Jackson and Perkins, IMHO, is a model for what went wrong with the rose industry. I don't blame only them for this, but they were the "face" of roses for decades in this nation, and they were responsible for leadership (or a lack of it.) The public perception that "roses are hard to grow" (at least any rose aside from Knockouts) is a direct result of years of trading research and honest effort in for marketing and making a quick buck. There is no excuse for the endless parade of hybrid teas that fall victim to blackspot, the claims of "hardiness" from roses that are not at all hardy in cold climates, or even the lack of own-root roses or alternate root stocks. I can forgive a company for trying to introduce new products vs. just selling classic, unpatented rose varieties, but when the new roses have the same problems year after year for decades, that just points to a complete failure on the part of the company. People have put up with much more nonsense from rose sellers than they have with almost any other garden product: "hardy" roses that are not, "disease resistant roses" that fail to resist any real disease, and so on. Is it really any wonder that the Knockout roses have so effectively replaced all other roses? Why? Because they actually deliver what is promised, and most folks are so shocked by that concept - a rose that actually grows as advertised - that they will only buy that variety for fear of being lied to yet again. While Jackson and Perkins may have at one time been a boon to the industry, they ended up being a perfect example of what went wrong: marketing trumped quality, and we were all left with dead, black-spot covered roses as the result.

We bought and had installed approximately 1,000 sq ft of Puresque carpet 6 months ago. We bought this brand based on the marketing that it eliminates odors - important to us with 4 dogs. It has been the worst investment in our home ever. While odors are no longer a problems, stains are almost untreatable. The carpet seems to just hang on to standard everyday stains that no other carpet ever has. We have had it professional cleaned 2 times by our trusted carpet cleaner we have been using for 15 years. This product just does not clean well. In addition, it has seriously snagged in multiple places and runs and unravels like a sweater. We have several "bald" spots now even though we have knotted off the unraveling spots as we find them. We plan on replacing this costly disappointment as soon as possible. We would never recommend this product.

Connie Can't Have It has never done anything here, so Connie can have it as far as I am concerned. Sometimes, things actually do better north of here, but we certainly have snow cover now. Change of Heart --I think this is a super plant. Of course, it grows at the estate where it gets lots of sun. Very reliable. Comanche Drums Catastrophe Waitress --doesn't like hot sun Cup of Cold Water --not a fast increaser Christopher Hitchens --lovely, but moderate increase. Nice later one, but could be a tad taller. Cherokee Star --good grower and brilliant in late midseason Cloud Rider --has grown from a single fan Clash of Absolutes --excellent color, but plant not so good Cradle of Bethlehem --Got a bad plant years ago, but is now showing its stuff. I was surprised. Carrick Wildon --very bright Carolina Dale --stands out in garden, but bud count won't leave you breathless Curtis Montgomery --will probably not amount to much here. It took a long time just to bloom. Chicago Girls --pictured in a pot; too early to evaluate in ground, I got it later as I am not on the A (or B) list. Caribbean Whipped Cream --short, but such a welcome sight in the earlier garden. Cedar Waxwing --simple but alluring, so it has managed to stay around. Crystal Castles Cancun Candy --picture from 2020. Not so nice this year. I fear it may be an evergreen that deteriorates. Crintonic Beautiful Day I am liking more each year Carolina Cool Down was a great performer this past year. Carl Sagan - would like a half inch larger Crying in the Wilderness --on the short side Changed in a Moment looks promising. That morning eyezone is such a standout. Classy Columbus was a gift to attendees of the Columbus convention (not me). Crintonic Painted Desert. Pictures can exaggerate the coloring. A slow grower. I have a small piece of this. Creation Rejoices --an earlier Emmerich

I just saw Silver Lining at the local nursery and was very impressed. The blooms are large and fluffy, sized like a Hybrid Tea, but in floriferous clusters typical of a floribunda. The color was a very beautiful light silvery lavender. It reminded me of a lighter colored Love Song. The local nursery also had large healthy plants of Sterling Silver, which I thought was a very rare find. I made myself choose between the two, and ended up getting Sterling Silver because I don’t know when I’ll get to buy another big healthy plant of that variety. I’m sure Silver Lining is the far more garden-worthy of the two, but sometimes I like a challenge lol.