Jo, I adore Annie’s! I wish I could shop there in person, instead of mail order, but maybe it’s a good thing I can’t. I have loads to plant, more than the energy to do so. I don’t know what I was thinking. It sounds so easy to plop them in, but I always run into some delay. There are roots, someone is coming to install the drip system, I don’t have enough compost, or I’m struck with fatigue for a week a week or two straight. All I can do then, is water them and wait for it to pass. There’s too much lag time. I order when I’m feeling well, and by the time they arrive, I might not be. I’ll never learn, but I do like having my own little nursery to shop from, when I’m up to planting things. It’s needing to use gopher cages that adds so much work to everything. The white flowers with the sweet peas are the wild Petunia axillaris. I bought one from Annie’s years ago, and it has seeded around. It smells wonderful at night. The ones in full sun will soon suffer, so I usually pull them out when the sweet peas are spent. The ones that have sown themselves in shade look nice all summer. It’s perennial here, but since it self sows, I pull some and leave some. It doesn’t mound like a regular Petunia. Petunia axillaris will climb and weave 3-4 feet. It’s not a major pain reseeder, just a few here and there. I’ve only had it for 3-4 years, though. I’m beginning to learn that what I think is a “polite” reseeding plant the first year or two, can become much more aggressive when there are more of them flinging their seeds about. I thinking about that Cerinthe, right now. I’m not always good about removing the extras. Mr. Moses, thank you! Cafe Olé is doing well, and I have a pair of buds on one of the Little Gray Pearls, as well. I know I should pinch them of, but I’d like to see them first. I haven’t ordered the ornamental oregano, because a local nursery has promised they would have it in soon. It might have been better to order it though, I am such a homebody that I seldom leave. It’s far more economical to buy it locally. The containers look rather naked without any companion plants. I did toss a few seeds from a geranium, ‘Bill Wallis’ in with Cafe Olé, and I see a plant coming up. I’m excited to hear that you’re about to start warming up! It is funny that the minis are so hardy! I wasn’t aware of that. Of course, I never even look at winter hardiness when selecting plants, only heat tolerance. It’s a whole different ballgame, isn’t it? I still wish there was someone who would come take some pictures of your roses and post them for you. You’ve always been such a wonderful help, not just to me, but to many. I’ll bet your roses are lovely. You are wonderful with words, though and we can almost see them from your descriptions. Lisa

I grew Versigny twice in my zone 5a. The most it can survive is 3 winters, and Cynthia (Nippstress in zone 5, loamy Nebraska) grew Versigny several times and it didn't last long for her either. Vesigny didn't last long for Floweraremusic (zone 5 WA alkaline clay). Paul Bocuse is more vigorous than Versigny for Floweraremusic in her dense clay & drier climate. Was it worth it after it died twice in my zone 5a? Yes, Versigny has the BEST FRUITY scent ever among my 150+ fragrant roses. When I grew it in my alkaline clay back in 2013, the scent is pure heaven: delicious apricot pie and delightful floral, better than Evelyn. Later on My 2nd Versigny near the rain-spout with more acidic clay: that lessened its fruity scent. The only 3 scents that made me exclaimed: "WOW !! this is heaven" are Versigny, Mirandy, and Yolande d'Aargon. Versigny is orange in my black-gumbo and dense clay, rather than peachy-pink: I also have Augusta Luis (less petals) and blooms smell moderate fruity (like a ripe nectarine). Versigny smells far better than Augusta Luis and I prefer Versigny scent over Evelyn and Jude the Obscure. Versigny scent is like inhaling apricot nectar, eating a delicious apricot pie, and being in heaven with roses.

Sherry, I think I remember your discussion about Indian Giver reblooming last year because I was thinking at the time that mine had never rebloomed! Julia, I am knocking on wood as I write but so far the Liquid Fence granules appear to be working! Fingers crossed for next year! Mantis, I can honestly say that is one of two grass and weed free beds. I would be embarrassed to show the weeds in my other beds! After all our rain this summer, it has been a fight I lost long ago! Here is Memphis today after a warm day-showing the ruffles although faded color.

Looks great, Sueb! I know what you mean about needing greenery at this time of year. I save my amaryllis bulbs to bloom *after* the holidays, in addition to all the other houseplants around here. I also have two fake Ikea orchids that look quite real, one is in a bathroom without much light. American fashion/design maven Amanda Brooks who moved to the UK with her family got two fake amaryllises from ebay for her mantel about 6 years ago. She wrote, "Confession: I bought fake amaryllis' for the TV room. Nothing stays alive in here - I tried everything but there's just not enough light. I was worried that [my husband] would be horrified but then he tried to water them!" https://www.instagram.com/p/9qrP7-oDGl/?epik=dj0yJnU9TlU0dmhZMWhBOHExV3ljV3JhS0haVVF4RGFpcEx4dXUmcD0wJm49OGlMUmZnZ2dSWkR5Q0U5LWc0UU0xUSZ0PUFBQUFBR0hYY2Iw