Yikes! Be careful with *fresh* chicken/bird manure. Dunno about emus but chicken manure is HOT and should be composted first. This is because of the concentrated ammonia compared to other manure. Ingrid, re: drip... I think drip is a solution of circumstance in each location: water thriftiness, time, location in the yard vs closeness to a water bib, etc. For us, since we are not full time at the mountain weekend/retirement place it started as a necessity, so unlike my old pre-marriage house I couldn't procrastinate until I had planned it ever just so. Also, it sounds like we may have less property, just 1/4 acre in all. *As far as unsightliness*, almost all of the 1/2" line is run either along the fence line, or under the rocks defining pathways or garden plots and doesn't show. The 1/4" line on the roses on the fence don't show at all because of the bushes, the rest where it shows now, the bushes are either growing to cover soon or I guess I can't care cause it's not much. *As far as clogged drippers*, I'm with you on that one, but that's an easy one to fix at least for me and a time trade-off with watering, but I think I come out ahead. Have you tried 'FLAG DRIPPERS'? As I've mentioned umpteen times here on the forum our WW water you can 'bout stand a spoon in it is so hard. Flag drippers are great because the end (flag) can be either twisted or removed. Twisting usually releases the mineral buildup, if not or if there is debris in the line, you can take the end off to clear the line. The latter mostly happens on drippers to the end of the line. In the summer I do this when the drip is running ;-) The ones that I get aren't anything special, I get them at Lowe's. For roses, with the hard water, I usually use two 2gal drippers per plant (none are more than 6x10'). Since, ad nauseum, we are so hard, I check to see if they are running well every couple of weeks, but still, this is less time than watering. This last year, after oh, 3 years I guess, I got another set of drippers to change out so I could soak the existing ones in hot vinegar to clean them. I'll swap them out as I prune/fertilize again in a year or two now that I've had this idea (saves time on the knees/back to do it all at once). *Re our environments* Well, I think I can top you on dryness, it was 9% 'humidity' when we came up on Friday morning, BUT only 70deg. In the heat of our summer we only get a month hovering around 90+. When the daytime gets warm enough, I switch the drip over from morning to evenings so the plants have more access to the water. This is a foreign idea for me growing up by the coast as evening watering of anything only promotes fungus; however, someone up here suggested it and since we are so dry it made a lot of sense and I could see the improvement. *Re since you asked for opinions* Ok, since you asked (and just my opinion, you know how I love to share ;-) so not a judgment) but based on a small slice of similar weather, humidity, and as I recall you also have decomposing granite soil as a base, a couple of thoughts... You said your roses get enough water, but it would seem not the case if they wilt so quickly, right? - OR, so to speak maybe the *AVAILABLE* water could be improved (???), which is where I *subjectively* anyway think that the drip gives me an advantage, at least on my weather/dirt - more water gets to the *deep* roots, less to evaporate, and better still, less weeds. Otoh, I do still need to hose water to work in fertilizer, alfalfa, etc. All that said as I contemplate, I DO have an advantage of our pines that filter here and there a little bit during the day. Otoh, I do have more UV radiation at my elevation. TOO MANY VARIABLES!!! ;-) I may have inferred that you had drip at a former house? If that is the case, it would be a really interesting experiment in your current location if you ran a short drip line off from your hose bib (you could put in a Y so you could still use your hose) and see if the dripped roses do better than before. That would be really interesting!!! As for mulch, I keep adding over time and as everyone says, it just keeps improving, I've now actually found earthworms so I guess it's working ;-) My very best to you, I hope you get this figured out so it best suits you and your garden! Kerin

Just for sake of clarification: we are talking good, LONG LASTING CUT flowers. Because I love SDLM but it has never been a good cut flower for me. I never even cut Elle because it blows so fast. Below I list not my absolute favorites but a few that are good cut flowers for me (in some cases the two are the same) Here are a few roses I love for cutting. Papa Meilland if cut in tight bud (1 week-10 days) Rouge Royale - if cut in tight bud Bride's dream - if it is not damaged by thrips Valencia Arizona Floral Fairy Tale (to my surprise because it is a shrub or flori not a HT) Osiana Imperatrice Farah Black Baccara Tineke Karen Blixen (not always but often) Frederic Mistral Memorial Day

The following is a list of plants suitable for a Moon Garden and was provided by Clare_CA in June 2004. Plants for a Moon Garden Most of these plants have fragrant flowers or fragrant foliage, but some of them are not fragrant but were added for their beauty at night. Abronia fragrans, sand verbena Acacia Farnesiana, Perfume Acacia Acacia Floribunda, Profuse Flowering Acacia Aglaia odorata (Chinese perfume plant, chinese rice flower, Mock Lemon, Family: Meliaceae) Alcea rugosa, Yellow Hollyhock Allamanda Cathartica (Golden Trumpet, Family: Apocynaceae) Allamanda Williamsii (Golden trumpet vine, Family: Apocynaceae) Anemone x hybrida 'Whirlybirds', Japanese anemone Angelonia goyazensis (Angel Mist, Summer Snapdragon, Angel Flower, Family: Scrophulariaceae) Araujia sericofera, Physianthus albens (Bladder flower, Family: Asclepiadaceae) Artabotrys Hexapetalus, A. odoratissimus, A. uncinatus (Ylang Ylang vine, Bhandari vine, Climbing lang-lang, Tail grape, ilang-ilang, Family: Annonaceae) Artemisia, Artemisia schmidtiana, wormwood Beaumontia grandiflora (Easter Lily Vine, Heralds Trumpet, Nepal Trumpet Flower, Family: Apocynaceae) Bouvardia longiflora Brugmansia, (Angels Trumpet, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia americana (Lady of the night, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia australis (Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia floribunda (Morning, Noon and Night, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia gigantea (Lady of the Night, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia grandiflora (Yesterday -Today -Tomorrow, Kiss-me-quick, Royal Purple Brunfelsia, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia jamaicensis (Lady of the Night, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia lactea (Lady of the night, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia manaca (Manaca, Family: Solanaceae) Brunfelsia nitida (, Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)) Brunfelsia Pilosa (Manaca root, Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)) Buddleia asiatica Buddleia davidii, Butterfly Bush Calonyction aculeatum, Ipomoea alba (Giant moonflower, Family: Convolvulaceae) Calycanthus Floridus, Sweet Shade Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang, Perfume Tree, Chanel #5 Tree, ilang-ilang, Family: Annonaceae) Cananga odorata var. Fruticosa (Dwarf Ylang-Ylang, Family: Annonaceae) Carex muskingumensis 'Ice Fountains', Palm sedge Carissa carandas (Karanda, Family: Apocynaceae) Carissa macrocarpa, C. grandiflora (Natal Plum, Family: Apocynaceae) Cassia Didymobotrya, C. Siamea (Popcorn Cassia, Peanut Butter Senna, Family: Fabaceae) Cassia odorata, Senna odorata (Southern cassia, Family: Caesalpiniaceae / Fabaceae) Cerbera odollam, C.dilatata (Chiute, Chatthankai, Grey Milkwood, Family: Apocynaceae) Cestrum nocturnum (Night blooming jasmine, Queen of the Night, Night Jessamine, Lady of the Night, Family: Solanaceae) Cheiranthus allionii, Wallflower Chonemorpha fragrans (Frangipani vine, Family: Apocynaceae) Chonemorpha penangensis (Chonemorpha, Family:Apocynaceae) Citrus flowers Clerodendrum bungei (Cashmere (Cashmir) bouquet, Glory Bower, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum minahasse (Fountain Clerodendrum, Clerodendron, Tube flower, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum philippinum Schau, C. fragrans pleniflorum, c. chinense (Chinese Glory Bower, Cashmere bouqet, Scent Malli, False Pikake, Glory Tree, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum trichotomum, C. trichotonum (Harlequin Glory, Family: Verbenaceae) Clusia lanceolata (Copey, Balsam Apple, Pitch Apple, Cerra cipapao apple, Family: Guttiferae (Clusiaceae)) Coccoloba Uvilfera, Sea Grapes Coffea arabica, C. robusta (Coffee, Family: Rubiaceae) Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' Cosmos bipinnatus 'Daydream' Costus speciosa Alba (White Costus, Family: ) Datura inoxia Datura metel Datura metel 'Cornucopea' (Purple Horn-of-Plenty, Jimpson Weed, Devils Weed, Family: Solanaceae) Datura wrightii Dianthus Barbatus, Sweet William Dianthus Caryophyllus, Snow White Carnation Dichondra "Silver Falls" Dombeya wallichii (Dombea, Tropical Hydrangea, Family: Sterculiaceae) Echinacea "White Swan" Epiphyllum Oxypetalum, Night Blooming Cereus Eremurus x Ruiter's hybrids (foxtail lily) Eugenia uniflora, E. michelii (Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry, Family: Myrtaceae) Euphorbia marginata, Snow-on-the-mountain Fagraea Berteriana (Perfume Flower Tree, Pua Keni Keni, Family: Loganiaceae/Gentianaceae) Freesia Galium Odoratum, Sweet Woodruff Gardenia Augusta (Bush Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia brighamii (Native Hawaiian Gardenia Nau, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Four Seasons (Gardenia Four Seasons, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Jasminoides (Cape jasmine, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia jasminoides 'White Gem' (White Gem, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Radicans (Dwarf Gardenia Radicans, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia taitensis Star of Tahiti (Tahiti Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia taitensis Tiare Tahiti (Tahiti Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia thunbergium (white gardenia, forest gardenia, wild gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Tubifera Kula (Golden Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Vietnamensis (Vietnamese Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gauras (G.coccinea, G. lindheimeri, G. parviflora) Gelsemium sempervirens (Yellow jessamine, Carolina Jasmine, Yellow jessamine, Trumpet Flower, Family: Loganiaceae) Genista, Sweet Broom Hedychium coronarium, White Ginger, Garland Lily, Butterfly Ginger (Family: Zingiberaceae) Heliotropium arborescens Alba, white Heliotrope Heliotropium Peruviana, H. arborescens (Turnsole, Cherry Pie, Family: Boraginaceae) Hemerocallis citrina, night-blooming daylily Hesperaloe nocturna, night yucca Hesperis matronalis, Dame's Rocket, Dame's Violet, Mother of the Evening, Sweet Rocket Hesperis Tristis, Night-scented Stock Hosta plantaginea, August Lily, Fragrant Hosta, Liliaceae Lily (Family: Liliaceae) Hymenosporum flavum, Sweetshade Tree Ipomoea alba, Moonflower vine Itea virginica Sprich (Virginia Sweetspire, Little Henry, Family: Grossulariaceae) Ixora fragrans (Fragrant Ixora, Family: Rubiaceae) Ixora sp. (Jungle flame, Needle flower, Family: Rubiaceae) Jasminum Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum azoricum, Jasminum trifoliatum Moench, J. bahiense, J. blandum, J. fluminense, J hildebrandtii, J. holstii (River Jasmine, Scrambling Vine, J. De Trapo, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum dichotomum (Gold Coast Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum humile, J. grandiflorum (Italian Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae.) Jasminum mesnyi, J. primulinum (Japanese Jasmine, Primrose J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum Molle (Jasminum Molle, Indian Jui, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum nitidum, J. magnificum, J. illicifolium (Star Jasmine, Angelwing J., Shining J., Windmill J., Royal J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum officinale grandiflorum, J. viminale, J. vulgatum, J. Affine (True jasmine, Common jasmine, French Perfume Jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Catalonian J., Spanish J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum parkeri (Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum polyanthum, J. blinii, J. delafieldii (Pink jasmine, Winter Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum pubescens , J. multiflorum, J. gracillimum (Downy Jasmine, Angel Hair Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum sambac, J. fragrans, J. undulatum, Mogori Sambac, Mogori undulata, Nyctanthes sambac (Arabian Jasmine, J. Grand Duke Of Tuscany, Butt Mograw, Belle of India, Maid of Orleans, Hawaiian Pikake, Sampaguitas, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum stephanense (Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum tortuosum (African Jasmine, Perfume jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum volubile, J. simplicifolium (Wax Jasmine, Family: ) Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', lavender Lobularia maritima 'Pastel Carpet', sweet alyssum Lonicera heckrottii (Honeysuckle, Family: Caprifoliaceae) Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle, Halls honeysuckle, Family: Caprifoliaceae) Magnolia (Family: Magnoliaceae) Mandevilla boliviensis, M. sanderi (Mandevilla Summer Snow, Family: Apocynaceae) Mandevilla Pink Parfeit (Hybrid Mandevilla, Family: Apocynaceae) Manglietia insignis, Red Lotus Tree Matthiola bicornis. Night-scented Stock Matthiola longipetala, Evening-scented stock Melia azedarach (Chinaberry Tree, Indian Lilac, Pride of India, White Cedar, Family: Meliaceae) Michelia champaca (Joy perfume tree, Family: Magnoliaceae) Michelia chapensis Michelia coco, M. Pumila Michelia Figo (Banana Magnolia, Family: Magnoliaceae) Michelia x alba, Magnolia Alba (White champak, Pak-lan, Family: Magnoliaceae) Mirabilis jalapa (Four o'clocks, Family: Nyctaginaceae) Mitriostigma axillare, Gardenia citriodora (African Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Montanoa grandiflora (Tree Daisy, Family: Asteraceae) Murraya exotica Mini (Miniature Orange jasmine, Family: Rutaceae) Murraya paniculata (Orange Jasmine, O. Jessamine, Mock Orange, Lakeview jasmine, Family: Rutaceae) Myrtus, True Myrtle Narcissus Nicotiana alata, Jasmine Tobacco, flowering tobacco Nicotiana sylvestris, Woodland Tobacco Nicotiana x sanderae, Flowering Tobacco Nottingham Catchfly, Night-flowering Catchfly, and White Campion Ochna serrulata, O. multiflora, O. atropurpurea, O.thomasiana (Mickey Mouse Plant, Bird's Eye Bush, small-leaved plane, carnival bush,, Family: Ochnaceae) Oenothera biennis, Evening Primrose Osmanthus fragrans, Olea fragrans, Olea ovalis, Osmanthus longibracteatus, Osmanthus macrocarpus (Tea olive, fragrant olive, sweet olive, kinmokusei in Japan, Family: Oleaceae) Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide', Holly Osmanthus Passifloras, Passion flowers (P. Belotii, P. Incense, P. Alata "Ruby Glow.") Petunia 'Tidal Wave Silver' Philadelphus, Mock Orange Phlox paniculata, white varieties Plumeria sp., Frangipani, Temple tree (Family: Apocynaceae) Plumeria stenophylla, Frangipani (Family: Apocynaceae) Polianthes tuberosa, Tuberose Pterospermum acerifolium, Dinnerplate tree Quisqualis Indica, Rangoon Creeper, Burma creeper, Chinese honeysuckle, (Family: Combretaceae) Randia formosa, Mussaenda formosa Jacq., Randia mussaenda, Blackberry jam fruit, Jasmin de rosa (Family: Rubiaceae Madder family) Ruellia noctiflora, Night-blooming ruellia, Night-blooming wild petunia Salvia argentea, Silver sage Saponaria officinalis, Soapwart, Bouncing Bet, Fuller's-herb, Lady's-washbowl, Latherwort, Old-maid's-pink Saraca indica, S. asoca, Jonesia asoca (Ashoka Tree, Jonesia Asoka, Gandhapushpa, Sorrowless tree, Family: Caesalpiniaceae) Scabiosa Selenicerus grandiflora, Queen of the Night Senecio cineraria, Dusty Miller Solandra maxima, S. hartwegii, S. selerae, S. grandiflora (Butter Cup, Gold Cup, Chalice Vine, Cup-of-Gold, Trumpet Plant, Family: Solanaceae) Stemmadenia galeottiana (litoralis) (Lechoso, Milky Way tree, Family: Apocynaceae) Stephanotis floribunda (Bridal Bouquet, Family: Asclepiadaceae) Strophanthus Gratus, Climbing oleander, Cream Fruit, Rose allamanda (Family: Apocynaceae) Strophanthus preussii, Poison arrow vine (Family: Apocynaceae) Sweet Autumn Clematis, Clematis terniflora (Family: Ranunculaceae) Syringa vulgaris, lilacs Tabernaemontana Divaricata cv Flore Pleno (Crape Jasmine, Carnation of India, East Indian rosebay, Adam's apple, Nero's crown, coffee rose,, Family: Apocynaceae) Tabernaemontana holstii, Gardenia Nitida, Samoan Gardenia, Samoan name: pua (Family: Apocynaceae) Telosoma cordata, Pakalana vine (Family: Asclepiadaceae) Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asian Jasmine, Yellow star jasmine (Family: Apocynaceae) Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Confederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine (Family: Apocynaceae) Vigna caracalla, Corkscrew flower (Family: Fabaceae) Wisteria floribunda, Japanes Wisteria Wisteria sinensis, Chinese Wisteria Wrightia religiosa, Sacred Buddhist, Wondrous Wrightia (Family: Apocynaceae) Wrightia tinctoria, Snowflake, Milky way, Winter Cherry Tree (Family: Apocynaceae) Yucca filamentosa, Yucca

Well girls I recommend Dahlia and Gerbera, A good no maintainence plants here GH, the Gerbera were a $1.88 punnet from Big W must be close on two years ago and they have thickened up so much, no bug grubs or any problems like that and they last longer in the vase than the roses here. But having said that for Qld.... Michelle I used to grow lots of dahlia when I lived in Melbourne all colours and shapes. I used to go to the Garden Shows at the Exhibition Buildings many years ago, they always had them in flower then so you could choose, I would order them and they came by mail late October, they used to say plant your dahlia on Melbourne Cup day. Of course here it is a lot earlier, and I buy mine at Big W at the end of the planting season so get them at throw out prices this years ones are just starting to flower now, would you believe more white, but the cacti variety I had a beautiful pink one but it rotted so Iam hoping there will be one in this lot..Cheers..MM. Pink Cacti I have no more.