I have no doubt that Al's 400 hours is valid. When I researched commercial peony production as cutflowers for the "Cutflower Quarterly" years ago, that 400-hour number was probably a good part of the equation for successful flowering. But it's not that simple and I'm sure it's much more than just hours of chilling. The Sunset Western Garden Book (a source that I always reference) indicates that peonies are suitable for our zones here (14-17). Mostly, we do get the 400 hours and then some. Yet I have not seen one good one here. And I personally know dozens of people who have tried and mostly failed (including ice cube experimentors and the like). Yes, I do know a couple of people who are very excited that their 10-year-old peony in a pot has had one or two flowers the last couple of years. I had even heard of a lady in the Santa Ynez Valley that "had great peonies". When I tracked her down, she told me that "they come up in April, have a couple of blooms in May, and then die down in June". That was her "success". Much as with so many eastern perennials (including Hosta, Astilbe, Echinacea, Monarda, Phlox), I believe there is a combination of factors that make it difficult to impossible to succeed with these plants. The factors include soil quality, water quality and summer humidity. The Bay Area (also Zones 14-17) mostly has better soil and water conditions than we do in our Zones 14-17 here on the Central Coast and some gardeners, with lots of prep work, do have degrees of success. (There actually used to be a commercial peony cutflower grower in the Fremont area.) But So. Cal has even less agreeable conditions. Plus combine all those not-so-happy conditions with our snail populations. Again, if anyone in So. Cal has truly succeeded with herbaceous peonies, please chime in. Joe

If you do a search on homeadvisor dot com, you will find ratings for cabinet makers in your area. I was greatly disappointed by our contractor who made us go to some warehouse in Anaheim, and got bulldozed into picking the best of bad stock cabinets with granite countertops. I stopped the process this morning. After sleepless nights, knowing I got bulldozed, I crashed! Freaked is a better word! My husband wants to save money, so I say "I'm willing to live with the horrible cabinets that are there rather than sell my soul for cheap stock cabinets!" So he says "fine!" Get bids!! HomeAdvisor dot com had a lot of options and I read the reviews. Like you, I am in Southern California. We purchased a short sale home, and it's a hot mess! $$$ everywhere!! I found a cabinet maker that actually spoke to me for a long time, and he is coming to give us a bid on resurfacing what is there and rebuilding to fit the new appliances. He had six reviews. All 5 star! I'm not a salesperson, and will not post his site, but you can find him or someone else like him if you search. Color me happy! Suzi

Follow up....(rather long; sorry) First, although it was a very warm day, I painted early in the morning when the temps were about 68F. I did use a Whizz Pro foam roller -- left roller bumps just as if I had used a regular roller. I used a Purdy latex brush - brand new; good quality. I really did not overbrush. So, the bottom line is I decided that I hate this paint. My husband had used it (without Floetrol) on the back sides of a couple of cabinet doors, and the brush marks are deep enough to feel with your fingers. The extender didn't seem to increase the leveling at all. So I called my local Ace hardware to see if they carried the Ace Cabinet paint. Sure, they said. When I got there, it was actually Cabinet Coat that they had. So they mixed up a quart for me in the Ace color, Linen. I spent the evening reading advice about using Cabinet Coat, and I plan to practice on some scrap pieces before I get back to the cabinet doors. (Which I spent the afternoon sanding the Pearl paint off...) So, if I can get Cabinet Coat, and learn how to use it, I think I have a chance. I'm just so disappointed in my local Ben Moore retailer, selling me a crock. The saleswoman kept telling me that if I used quality tools (yes, I used what you sold to me...)it will level out wonderfully with no brush marks. We're having a heat wave, so no painting today. I have not see Pratt and Lambert paint in this area. thanks, I appreciate the help.

Hi Everyone! Thank you for all of your contributions and making this such a beautiful conversation thread to re-visit. I just wanted to give you a little update. So was lucky enough to find 1 Princess Anne Rose at Rogers Gardens. I isn’t as Large and Fabulous looking and full of beautiful blooms as the James Austin Roses they recently had in stock... but probably because this was the last Princess Anne Rose available... and all the more fabulous ones were purchased. Even so, I’m still extremely excited about this rose. I can’t quite tell if it’s an own root rose or a grafted rose... but I suspect it might be own root. Is one type considered superior??? What has your experience been between ownroot vs. grafted??? There’s 2 little flower buds on the Princess Anne Rose, and to say I’m excited to see the first bloom would be an understatement. I just planted it in the ground this evening at sunset. These photos are no where near as beautiful as all the ones you’ve shared... but I’m sure some of your will still appreciate them. I’m hoping and praying it will quickly establish and flourish in the spot I have planted it. Oh... and did I mention this is my very first David Austin Rose?... I’ve been admiring David Austin Roses for many years. 😆