Gardengal, thanks for comforting me with news that it doesn't take over the garden! I have a David Austin Rose with small but profuse white flowers and it's just occurred to me that it might be a good companion. I get what you mean about the Agastache; it worked well in adjacent containers at least :-). Campanula, I have been growing it in a pot. It was in desperate shape when it arrived, but I was also a little wary of it. Someone gifted me with a small Scrophularia californica that in one season grew into a near giant of a plant. It had very insignificant flowers so I didn't think it was worth the space it took up and when I tried to remove it, I discovered very thuggish roots. They were thick and fleshy and they had scrambled everywhere and were the sort that resprouted vigorously. What is it about the Figwort family that has you wanting to avoid them? mxk3: I hadn't seen it before either, but once having seen it, it's fairly unforgettable as it is quite a stunning plant. Here's a good description of it: Scrophularia auriculata variegata

Beautiful photos, Lisa! I am celebrating Mel's comeback and sending sympathy for your garden frustrations. (Insert Munch's The Scream.) Our roses are like children exposed to the perils of the world. I hover a lot. Helicopter parent of horticulture. I would dearly love to find a spot for this Barden beauty. After reading your story and Jeri's, I feel I need it even more. I like survivors! I have 3 ramblers on my possibilities list, Ghislaine, Pink Ghislaine and Mel's Heritage. Mel is at the top. But where to put him? Maybe I can start a roof garden. Ha, ha. Carol

What a funny story! I'm sure it was annoying as heck, but it definitely makes a good after-the-fact anecdote, doesn't it! We've had Canada geese on our workplace campus lately. We're on an expanse of acreage that is designated as a wildlife habitat, so it's not unusual to see wild things from time to time. These geese are especially noisy, though, and I wonder if it's mating time for them. It's especially goofy to hear them in the background during Zoom calls, particularly when they're outside and several stories down on the ground! They're loud suckers. I'm still disgusted at the way the robins shat my house up during Snowpocalypse. They ate all the berries from our hollies, then proceeded to digest and spew purplish-colored "stuff" everywhere. Even after power washing, I can still see traces of it on the porch and sidewalk.

Actually, it could just be the light balance she used with her camera when taking the photo. Notice the difference in her chair colors, also.