Wow, thanks guys and gals for providing info that did not know. I'll watch the daylily and may try to get the proliferation to grow. Botrytis is new to me. and we have certainly had the weather conditions you discribed--both of them. ehann, sorry that your Memorial day doesn't open. Mine is in constant bloom--just filled with unsightly speckles! Weldon

Wild rose species, an intentional redundancy, can have as many as 15 leaflets per leaf. Hybrid Teas commonly have 5 leaflets, many of the Old Garden Roses I grow have 7, and some Eglantines have 9 leaflets per leaf. The number of leaflets a rose cultivar (cultivated variety) has is determined by which species, and/or garden classes of rose,that it has as ancestors. Luxrosa

marcia, I am so sorry to hear this! I didn't have a lot of luck with the Morden roses (Morden Blush and Morden Sunrise) before, but the John Davis that I planted last year had NO die back whatsoever and is growing very well already! The Hope for Humanity rose had some die back but is doing fairly well. However, the Morden Belle is something that I am thinking of getting rid of.... over the last 3 years, it had significant die back every year, and also the new branches tend to flop a lot. The roses were not spectacular either. So, in the end, it just survived but not thrived. Since these are all in my yard, I think that it's more to do with the species than me... LOL! Wayne, I am curious to hear about your Double Knockout, as I had a hedge of it in my zone 5 garden before, and it grew as tall as 5 feet and it was an unstoppable blooming machine! Do they really survive in zone 3 then? Marcia, I think that your theory that it was the cold weather after the warm temperature had a lot to do with it. Isn't it such a pain to garden in our FAR NORTH location!? Sigh.....

I almost planted my White Pet last night after watering, but by then it was nearly dark and I'm such a slow poke. Maybe I will start by mixing the amendments in a bucket and placing some gypsum in the bottom of the hole first. Then the actual planting will go faster. Also I seem to only have size "Ginormous" gopher cages left, and only a medium size hole. There's always some obstacle/ excuse. I thought maybe my new purchase of these solar powered, beeping, vibrating stakes was effective at keeping them away. I installed them in February and yesterday I saw a fresh gopher mound. Some say the stakes work, other say they're a total waste of money. I couldn't dig up and cage everything that was already planted, and the stakes are nontoxic so I was willing to try. I still believe they have helped some. I've had far less gopher activity than most years, but this time of year is the real test. It's hot and dry out and they smell the water in my yard. If you water, they will come..... Millie went to see her Dr. yesterday and all is well. She is adapting to having only one rear leg, and she's strengthening it. For now all is well. She had another round of shots, so she is not quite as spunky today. A cuddle mood, is what she's in today. Ingrid, I hope your Tea rose pulls through. Is it Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux? I sure hope she holds on. Is Mme. Franziska Kruger the one potted on the bench? need a break. To be continued I'm back. I heard some commotion and after doing a kitty count, realized Dexter was involved in something. He had cornered a squirrel. This is the first squirrel I have ever seen in my garden. I put all my little hunters inside, and Mr. Squirrel left, cussing up a storm as he went. I hope he was scared enough not to come back to my yard. My tomatoes are just ripening! Back to the roses. I don't know which one you planted and which one is waiting Ingrid, but I hope it's ok. The black canes don't sound so good. Does spraying with water help the canes in this situation? I planted a Lady Ash(aka Dixieland Linda) about 6? weeks ago, in full sun. I finagled an atrocity of a sun block for her, but she's still unhappy. Maybe she's embarrassed:) Lady Ash is supposed to be a strong girl, related or sport to "Aloha", which I know you have, Ingrid. She has no black canes, but no growth, and tiny pale leaves. She just looks bad.I keep telling her, " Hold on Lady! It's not always like this here. Your gonna love it 9 months of the year". I'm not sure if I'm saying this for her benefit or mine. Gdinieontario, wow 18 years! Looks great. WP must handle some cold winters quite well. Does yours bloom in flushes, or always some blooming during the season? I'm so eager to get mine planted out. You may wish us a short mild summer, and we will wish you a short mild winter in return. Lisa PS. I see that your Blue hosta has also lasted at least 10 years. Nice!