The rose with the strongest fragrance in my garden is definitely climbing Crimson Glory. I'm not keen on red roses usually, but I spotted this one growing up a tree in the yard of an empty cottage near our downtown that was slated to be torn down. I like climbers, so I braved the "Keep Out" signs and the overgrown yard to get over to it. The fragrance almost knocked me over, and the dark velvety blooms are gorgeous. It is now in my garden (yes, the cottage was torn down, and that area is now a parking lot) growing around a rose folly in the center of a flower bed, so many of the roses are right at nose level. Of course, part of it has escaped the rose folly, and had grown up a Sombreuil that is growing next to it on a large arch, along with a dark purple clematis whose name I forget. The color combination in the Spring when all three are blooming is amazing. I have two very large bushes of Le Vesuve, which I love. I find the fragrance nice but not strong, and I do prefer the very strong classic "rose" fragrance of Crimson Glory. Jackie

Here is one I didn't know about. Looks like they LOVE the high summer rainfall, and deep sandy soils of southeastern Virginia! The best Cryptomeria I've ever seen on the east coast (probably, anywhere! I've never been to JP or CN) was somewhere in Norfolk but I doubt I could ever find it again. http://bigtree.cnre.vt.edu/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=660 Time for those folks to install a lightning arrester for that tree! Or make sure the church spire is well grounded so that it diverts the charge LOL.

Charles, I'll be 69 this year and have citrus in heavy 22" clay pots. I also have figs in half whiskey barrels. Been rethinking that one. Anyway my husband and I move them with a 2 wheeled cart (dolly). I think that I could move the clay pots by myself if I had to - probably not the half whiskey barrels. The leverage is all wrong. If worst comes to worst, I'll top and root prune the plants to fit them in smaller pots, sort of bonsai them over time. I suppose when I get very old I may not be able to grow the plants that I like but I intend to fight it. Buylady, We move the citrus out in the Spring about mid-April and back in in the Fall about October 7th. The timing is based on frost dates here. Because the moves are only twice a year, it may be easier to coordinate it with your helper than this year. Cath

Dear Mike, Congratulations on quitting your job! :) Things may be difficult for you now, but it sounds like quitting was the right thing to do, and I'm glad to hear you did it. (IÂm not sure itÂs my place to be proud of you, but I am :) Years ago, I was laid off from my first job after finishing school mostly because I refused to lie for my boss. He told me to tell a supplier that the check to pay them for their previous work was being sent, when we both knew that that check would not be written for at least three weeks. The point was to cajole them into doing more work for us, for which we would presumably pay them someday. I'm not a person who usually holds to deep convictions, but I looked at the boss and told him that if he wanted the supplier told that the check was being cut, he would have to tell them that himself. When the lay-off list came out four weeks later, my name was on it. It was very difficult for me at the time, but I did find another (much better) job, and over the years I've gotten to be slightly proud of finding a level below which I would not descend. I hope things work out as well or even better :) for you, Yama-san. with increased respect, - Evelyn