I do have experience with this rose. If you're specifically looking for a dependably reblooming rose this isn't for you (since the very few flowers it has when it reblooms in late summer don't make a big enough display to really bother with), but it is nearly thornless and when it blooms in late spring/early summer it's spectacular! I grow it as an informal free standing shrub rather than a climber and grown that way it much resembles a hybrid musk. It takes on a sort of "fountain" appearance, with the canes growing about 5' high before arching over and down. I also don't fertilize it, so it's doing that without "help". It gets about 5' X 7' (or 8') when grown this way. It also sends out longer canes after the flush, but they are easily trimmed back to more fit the overall shrub appearance if the space where you want it is more confined. It also would easily make a nice informal climber for a 5' high wall without much training or serious pruning. I live on the ocean north of Boston. It gets powdery mildew in late summer sometimes, but this climate encourages that then (humid, warm days, cool nights). Oh, one other thing. I've lived here since 1999, and it was already on the property. It was in a very shaded area (for a rose), so I got permission to move it to a sunnier one. It's much happier now, but it had been in the previous location for quite a while. When I moved it I had to dig out a big taproot!

No- I do not believe it is too late when they do a poor or incomplete job. Your electric company (who hired the tree service) should foot the bill to remove them completely- and maybe even replace them. Unless you signed a form allowing them access to do what ever they like to that specific area. I know we had to sign a form to allow them to cut- and we were given the option of how much to cut- branches that posed a problem (clearly outlined in the form) or whole tree removal- they did not "do " stumps. I would look into your options (laws in your area) a bit more carefully, and have a go at em! You could also ask around and see if any others had the same or similar problems in your area- usually if they botched one job there is a whole string of "errors" and approach the electric company "en-mass". They do have the right and responsibility to "protect" the electric wires and service to those whom they serve- but they do not have the right to damage your property with impunity- unless you signed away those rights. On another note- there are several dwarf and mid range growing evergreens to choose from for all season admiring- LeftWood and other conifer lovers might be able to point you in the right direction to find out about these options. And yet another note.... No flowers in the shrub bed?? You keep on WinterSowing and swapping for seeds- and believe me- no place will be free of flowers!! Shrubs and hedges are the perfect foil for perennials and blooms..... Those that I mentioned could be just plunked in and left to their own devises. They are hardy buggers and will do just fine by themselves after they settle in a bit. Plant them on "your" side so you can enjoy them- maybe even toss in some sedum- the black and chartreuse ones..... I have seeds of "Purple Emperor"- and they winter sow real well! Nudge Nudge, wink wink- And some poppy seeds too- Oh and how about some belemcanda/Black Berry lilies to toss into the mix.... They all winter sow real well..... Need a few more seeds??? Well, good luck with the hedges- and the electric company- and wintersowing! Julie

I tried for the first time last year. I started the seed in February and transplanted it out at the same time as I my tomatoes (early May). The vine grew and fruited okay through August but never set fruit. The same vine sets male and female flowers and the flowers open at night. It seemed like there were not enough pollinators to transfer the pollen; I am going to try growing it again this year and attempt pollination myself. As I did not have any fruit set, I cannot unfortunately tell you if it would have ripened or not in the Western Washington climate. I can tell you that given light and warmth it is a vigorous vine. It probably needs more warmth at night than the climate here can give it; if you can grow it in a (really big) container and grow it in full sun and yet keep in sheltered at night it might do well. I was growing it in a raised bed and the root system was not super extensive after a full growing season - container growing (5 gallon worth) might work and

As to the seed age, I would assume that they were from last year's crop, since TomaoFest sells so much seed **** Although I have nothing specific to say about Tomatofest I wouldn't assume that most places do use seed from the previous year. Gary lists about 600 varieties and there's no way he's going to have seed produced from all of them every year for the simple reason that sales of all varieties are not equal re sales/demand. The freshest seed I know of is sold by Sandhill Preservation where no tomato seeds over two years old are sold. Carolyn