I have Coquette des Blanches, Magenta and Taischa. CdB is a very beautiful rose. Not white as advertised though. More of a pale pink but as you can see from Jeri's pic that doesn't detract from the attractiveness of the bloom. Fragrance is sweet and pervasive. Now if you want pure white then plant Boule de Neige. Magenta and Taischa have both been disappointing. Each is on their forth year own root and have yet to top 1 foot. I'm not kidding. If I didn't know better I'd think they were miniatures. Magenta's flower are sort ho-hum for a mauve rose. I guess having REINE DES VIOLETTES has spoiled me. The dusky mauve color is rather "flat" in my opinion. As soon as I find the time she is getting replaced by PRETTY JESSICA. TAISCHA on-the-other-hand has flowers that make my jaw drop. They are so beautiful it is impossible to describe adequately but I shall try. Tightly quartered in the middle but with a starry outline in the outer petals, a flower formation that reminds me of some of the older Tea roses. Color is this gorgous shade of lilac. Yes real true "lilac", not mauve nor cool pink or lavender. I define lilac as an equal mix of clear pink and lavender. The fragrance is identical to Sterling Silver. Absolutely stratospheric in both strength and complexity. If she doesn't do better this summer then I'm going to move her to a pot so I can provide maximum coddling. Some roses have flowers that are so beautiful that they are worth diva treatment. Taischa is one of those roses. The picture in the link below is very true to the actual rose. The few flowers I've gotten from Taischa have looked just like the rose in the pic, but only about half the size. Here is a link that might be useful: TAISCHA at HelpMeFind Roses

Thanks so much for the responses. sprout I had no idea Milorganite could double as a repellant! I've been shaving Irish Spring soap around the yard and hanging mesh bags of it from hydrangeas and climbing roses with some success. Just bught a scarecrow sprinkler and hope to set it up this weekend. Papou thanks for the information on sun. Some of mine were burning (maybe from the sudden change?) and had to be moved but I probably did take it to an extreme. Slugs have not been an issue for me so far (knock wood!) but it would be good to strive for slug free varieties when I buy more. I don't think I've seen that designation on plant tags though - is that something only specialty hosta growers would provide? jbranch that's a wonderful link - thanks so much - in my favorites already. Clearing out a crowded garden should be no different than clearing out a crowded closet. I regularly purge closets and drawers and call Purple Heart - I need the same approach in my yard. Thanks for that nudge!

Cut and paste this link.... it should be there: http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fan2011183mo1.jpg (didn't want to put it on this site since I'm not the owner of it so it violates terms of service). thanks!

See if your County Master Gardeners offers a pruning class (likely start in jan-feb) When in doubt leave it alone. You don't cut branches flush but a bit higher above the branch collar which those publications you have should show you and you should be able to clearly see. Prune the easy stuff: Any suckers coming from the ground or at or below the graft point (if you can determine that in a mature tree). Any two feet from the ground is a safe bet anyway and who needs branches that low no matter what it is? Prune all waterspouts: branches growing upright off of other branches. Look for any diseased or damaged branches and remove them. Look for crossing branches. They can rub against each other causing mutual damage. Pick one and remove it. Do not pick short stuff, spindly stuff as it likely is fruiting wood and if it isn't leaving it won't hurt. Done.