Marnielee: My inclination in a 5b climate would be Gala, since Fuji is a later ripening apple that may not quite make it in your short growing season. But there are Fujis and there are Fujis, and some of the sports now available ripen two weeks or more earlier than the original type. The best info on these varieties would come from a professional grower like Geraldo in WA, who actually understands the differences among them. I know there is one called Auvil Fuji that is earlier, and there are no doubt others. One that sticks in my mind is September something-or-other. I have both Fuji (an old original type, Nagafu #6) here, and also one of the older strains of Gala (Royal Gala). The Fuji is a marvelous keeper, but much also depends on the conditions in which it (or any other apple) is kept. If you have a spare refrigerator in your basement, and bag your apples to retain some humidity in the refrigerated environment, you can indeed keep them into March or even longer. But they won't keep that long in a basket, even in a cool basement. Do a little research by visiting nursery websites and see if you can find the different cultivars of these apple varieties that are now available. You might find something you like, and you would certainly add to your knowledge. It is always helpful to include your actual location in a question of this nature. Usually, that will get you better and more focused responses. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA.

I cannot answer your question specifically, as I do not grow any of the clematis you have mentioned. Perhaps someone with experience with those varieties will add their opinion for how they would perform in your hot climate. I do have another suggestion though. Silver Star Vinery has a new viticella hybrid named John Howells, after the man who wrote one of my favorite clematis books: "Trouble-Free Clematis: the Viticellas". Viticella hybrids are known for being more heat tolerant. I added John Howells to my garden this past November, and it has just opened its first flowers this week. They have a velvetly texture and a white reverse, although the flowers would be smaller than the others you were considering. I've included a link to Silver Star Vinery's "J" page - you need to scroll down the page to see the photo. I think their photo looks pinker than the flowers on my plant - I don't know if this is from different growing conditions or just a problem of the camera accurately capturing the color. I am not aware that anyone else is currently carrying this clematis yet. It was raised by Wim Snoeijer who also raised Inspiration, Little Bas and Mienie Belle - all of which do really well for me. Here is a link that might be useful: John Howells at Silver Star Vinery

Okay, Smith Red Valencia is frequently available - I would try calling around your local larger garden centers. Usually Walter Andersen Nursery in Poway or San Diego has it or can get it, same with Armstrong Nurseries - they can usually find one for you. Not sure if Clausen's has them, you can try calling them to see. Lee x Nova is carried by Walter Andersen in Poway, that's where I got mine. Valentine is propagated by Durling Nursery in La Paz/Fallbrook. That is a HOOF, let me tell you, but they do deliver, and frankly, it's worth the delivery charge as they are way, way the heck west of Fallbrook literally out in the middle of nowhere (almost up against the east side of Camp Pendelton). You can also ask them if they ship their Valentine's to a nursery close to you, and possibly set up a special order with your local nursery through Durling's. CCPP allows you to order budwood. You would have to know how to cleft of bud graft, you would have to purchase rootstock, and you'd have to have the ability to keep your grafted trees in a moist environment. Citrus grafting is a little trickier than, say, stone fruit grafting. And, there is a wait of several years before you would see a tree large enough to support fruit. Patty S.

You'll never keep a beefsteak or 'Brandywine' in a cage unless it is a super-duper heavy-duty cage. Nonetheless, a recent Mother Earth News had an article that addressed this very question. That is: you should ask the locals, as climate matters. And I agree with ribbit that the yields on 'Brandywine' are sketchy. And when I lived in Sacto. 'Green Grape' produced for months and the taste when picked green-ish was different than yellow-brown-ish so it was like having two plants. Dan