How could I forget Just Joey and Tamora? I am getting Just Joey [also Brandy and Medallion] next weekend when I make my yearly pilgrimage to Robertsons Nursery near Houston - he doesnt ship, has the biggest, healthiest potted roses I have ever seen. I always come home with more than I need.... Brandy....a lot of these roses on my list are ones I have ordered for spring and havent grown yet. One that is currently growing for me that has had not one instance of blackspot is Vesper. I dont hear it mentioned much, but its a great little rose, very healthy. Its own root, and think it would do well in a pot. I am in east Texas, and it definitely heats up in the summer here. But I water constantly and spray fairly consistently so dont have too many problems. I dont really seem to have too many blackspot problems with the apricots that I grow - perhaps because I spray. I dont spray the rugosa Vanguard because rugosas dont like it. Ceterum, I have Versigny on order from Roses Unlimited. They unfailingly send great plants! Photos look gorgeous on this one, cant wait to see it bloom! As for the ones being the most orange, I think Pat Austin and Lady Emma Hamilton [on order for spring], Orange Ruffles and Anne Harkness would be. Apricot can be so many different shades - from a light, pale color to one with a yellowish tint to just a shade off orange. One I didnt list that is between apricot and orange is Lillian, from Roses Unlimited. It has a ruffled bloom, very pretty color. Dont hear this one discussed, but I like it. I like my apricots to be pure, no yellow - like Fragrant Apricot, Just Joey. Oh, and I left Evelyn off the list.....she is still in a pot, I understand she is a bit of a diva, so am still contemplating the perfect spot for her. She has a divine scent and a beautiful bloom. Another apricot shaded one I adore is Tahitian Sunset. I didnt care for it from the photos when it first came out, but when I saw it blooming at Chamblees, I zeroed in on it, was surprised to find it was this rose. The photos dont begin to do it justice, its one of my favorites. I have a long bed in the backyard that I am going to fill with apricot and mauves.....and edge with white, lavender and apricot periwinkles for summer. And am planning a formal bed with 4 beds surrounding a Knockout tree rose and will do one section of that in apricot, purple and mauves. Cant get enough of this beautiful color!! Would love to hear comments on other apricots being grown. Judith

You all are so kind Mary- that huge shrub is a rhody.. starting to bloom right now- let's pray all this rain doesnt dash it all to bits this year! I hate that. Gotta Garden.. yes- I am goign to try the larger rocks when i get a chance :) You all can notice the difference? I look at these pics and think- gosh for all that work- it doenst show much of a change! :( Msscarlet- thank you for thinking my home is pretty. It's a little hosue- but i think it's kinda cute.. and i hope i get the cottagey feel across. I hear what you're saying about that blue spruce that blocks the view. it will only get bigger too... but here's the thing.. getting rid of that ONE might not make a difference- as you cna see in the pic- there is a HUGE one next to it and and even bigger one next to that one!!! haha. at first i hated them but I am rather attached to them now.. and this small one is the only one i can attempt to decorate for christmas. haha PLUS- there is actually a VAST amount of space betwee that spruce and the first corner bed by the house.. the angle the photo was taken at it straight one.. but coming from the other direction yu can actually see th ewhoel house.. i'll try to take different shtos for you guys and you can tell me what you think. Now Gladno1.. yours is the silliest question..hahahakeep bermuda grass out of my beds? You make me laugh!are you kidding me? what do you think i do all spring- march to may!! I dig out all the bermuda grass and re-edge my gardens.. it's horrendous. if anyone knows any trick- please tell me.. but i'm with you gladno.. this stuff is eveil. the only good thing is that it requires no water and stays short in summer and crowds out the weeds. however- it is EATING my driveway too.. can you believe it??!!! now you know why i need hired help right? all my energy goes into keepig bermuda grass out of my beds. haha

I am by no means the 'perfect realtor' if there is such a thing. No files on client's likes and dislikes - I listen to what they are looking for and then show them things which I think will appeal. Of course I keep an eye on the 'new listings' every day on the MLS and if there is anything new that meets requirements then I forward it to my clients. That seems like a very obvious step. Most agents also go to Broker's Open Houses or "caravans' as you call it - at least in my area. That's normally the extent of my previewing (unless I have a client looking for something VERY specific who lives out of town). Otherwise the buyer and I work together to chose which listings to view from the selection I have sent and off we go. The more we see, the more I get a feel for what they want. Then I help them decide on an offering strategy and help them locate attorney/ inspector etc. I negotiate the offer and assist with everything through closing (and often beyond). Some clients end up as personal friends and I work primarily from referral from previous clients. Most (but not all) agents in my office work on a similar basis, go to the broker's open houses and e.mail out new listings. None of that is what makes a great realtor in my opinion - that should be a given. I think the real talent is in the negotiating and in giving people advice based on what you would do if it were you in their shoes. I never advise anyone to do anything that I wouldn't consider doing myself. I am well educated as are many of my colleagues and like most of them I would not go back into a 9 to 5 job unless I had no other choice. I do not think I am that unusual at all in those respects. I see the odd terrible agent here, but they are the exeption, not the rule. I find the comments qdognj pretty offensive - whoever qdognj is sounds like a pretty sad and pathetic person. I simply cannot imagine saying some of the things that he/she has said about another person's chosen occupation.

I can't wait to see pictures of Maggie. Love the name. If you wanted to try another DA rose, I have had great success with Pretty Jessica which laughs at the heat, is upright and stays small but tall for a DA rose. I would say mine is about two to three feet wide, if that and about four to five feet tall. Constant bloomer. Next one would be Princess Alexandra of Kent but give her room to grow. She is a beaut! Flowers bigger than my hand in spring and fall. Smaller flowers in the heat. She takes a beating and keeps on ticking! Next would be Munstead Wood. Love, love, loveo him. He also takes the heat. All three have to be the best DA roses I have seen for the heat. Now, that being said, my first timer roses that have been in the ground about six months (if that) and on their own roots, that seem to be doing pretty well for me are also Lady of Shalott and Alwick. They are both babies and being subject to full sun all day long and until this week, 100--110 degree heat. Both are producing sporadically with tiny flowers but their leaves look good and they are continuing to put on new growth. I think once they get established in a couple of years, they will be fine. I hope Lady's flowers tone down the orange a bit in the future. Another rose, still very young and on its own root that seems to be doing well is Occhi di Fata. It is starting to put out a few more blooms and the growth is good. It is a charming rose and I hope for great things in the future.