Hi Jeanne; I haven't replied for a couple days because I have been thinking about your question. Keep in mind that "goldenrod" is a generic term. There are some 75 species in the Solidago genus and another 9 plus in the Oligoneuron family. If you had asked me two weeks ago if Solidago canadenisis was a good nectar plant, I would have said "no". However, over the last week I have seen more things nectaring on it. Not a lot however. I did see tons of things on Stiff leaved goldenrod, Oligoneuron rigidum. However, it seems that these plants have a long period where the flowers are present but not producing nectar. Nectar may be produced for only a week or so. I have been watching them closely on my butterfly surveys and that is what I have been observing. That being said, these are beautiful plants. I would encourage you to look in the Oligoneuron genus. The Riddells (sp) and stiff leaved are beautiful plants and like I said, I think you will see more on them. However, I am still observing! Cheers, Elisabeth

jkayd_il5: glad you enjoy my photos. I'll be posting more as they bloom for me this season. Kathy: Yep, I knew when you started posting photos that mine wouldn't be far behind. I'm pleased with the FFO on AB, just hope the scapes grow up a bit more. :) Ann: Looks as though AB was pretty popular. I think you'll be pleased with it. Bill is very generous isn't he? Rick: Well, I'm not surprised with your potted dl's. You always have good luck with your method. Can't wait till you start posting your beautiful photos. Rita: Thanks Hon, I'll post more when I have them. Should be getting lots of blooms shortly. greenthumbfish: Thanks :) Chris: Thanks. :) I think maybe there was a mistake on the description. None of the photos I've seen of it look orange at all. Julia: LOL..I'll have to wait for more blooms. Got lots of scapes but nothing else blooming except Cosmic Hummingbird which I didn't get an opportunity to make a photo of today. Kay: I love it too, and I think you'll be very pleased with yours. Be sure to post a photo when it blooms. Jan

Having the tomato plants in a 30 gal. pot makes a difference. I'd mobilize that pot so that you can move it into a garage every evening and roll it back out into the sun at mid morning. This may be more work than you want to do but this is only the beginning. In a few weeks you will not have as much sunshine and the fruits will develop more slowly. Many of them may be disfigured by the cool weather during polination and you should cull those to help put more energy into desirable fruits. Plant foliar diseases will also take their toll on your plants in the more humid fall weather. More and more of your time may be devoted to caring to dying plants. I'm going through this with greenhouses so I emphathize with you. Usually around Thanksgiving you get involved with other seasonal distractions and the plants just don't fit in with your plans. But, don't dispair. Seed catalogs are in the mail by then and you can begin planning for an early crop for '08. Take a few notes now of things you would do differently next year.

Very helpful; many thanks. It does sound like LLassie blooms more or less at main rose season. Of the roses listed by Lily and Sheila I only have Crepuscule, but that never struck me as being late, and none of the Austins that I have -though they are different varieties-are late either. Plus I see that the bustopher (great name!) is in z6,so if it opens in May in that area, it ought to be fine in my area. Sheila, how long does Albertine's flowering last? Photos of this rose are luscious, and it's widely offered here in Italy, but I have read that it is one of those ramblers whose flowering is quite brief,which is a thing that I find disappointing( Paul's Himalayan Musk is like that in my climate). And how about Russeliana? That one's been on my wish list for a long time...