I am definitively a far-apart-rose-gardener. The main reason is that where I live (SoCa, San Diego) most roses get very large anyway and can stand their own ground planted as a single specimen plant. The second reason is that my garden is small, so I simply don't have the space to group roses if I still want to have a certain variety of them. Many of the David Austin varieties are getting especially huge here, so that it is more of a trouble to keep them in check rather than to think about how to get a nice looking full bush and falling back on the trick of planting three roses of the same variety closely in a group together. When I started to garden here at our new property I have made the mistake many times to plant roses too close together and always regretted it. Believe me, it is really not that much fun to move a 6' x 6' rose to a different location. Now I really try to research the mature sizes of roses (in California!!!) before I plant, which unfortunately is not always possible, because the information is often not available. Ideally I prefer to have a foot of space in between roses, because I don't like it that much when they grow into each other (usually one rose suffers in the long run because it is smothered by the other when they are planted to closely) and also because it is easier to work around them (fertilizing, pruning etc.). Even though I have to admit that I have seen photos of rose gardens where the roses are scrambling into each other and it looked gorgeous. I haven't figured out yet, why in my garden when the roses do that it only looked neglected ;-)! Christina Here is a link that might be useful: Organic Garden Dreams

I see what you mean about brown leaves until the plant reaches the fence, so I think you might be right about the heat. I think I might try a mounding clem between two of those and see what happens. I think no one can really tell you what will happen and this may be a time for some experimentation on your part. Are you sure the clems you have planted are only 8" apart? It looks like more to me, but maybe the photo is misleading. I've never overwintered clems in a pot in our zone unless they were buried up to the pot tops in soil, but when I've done that, I've had very good luck. Again, you may have to try and see what happens, but I wouldn't do it unless you can sink them somewhere for the winter.

Aw, yours are all fresh and pretty right now. I love the wide range of greens that are on display. And I envy your pulmonaria--my husband bans spotted plants from our gardens. A couple more questions: What is the star-shaped ground cover you have with Carnival? And do you let your oak leaves deteriorate over the growing season or do you clear them out of your beds eventually? (I'd love to reduce the labor in my garden and let them deterioriate--I have maple leaves--but I find they harbor slugs!)

LOL, you got bitten by the "dish bug" for sure Lynne. I think you were warned that would happen if you hung out here for awhile! I really like the plate with the leaves, and the swirls and solid white will work for so many events. I'm going to have to hit another Dollar Tree, the one near me hasn't added any new dishes in a long time. I've not seen the pretty ones like you found there for sure or they would have had to come home with me! NanaKaren, I'm really glad to hear that your kids are encouraging you to "play dishes", it's really fun to create something and use your pretty dishes and accessories instead of having them just sit in a cupboard. You can even do tables for one if you like, and you know they say food tastes even better on a pretty plate. ;o) Did we post some step by step picture posting instructions for you? If not, just say the word, and we will help you learn to post your pics. Believe me, it makes it so much more fun when you can show off your creations--and if I learned to do it, anyone can. Luvs