Oh my, sorry to hear about the ankle. Ouch! I live in zone 5 in Omaha, NE, but I grew up in NW Iowa. I am guessing you have rich black dirt. I was so surprised moving to NE to learn that not everyone has that pretty dirt...lots of clay in the soil here & it is orange/brown. What part of NW IA are you in? I grow Distant Drums, had 2 but lost one over the winter a few years back. I think it may be one that isn't as hardy. I also have Country Dancer. It has thrived and is about 4 foot wide and 3 foot tall right now...It is about 8-9 years old. Most of my roses are grafted and I plant the graft deeply (got that great advice here). I have around 75-80 roses. I usually lose about one a year, though this year we had such a mild winter, they all did very well. I don't do a lot to winter protect with so many roses. I generally let the oak leaves blow around them & call it good. Of course I will baby a few of my absolute favorites! But if you only have a few, I would mound up dirt around the base in the fall.

I tried my best to window shop but left with a tri-branch plumie cutting. It blooms light pink and has light fragrance to match. I looked like the statue of liberty, tho, walking around with my "torch". Lots of beautiful desert rose, orchids and bromeliads. If you go, say hi to trini(not gemini)at her booth!

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In addition to the sales April 26, and May 9-11, there is a sale May 4 at the Earth Center which is the home of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. They also have some wonderful gardens worth looking at. EARTH Center Plant Sale Date: 5/4/2008 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Middlesex County EARTH Center, Davidsons Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave South Brunswick, NJ Speaker: Middlesex County Master Gardeners Description: Dont miss your chance to buy your summer gardener starter plants from the Middlesex County Master Gardeners at their headquarters, the EARTH Center. The enormous selection of plants includes (but is not limited to) heirloom tomatoes, unusual varieties of perennials & annuals, flowering vines, ornamental grasses and dozens of types of vegetables for your gardens. Feel free to bring a wagon or small cart to transport you purchases. You can get a glimpse at the EARTH Centers various demonstration areas while you are there. There will be a special Mothers Day gift making event for the kids as well for a small fee. Dont miss it ! (Raindate May 10) Cost: FREE Sponsor(s): Middlesex County Master Gardeners Contact: Denise, 732 398 5262 http://events.rutgers.edu/njaes/event.asp?id=11231&d=200805&u=all&c=m2 ellen