Let's move this right on down the line.

I live in east Texas, 2 hours from Houston. After spotting this bug at night while I was outside near some lights, I found that the June Bug, which is common in our area this time of year, was the culprit who had been chewing on my roses. I use an insecticidal soap spray, cant recall who makes it, but you can get it at Walmart, Lowes. Spray on buds, leaves - this should stop whatever is chewing. As for wilt, the above posts are correct. If you have just planted your roses, they may exhibit wilt for a few days - just keep them well watered - and make sure you didnt plant in a hole that retains water - this can make them wilt. I read on the forum that it is really good to disbud for awhile, let the roses work on growing roots, not blooming. I now disbud all my newly planted roses for a couple of months. Maybe even prune them back a bit so less plant to have to keep moist. I usually prune my roses back a bit before planting. Also, just the heat itself might make them wilt until they get established. Just give them some time, they will probably be fine. Good luck! Judith

Oh I just love your Beary Berry Iris!!!! I would buy that in an instant if I could find it and if it grew here. What a stunner!!! Shockwave is such an intense yellow!!! Love it!! Shadow Dancer is so unique for a striped. Lovely!! Perfume Tiger reminds me of my Julio Iglesias - same shade of pink. Again, lovely!! :) I love Smokin Hot - I've come to realize that I really like the lighter reverse roses. Brooks Red is my fav of your roses!!! Oh my!!! The color is similar to Chicago Peace. Oh my!!! Carol

Henry, A dead rat looks realistic for the condition it is in, too. Many of the Earth-Kind roses are, and this is my OPINION only (please don't beat me over the head with a rose cane as Chris, from New Flora, likes to do when I express my opinion/personal experience), not very disease resistant, and certainly not in the least winter hardy in Portland, Maine. Any novice rose gardener would know about winter hardiness, especially in Portland, ME. Where is/was the local ARS Chapter/ Rose Club to help out? Who ever was in charge of the whole idea of devoting an entire public rose garden, capable of holding 600 roses, to a years long test of just 61 bushes (3 each of 21 Earth-Kind varieties), did not make a wise move. Test the E-K roses in a secluded spot, and plant annuals in the rose beds for the duration of the test. At least the public will have something beautiful to stroll through. The Karl Switzer Rose Circle, I am certain, used to be a magnificent sight. Now look at it, pitiful. I think it has fallen victim to one or all of the following: political correctness, green-earthers, decision by committee, or the creeping laziness many Americans are exhibiting more and more. Expecting even tough roses to thrive and flourish with no: dead heading, annual pruning, watering, fertilizing, etc., is a Utopian's dream, not reality. When you give little, get get little. I am approaching the Karl Switzer Rose Circle from the standpoint of a visitor to the garden today. I am willing to bet that 99 visitors out of 100 visitors to the garden would call it, "dismal," too. The one visitor who would have no negative comment to voice would be someone's Poodle, on a leash, of course. Moses