I've bought only one rose from Walmart--Elle--and she is beautiful and healthy. In fact, that's why I bought her. I was walking by all the pathetic victims of Walmarts concrete parking lot/greenhouse, and there was one rose standing up healthy and blooming. I figured it she could thrive in that environment, she had to be a winner in my garden where she would actually get water and food! It's up to the buyer to pick the good ones instead of hoping that a dead-looking bundle of twigs will somehow undergo a transfiguration in the home garden. Wish you hadn't mentioned doughnuts. I got a sweet tooth and just remembered there may be one left in the kitchen. 'Cuse me while I go check. Kate

It is very difficult to find budders and very expensive if you can. Also try convincing the US Government you need to a temporary work permit to bring in skilled budders from out of the country! Most budded crops grown in the field are also two year old plus crops. Own root crops in pots are one year old for a gallon plant or larger. For small nurseries the savings of a year old crop over a two year old crop can be the difference between staying in business and bankruptcy. Personally I think the debate over which is better is answered by the simple question, "what is best for you, in your climate and for the types of roses you like to grow?" The answer can be found by talking to other like rose lovers in your area. I like own root for my garden, but it would be presumptuous of me to try to convince someone up north who prefers grafted that own-root is better because I have never grown roses in their climate. And vice versa of course also holds true. ItÂs all personal folks! And isnÂt it great that you have a choice. Paul

First, thanks to everyone for the kind words. I appreciate each one of your kind messages. Olga, you have it more intense than me...I don't have 12 hours at the office most days. But sitting at the desk/talking on the telephone and going to meetings...well, it just seems so un-monk-like. Just my preconception of what my life should have been but it's dying hard! The office is about a 10 mile commute from the abbey, and I requested to ride a bike there most days, and started to do that last week. Otherwise, there's not time for exercise and it would be a double-whammy of no garden, no exercise, and that was more than I can bear. Walking around this morning (I go to the office only this afternoon: half day work today), I noticed that the roses that do really well are a mixed bag of moderns and old - mostly old. Still, to be fair, I need to add to the list of "things that are thriving" some new ones I overlooked: Marie van Houtte Lemon Spice - a fantastic rose Just Joey Rosette Delizy I think I am just going to post here periodically, if only to keep in touch with you people

How old do you have to be to be an "oldtimer"? Yes, I still lurk on occassion and remember RLV well and miss your posts. I am still growing the beautiful Love's Promise you sent me some time ago. I still have the same old Kodak digital camera I got because you used to post such beautiful rose pictures with yours. Glad to hear all is well with you. Hope you are still writing. Hello to everyone else on the forum. It might be interesting if people posted pics of their garden then and now for comparison. I know in my case the trees are a lot larger, the deer population is much greater and we have been in a no watering drought for ever. Still, I have managed to keep things alive and this time of year the roses are tall enough that the deer can't reach the blooms. For those who remember my Betty Priors from Wayside, they were virused and finally declined to the point that they were replaced by KOs last year.