Building on the Comtesse's thread, I was wondering: mightn't a hedge of rosemary be more feasible? not that the rabbits would eat it, but I have heard that grazing-types animals prefer to avoid places with a lot of rosemary; it's scent ,if planted in abundance, is strong and masks the scent of the predators,so animals that tend to wind up as being preyed on don't want to stick around too long, since it inhibits their self-defense. I use rosemary a lot, meself; I have even noticed that it does have some deterrant effect,though it's no magic solution. My experience: I planted a Cedrus deodara in an un-fenced-against- deer area,protected only by a large neighbouring rosemary, and the beasties did leave it alone for it's first years. Now, last winter, they DID get to it ;I was afraid I'd lost it, they damaged it so badly, but when I finally got down there I saw it was re-sprouting nicely from the base. At that point I put a cage around it, of course. So, you say, silly bart, it didn't work. Well, yes, it sort of did and didn't. We all know that if pressure is too great, deer will eat anything,and they get used to certain deterrants in time ,etc, etc, etc. But I did buy some time for myself and the tree. It may well have been far more effective if there were more rosemarys around, forming a hedge; I have noticed in other cases that a nearby rosemary does tend to make a given plant less of a target for grazing. Besides, rabbits are not deer-they'd find the rosemary branches right in their faces. Rosemary also would not require much in the way of soil preparation, either, or watering. For what it's worth, my aim is to eventually surround the entire perimeter of my large garden with these attractive, no-care evergreen shrubs; it'll take a lot of time, probably, since I only put in a few plants each year,but as I say, I think it does help. It's just part of an IPM program to help keep mammal pests down; it's not "the" solution.

The Goatweed Leafwing looks like the right shape and color, but I can't find any reference to them living this far up the east coast, but they are found in Virginia and that's just a couple hours away. Kind of a stretch though but it had been an exceptionally mild winter. The description of their flight pattern matches too. I had thought maybe Viceroy or Mourning Cloak too but they don't seem quite right. The wings look more curved than what I saw but then again it happened so fast. Although they are more than welcome to come to my yard and prove me wrong! I saw it again in my neighbor's yard and just could not get to my camera in time. So frustrating! The color was the same, red like a maple leaf in autumn. Very pretty. I'll just keep stalking the yard!!!

The middle one looks tremendously like Russian Rhapsody, it definitely isn't Trahlyta. The others could be any number of cultivars...it's hard to ID them there are so many similar. I have Leah Abbott and don't think that the last one is anything like her. For comparison, here's Trahlyta, Russian Rhapsody, and Leah Abbott all photos taken in my garden. Jan

Crzy4flowers, your roses and gardens are lovely. Georgia is a great state. I grew up there. Pelicanhead, if you are going to Rincon, Ga, and have seen Savannah, take a trip to Charleston,S.C. I would say points in between but you can easily spend two weeks in Charleston and barely scrape the surface. The Gardens on the Ashely River are so beautiful, especially in late winter and spring. Weather will be very hot and humid in late summer with ocean breezes. DH and I both went to college there and later lived there for time. It is still our favorite place to visit. Also during school year, the dress parades at the Citadel on Friday afternoons are a must see. Enjoy the lovely South. Lynn