I was just reading about a similar kind of problem over on the hosta forum, since hostas tend to be planted around trees. Seems the maple tree roots spread out everywhere and become ensnared in the hosta roots and end up strangling them, as it were. It occurred to me that it was a good thing that I had never tried to grow roses in my front yard which has a number of maple trees. A similar problem could happen with maples and roses. I mention this only for some of you in the midwest to check if you grow maples in your yards. Might produce problems like aptosca described above. Congratulation aptosca on finding cause and working so hard to "rescue" your roses. Your pics are lovely! Kate

Yes! I didn't think my plants would bloom at all this year, so it was exciting enough to see them spitting out the flower stalks, and now they're actually giving me flowers. I cheated a bit of course sometimes, for the Stapelia I chose one that had a little bud already xD

Love all those little "gnomey" houses! Also all the rock-work walls and structures; they must be hundreds of years old. Wonderful shots, thank you so much. Looks like the kids enjoyed the water, so I assume it wasn't too cold. You had a trip of a lifetime and got to enjoy it with family. It doesn't get any better than than that!

Used be Erigeron mucronatus which was a bit easier to spell ;-) Interestingly, this is a plant which has made its home on our walls in my lifetime. I never saw it until a visit to France in 1966. Now it is all over the place, including my garden. It is not a huge problem since it occupies a niche which doesn't really compete and it is a pretty addition to our flora. Often found in masonry alongside Corydalis lutea, Campanula portenschlagiana and Centranthus ruber.