RE: dino garden-- When I've seen dino dioramas and drawings, so many of the plants look subtropical to tropical that it seems like a natural fit. I've even seen some fossilized rock out in Colorado that had imprints of palmetto leaves in it-- from back when the Rockies were underwater (!). For a dino garden, I'd just use things like palms and cycads with some funky dino statuettes-- I hadn't gotten too far past that, with the exception of some sort of "rock pit" or sandbox where a child can "dig for fossils." (I've seen the fossil dig at some different park/nature expos, and kids do think it's pretty fun to dig in the dirt anyway.) I was toying with it after reading about using cardboard palm which supposedly dates way back or is related to some ancient palms (can't remember). Then I read that parts of it were poisonous. That's the downside of using some cycads in a children's garden-- though I believe some are safe. That's about as far as I got...given all the mini-dinos we have in this state, they'd certainly add to the atmosphere too! I think you have a rudimentary start with Godzilla there! --Shelbey

Your photos are amazing!!! I bought Tiffany late last year - after seeing your photo, I'm so glad I got it!!! Your Tiffany is exquisite!!! This will be my Paradise's 3rd year. If it doesn't perk up, it's gone. I have NEVER got a rose like your Paradise. Good grief that's gorgeous. Your Gemini is a work of art. Unbelievable. Tiger Stripes and Cherry Parfait look amazing. You really are good at this!! Carol

I think Lowe's has a 1 year guarantee. Maybe that would work on these roses. I was in our local Lowe's the other day, was looking at the roses. Just pathetic! Most were wilted, dried up, crying out for water. A guy who looked like a manager pranced up to me, all smiley faced and asked if I was finding everything all right - I said yes, but would you please get someone to water your poor roses? I am a rose person and it really bothers me to see those poor plants dying from lack of water. His happy face burst like a balloon and he gave me a blank stare. He pointed at a lady employee and said oh, that is her department. She apologized and said she has been really busy. I thought - doing what? Watching the roses die? Most of the ones on display were in death throes from lack of water. I strolled through the garden area later and she was watering - not the roses but ferns, etc. that looked just fine. Then they put the half dead plants on 50% or more off.....when they could have just cared for them and sold them at full price. Go figure! I haven't noticed roots like what you all described but will check. They are bad about mislabeling plants. I bought on another trip there a rose that had probably just arrived, looked great, beautiful buds. It is labeled Carefree Beauty but it most certainly is not. It looks like a pale pink double Knockout. Have seen the candy pink, pink blush, more like a single, but not one like this. And....the other day it produced a bloom that is half red/half blush pink. I have heard of KO's that occasionally do this. So who knows what it is? Its pretty - healthy and is going in my pink bed - and I WILL check the roots! Judith

I don't have any suggestions, I'm afraid. I like the idea of different roses on an arch, it suits my own "wild" garden look. Do you know this nursery in Ithaca, NY? I am sure the owner has some suggestions. https://www.derrosenmeister.com You can find a tour of his garden on youtube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5SKH3sF_7c&t=3114s