I may need to do containers because of tree roots, too. I'm embarrassed to say the idea never occurred to me! I have seen very old roses break through the bottom of their pots at Sequoia nursery and elsewhere, and have often thought that the thing to do was to make some bigger holes in the pots to let that happen. A friend grows his tomatoes in open-bottomed boxes that he just sets around in his back yard - he digs up a square of grass, plunks down the box (he builds them), fills them with dirt, and grows the best tomatoes ever. Love your idea of trash cans for the tomatoes! I love the Archduke all year long. What a rose! Anita

I was just wondering about this one myself. Thanks for posting, Aprille. Spring is filling up fast, with the HRF conference the weekend of April 17-20 and the Sacramento Cemetery Open Garden on April 12 and the SF Garden Show on the weekend of March 15. But I'm with Alanna. Dirt Day is one of the highlights of my spring and fall calendar. I like the work and I like the company and I like the revelry. Rosefolly

When I discovered Vintage it felt like opening the door to Aladin's cave. A year later the door slammed shut or so I then thought. But the Vintage garden itself survives and its many cultivars have been preserved and passed on to others and maybe, in time, it will be possible for other nurseries to propagate and pass on the unique varieties at Vintage. In our time on earth we do our work and then pass the torch and so it is with Greg and Gita (who BTW were a joy to deal with). Thank you so much and yes I do very much like Cymbeline, one of your favorites, even though as a baby it has hardly begun to"strut its stuff". Cath

Linda Erasmus, blushing I was alluding to Ronda's Mountain Laurel, I think it is called--always loved it as well as your Rosette Delizy which doesn't look a thing like mine but quite a bit like "The Rose of Tralee". It is a lucky rose for me too. John please come back and tell me I'm so stinking funney--this is embarrassing, but I never weary of that and I love you dearly as always. Jean kisses to all the pups and how fine to see you cruising the forum once more. You've been missed. Thank you. Melva, just today I was telling your turtle storey and it made me smile just like your post on my bd. Thanks sweetie. Patricia, no shame and no blame. You are a perennial in the ffavorites garden. Thank you for your much treasured friendship. Randy I do love that rose--makes me laugh every time I think of you naming it Norman. I was hoping you'd show up, it wouldn't be my birthday thread without you--despite the advanced hat size with all your kind remarks. Now that Jean, Patricia,you, and Melva have shown up, my birthday is a smashing success. I so appreciate all this love. Right back atcha. la