Yikes, maryl! You've had major problems with spider mites on marigolds there? That sucks. Spider mites are, of course, among the very worst and most frustrating pests we all battle in the summer in the mid-South. And they can show up on just about any kind of plant, but I've never had more than an occasional flare-up on marigolds here. From what I've seen of Oklahoma, though, that may be especially prime spider mite habitat, so maybe you guys have to deal with more of them in all of your blazing summer heat. Still, from what I've seen here in North Carolina, spider mites have been much more of an issue on lantanas than on marigolds. But your experience is interesting and valuable. And I had another thought for a suggestion for your situation as I was strolling through my garden earlier this evening: phlomis. There are a number of species and varieties of phlomis out there, with all sorts of different flower colors, but many of them are just the brightest, clearest, purest yellow imaginable. My favorite phlomis cultivarÂand the one I was looking at in my yard that inspired the thoughtÂis 'Edward Bowles,' although its flowers may be too far into that golden-yellow color that you said you don't want. There's another pretty variety that I used to grow at my last house but didn't bring with me which has awesome medium-yellow flowers that are more like what you're looking for. I can't recall the name of that cultivar for the life of me, though. I'll let you know if I think of it or if I find it in my notes. Regardless, phlomis are terrific plants, and they look good all year and are highly critter-resistant. And much to my surprise, I've found that they don't require full sun, and will actually grow and flower quite well in a spot that gets as little as three or four hours of sun a day in the summer. They don't get very tall, although they do tend to spread out rather wide over time. I find a substantial haircut right after flowering helps a lot. A major drawback for your purposes may be that they flower fairly early, usually peaking about now (April-May) here in North Carolina, although mine also sometimes produce a few stray blossoms later in the summer or fall. I think it would be worth considering. FWIW, donnabaskets, if you think of it this summer, would you mind updating us on how your 'Butterpat' heleniums do? I've always liked heleniums from a distance, but when I got some a few years ago (I don't remember the cultivar name of them, either, but they weren't 'Butterpat;' I think they had some German name, which may have been part of the problem), they got obliterated by powdery mildew by the middle of July, and I gave up on them. But if yours does well in steamy Mississippi, then it would certainly be worth me giving it another try. Best of luck to both of you!

I second Pierrine and its color sport Sweet Melody. Others that do really well for me in New Orleans are Leading Lady (though its almost big enough to call a hybrid tea), Hot Tamale, Caliente, Bees Knees, Miss Flippins, and Linville. All of these bloom a lot. 2 new (to me) roses I got this past spring have been impressing me a lot for their sheer volume of bloom, shapely flowers, and light but bright colors. They are the pure lavender mini, Always A Lady, and the peach and pink-panther-pink blend, Electric Lady. E.L. blooms nearly continuously, and the blooms are impressive for form and color. Always a Lady blooms in distinct cycles with true mini-size blooms, but the cycles come quickly and literally cover the bushy plant. Very nice. Both these are compact plants. Mike

Well I am quite excited to see all the different miniatures here. Have not unfortunately spent the time on galleries as I would have liked lately, but I am trying to keep up. I LOVE all these miniatures. I should put this thead in my favourites - I will, as I really am a newby at minis and I would like to keep track of some of these beauties so I may order some in the future. My daughter gave me a check for mother's day last year and I needed some colour in a certain space in the garden. I was at our local supermarket and they had the most beautiful little minis, and I thought, that's what I want to purchase for my gift. I think I bought eight, I was quite thrilled with them - could not believe the height some of them attained in such a short while. Only problem of course is that they were not named, typical supermarket - if anyone can guess, then that would be nice. But here are two that I actually took pics of. Now this one had a little surprise! :smile Anyway, up until then, I only had one mini which was gifted to me and I think Les has it too, Lavender Jewell. I order this season Lemon Drop from Pickering, so guys, I guess I am getting hooked on minis! :) You enablers, you!! Pauline - VI

Thank you both for your help! I'll deffinately have to consider ordering from Johnny Becnel, but I'm hoping to find it somewhere that costs a bit less. It's great to know that it's sold somewhere though, I was near giving up on finding it. Maryl, unfortunatly Bridges doesn't sell June Laver anymore. I would like to find june laver as an own-root rose, but at this point I'd be perfectly satasfied with a grafted one at a good price..