 will cast shadows below. Hard to tell whether the other two choices will give you the right amount of light. You mentioned you will have 6 recessed lights around the perimeter. What are the dimensions of the kitchen? It must be good sized with an island that long. In our 15' x 19' kitchen we installed 15 4" LED cans, including 2 over the sink. There are no dark corners anywhere...I love it. You might want to take another look at the can placement...easier to add now than later.

Put your address in suncalc.net . You can look up the path/height of the sun for any day of year. Sun is lowest in the winter, so where ever you had good light in the winter you will for sure have it in the summer.