nhbabs, I agree mine has to be smaller. I wonder if it's 'Texas Scarlet,' but only assuming it is a "newer" variety as it would have been planted about 10 years ago. The previous owner could have gotten it from old stock, who knows. But, I'm sure it's small, too. Does your smaller one have thorns? Internet searches all say they should have thorns, too. Diggerdee, I'm almost in zone 4, and many people around here plant for zone 4. We're probably much much later than you! My forsythia just finished blooming and the creeping phlox has just finished peak. Still spring blooming here! I pruned the quince quite a bit today. Cut out many dead canes, cut back existing canes. The workers should already have been here, but I'm glad they're late as it gives me time to prepare. Now to figure out where to put it, especially if it can get big! I'm hoping pruning will help it transition better as it will have less plant to try to maintain.

Do a sample in an inconspicuous place (eg. inside a closet).

we did a 6x6 travertine BS, but only on sink wall, not cooktop wall. cooktop wall did granite BS, same as counter. 6x6 is a larger format and IMHO looks so much nicer than a smaller tile....ours is not pink at all, so i guess u have to look around. we had no problem but it seems to be an issue on this forum... we have a very dramatic granite so we liked a quiet, rough looking BS and the un-honed travertine worked well. also, travertine is relatively cheap. some of the tile/glass/stone BS tiles are very expensive, so if that's a concern, travertine is great choice. good luck!!

leela I am awaiting a sample to pour oil on & scour with grease cutter. this will help me decide lol. bdrl I will look for your post. I know, but I plan on degreasing to clean daily. At least I hope to.... from what I understand, the oil doesn't get absorbed into the stone and can be degreased. it will patina around the heavy oil areas like the cooktop, but should be able to blend well if I use a degreasing agent. I will test my sample when I get it. I have other soapstone that I used dish soap to clean it, and although not as light as unoiled, the oil spot fades pretty much with dish soap cleaning. mamagoose, love that mock up! thanks! All the way to the ceiling baby! Hood will actually be touching the ceiling, so I have to go all the way.