The big box stores in general are pretty bad in keeping things appropriate to the location. Every year, they get those god-awful little sad sticks in boxes brought in during February, when we have 2 1/2 months before it would be safe to plant them out here in Michigan. And invariably, they have cultivars like Thompson Seedless grapes that can't possibly survive here. I've also seen other gems like rabbiteye blueberries, fuzzy kiwi, etc. Mind you, as someone willing to try via "extraordinary techniques" to overwinter out of zone plants, I find it interesting, but its bad and deceptive for the novice who doesn't know the difference. As far as the enormous operations that supply plants for the big-box stores, I find it fascinating that they have such complex systems set up, yet can't manage to find enough people to unload, unpack, water, and properly care for these plants once they arrive at your local Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowe's,, etc. I always wondered how they made ANY profit at all, given the high cost of inputs such as energy, when they are all paid essentially on commission under these pay-by-scanned-sales programs, and so much of the plant material dies in the retail outlet due to abuse, neglect, and just plain market saturation beyond all reasonable ability to sell it all. But, they must, or it wouldn't happen. I guess the good side -- some of these places, particularly Lowe's, are pretty good about marking things down dramatically to move them -- I get good bargains on things all the time. Best was a few years back at the end of season at my local Home Depot, when they got down to the "everything in small pots is $0.50, everything in medium pots is $1, and everything larger is $2" by Halloween -- I ended up getting several cartloads of nice nursery stock for next to nothing -- Buddleia, crabapples, maples, all kinds of things. Best was a grafted dwarf mounding blue spruce, original price $80, for $2.

I'm Delighted With My Double Delight... She's showing me her true colors this year, pun intended...lol Yes, she still gets blackspot but as long as I keep spraying, she doesn't give me too much grief. I just love her look and the scent of the blooms are to die for. The plant doesn't grow leggy like some other ones and the height is right where I want it so I don't need a ladder to get a whiff of her sweetm spicy smelling blooms. I can see why this rose is a winner of many awards:)

The only new intro for 2006, that I am aware of, is 'Blushing Bride', an ES variant. It joins the list of currently available "remondent" cultivars, ES, Penny Mac, David Ramsey, Decatur Blue and Oak Hill(which is the only one of the group, other than ES, that flowered on new wood in my garden this year. Both are still in bloom. ES still has many buds, but they will be history after the first freeze. For Lace-caps, have only 3 that set scattered buds and flowers on new growth, 2 are H. serrata's, 'Shichidanka' and an un-named cultivar grown from cuttings provided by Cristopher Lloyd(UK)(the Plantsman, not the Actor!) and H. mac. 'Madame Emile Mouillere'. Yep, I have one that has (both) white mops and blue L-C's on the same plant. Something in the water? soil? Can't be soil ammendments or fertilizer, I don't use either on my Hydrangeas.Must be in the Genes. Rb

The riverbank is a 20 foot drop and we have in the past had many accidents so i decided to plant along the edge so we do not have to mow. When I receive or identify many NOIDs when they bloom, I usually try to fill the top of the bank till I can identify them. The bank has 60 peonies plants across the garden, many will go into first bloom this year. Hope to get some new pictures this year. So I do not mind buying iris for discount prices knowing they may be incorrect according to what the package states. Yet, when I pay good money for a so-called named iris, I really would love it to bloom correctly. Love them all.I have included an evening picture on the riverbank.