Well, if nobody wants to talk about Caroline Hairston (pouting, LOL) then can you tell me more about Mier y Teran and/or Star of the Republic? I know what ARE says about both of them, and I own them both but they're too young to be doing much yet and despite many visits to the south ARE, I haven't been able to catch one of these guys in bloom or even large enough in their pots to give me a better feel for the growth habit. From description, I envision Star of the Republic being kind of big and sprawly, maybe looking good just let "fountain" and Mier y Teran being great for a pillar. Has anyone tried SotR on a pillar? Does anyone have pics of the blooms of either? Any input is welcome....I'm doing garden placements this week. Thanks, Debra

OMG! No phone! That's my connection to the rest of the world! I can stay in touch while I weed,clean or doing laundry. I can't imagine, what happens if there's an emergency? I would be terrified! I have the option to answer or not so it doesn't bother me that it rings too much! Annie, your killing me! I love those pics. I keep going back and looking at them. I thought I posted a good box, I guess not.LOL Tracy, where did you go???? Fran, it's getting close for your turn:]

Duratrel makes vinyl PVC trellises and arbors. They have a 20 year warranty, and are easy to assemble. Many different styles and price points. They come with metal stakes that when driven into the ground make them sturdy enough for training a rose. Here's a few links: http://t.homedepot.com/p/Dura-Trel-85-in-x-64-in-x-28-in-Mocha-Vinyl-PVC-Providence-Arbor-11178M/205709042/ http://t.homedepot.com/p/Dura-Trel-100-in-x-58-in-x-37-in-White-Vinyl-PVC-Hartford-Arbor-11110/205708843/ I have a couple of the trellis in Mocha next to the house and they blend nicely with our brick, which I like, so the rose can stand out. Any metal type of arbor which is sturdy enough for a rose is a different story, you can't get one that you can assemble, you need to get it in one large piece. That means shipping on a truck and can easily bump up the cost, but I think that A Rustic Garden has a good selection and is reasonable. http://www.arusticgarden.com/arandar.html As far as iron, I have actually found it be be more cost effective to have a local metal worker make something. I have just been going down this road recently looking for a couple of iron obelisks, so this is all fresh in my mind... On a side note, if the iron is treated correctly, is should not rust into a deteriorated pile. It can be clear coated with a spar-eurathane or an outdoor rated spray paint. Home Depot has a good selection. Granted it will need some maintenance - meaning every couple of years add a clear coat- which I plan to do in winter. I have several outdoor tables which are iron and I have them treated like this. They are many years old and doing great. Nothing is maintenance free. I personally wouldn't want anything rusting onto my roses, so even if you go the re-bar route, I would consider using a spar-eurathane to prevent that...just my 2cent :-) Have fun with your project! Adrianne

Yes, it's the same rose. The year I bought my two I think it was listed as 2.5 feet or something odd. HMF says 3-6 feet, but used to say only 3, I think. But funniest is HMF says Ascot grows up to 18 inches wide--mine is about 7 feet. It's a good thing I just happened to plant the one in the photo in a place with lots of room, but I have had to remove a lavender, dianthus, and will remove another big lavender this spring to make way. It's currently duking it out with a huge snowball bush. Who will win? Diane Ascot in 2013--see how far away the snowball is? The rose is touching it now. The lavender on the right is gone and other will soon be gone; it's being crushed.