Morz------thanks so much for the Zimmer information----I'm pretty sure that is what my surgeon will be using----- We didn't learn too much today---It was basically just a talk about what to expect after surgery ---- each case is different so the instructions were pretty general. Carla---I remember when you had your hip done------As I recall you didn't have any problems. Are you still OK ?? My surgery date is Sept. 17------- I've been told that most people who have hip replacement usually need the other hip done. However I have a friend who had THR a few years before I did and so far she has no pain in the other hip---- She is 81 and looks about 60------and moves great. Hopefully this will be a "piece of cake"----LOL I would just as soon never go in a hospital but thank goodness they have all these surgeries ( I had successful back surgery in Nov 2005 ) or I would be in a wheelchair ----- Take Care, Florence

I know this post was written years ago, but I just saw this and had to chime in. I am not an expert gardener and just started growing roses a few years ago. I live in zone 7a (on Long Island). Long Island is known for brutally cold winters with blizzard conditions and disgusting, hot, humid, and rainy summers. I love the color purple, especially lavender and 2 summers ago It seemed Poseidon was sold out everywhere. I went crazy looking for this rose. I finally found it being sold as a bare root online at he White Flower Farm online. I bought it and it was expensive, but I wasn't sorry! It is my most prolific grower and has now ballooned up to at least 7+ foot tall by about 5 1/2 feet across and handles my frigid cold winters like a champ. It blooms prolifically and there seems to never be a time when it is not in bloom. The only thing I hate about it is the blooms don't last long, when it gets really hot some of the blooms fry and if it rains a lot the blooms get a little yucky and ball up a little. However, it is constantly putting out more blooms so that makes up for it. The color is exquisite and I adore it!! It is the only rose bush in my garden that out of 25+ roses, likes my climate and keeps growing until the end of October.

I'd read about volunteers on the antique rose forum and got one this year, have no idea what it will look like. I'm thinking it isn't likely going to be anything I'll want to keep. I get suckers, too, know the difference, and this one is too far away to be a sucker. Thanks for the reminder about winter protecting, wise advice for a young rose although I'm guessing this one is hardy climate wise. Only a couple of my roses set hips, so far anyway. I've no particular desire to grow roses from seed. I think there are some old threads about the best way maybe the propagation forum. I'd rather do cuttings although I only get but a few to root out of every batch I start.

I bought a KO about a month ago. I was in a rush and put the pot in with my planted roses. I totally forgot that I even bought it (never mind water it). A couple of days ago I remembered not planting it and even though the pot was dry as a bone, that little rose was blooming it's heart out. I sure hope it survives z5b winters because I can truly say it survives drought conditions. Marilyn