Question: is it the COLD wet that makes them ball? They seem to handle HOT wet quite well. Of course, a downpour will mess them up pretty bad and cause them to hang their heads from the weight (not unusual, I guess, for any flower). And there seems to be a point in the bud development when, if we have rain, the bud will not open - doesn't happen often. Sammy, 9 SdlM's is definitely something to strive for in my garden. Mine would have to be in groupings - no room to spread them out. Wow, just imagine a bank of them blooming all summer. Hmmm, something to keep in mind in case of future failure(s). I have 3 plants, and 2 will soon be neighbors. I have MB & CDdG next to each other, hopefully in enough sun for their liking, but if they have to be moved that might be a good thing, right? Suzy, I wish I could "send" you some heat or "attach" it to my photos. To show how amazing this rose is here, even my Louis Philippe, aka The Florida Rose, took a break from blooming in August. I noticed this morning it suddenly has flower buds & lots of new leaves from all the rain we've had this week, but SdlM has kept pumping out her voluptuous fragrant flowers that even now are darker pink in the center, fading to pale pink at the edges - just lovely. (I wish I'd taken a picture.) Location, location, location! Your "bland and vague rose with messy petal formations, tendency to age nastily and, on top of everything, is a disease magnet" is not the rose I grow. Come ahead to Florida (Ocala) anytime. You'll at least have no hotel bill and no "little britain". But I imagine with a grandbaby coming that won't be soon! Michael, I've seen a very mature SdlM with hugely thick canes (maybe the climber) that was as tall as I am. I certainly hope 4x4 is a comfortable size for them here. Sherry

I have several divisions of each of these. Looking for other hostas or something from my wants list. thanks, Louise

#@*% Damn wabbits will eat them down to the base, or take big chunks out of the newly emerging growth. A nearby chippie hole might just be a coincidence (or not). Squirrels and rabbits will chew the new growth for the moisture content if there is drought in the spring. (Guess who needs rain right now?) The birds are draining the birdbaths. I've been putting out containers with water in them on the ground for the rodents. I see the squirrels drinking from the dishes. Mr. Rabbit continues to make midnight dinner raids on my hostas, however. Almost stepped on one the other night in my daylily bed.

Beautiful picture! That is really a very pretty shade of yellow.