I guess you're from Australia? I'm from Vic. I used to grow AB. I got it from Mistydowns. AB is a fast repeater with strong scent. However this rose is prone to B/S when you don't spray. I would grow this rose again in the future if I have a large space. I don't think this rose is suitable for a pot because it likes to branch out. Claire Austin is very healthy and bushy (it retains most of its leaves). However, the blooms look very plain/ordinary. I guess I don't like white roses and I can't detect much scent. Heritage is another lovely rose that I prefer over C/A because of its lemony scent that can waft around during the summertime. It likes to throw out long canes and gets big very quickly. Like Claire Austin, Heritage can loose its petals very quickly.

Thanks cactus dude! I was worried about the cold and large cacti, but thought I'd ask anyway. I'm in Santa Fe, and I've seen the many beautiful trunked yuccas around... I especially like Y. elata and Y. faxoniana. Do you know of a place in Albuquerque where I could get these (say at two or three feet tall) for a reasonable price? Oh, and I would absolutely love to have a Joshua Tree, even a tiny one without branches, but I haven't seen them for sale here in Santa Fe (I've seen the others plenty, but they're always very pricey). If you're ever in Santa Fe, the following are a few plants you might want to check out that will probably surprise you with their hardiness or size (if you haven't seen them already): - AZ Barrel Cactus (in yard of Tropic of Capricorn at Southeast edge of town along Old Las Vegas Highway) - White Sands Claret Cup (several very large ones at Santa Fe Greenhouses/High Country Gardens display garden on Rufina St., lots of cool succulents) - Unknown Agave (right side of Camino Carlos Rey two blocks north of Zia)... this plant is big and beautiful, and definitely not one of the usually considered hardy agaves, such as A. havardiana or A. parryi. - Huge Yellow Bird of Paradise (Osage St. between Cerrillos and Agua Fria). Well, thanks again, and enjoy your gardening... Chris

Hiya Helen, I know of a few places... Try mailing Lester Meyers for one of his catalogues: 44 Wamboin St Gilgandra NSW 2827 He has great variety and loads of plants from $1.50, I'm just about to order from him but a friend of mine just received an order and she's very, very happy! The Cactus Garage are also cheap with good variety, very friendly and helpful, and also very prompt to reply to any queries: 3 Edward St Bayswater Victoria 3153 Or email cactus@eisa.net.au for them to email you a catalogue. Or visit Cactusland online at: Cactusland Cheers, Lis :D

If you want to look at natives (and who doesn't) you might consider Diploglottis australis which has large, felty compound leaves and tasty fruit, or castanospermum australe, the Moreton Bay chestnut, which has very colourful flowers. Also consider firewheel (Stenocarpus)or tree waratahs (alloxylon) which have nice big red flowers. Tony