nucci60..I've winter sown all of mine, and have ranged from ~50 seeds to a 1-gallon water jug, down to a single seed to a 1.5" square plant band. The seedlings in the jugs were planted out in ~3" square plugs, with several seedlings in each. The plant band seedlings were planted out individually, and in groups of 3-4 seedlings. It hasn't seemed to make much difference in mature plant or clump size. They've all turned into similarly sized plants/clumps. They all bloomed in their first year, but much more strongly in subsequent years.

I have a clematis planted in the same hole as most of the roses on my Rambler Fence. When I was planting the roses, I dug the hole a little wider and popped the clematis right beside the rose. There's no way I could separate them now, and probably no way that I would want to. If you planted this two springs ago, I'm not sure you've seen all that Princess Diana can do. I don't think netting is necessary, but a piece of string or two to get the vines started upright could help. As a combination, Princess Diana may be too delicate for your monsterous MC. I grow mine with Jeanne Lajoie, and it blends well with the lighter canes and foliage, providing a good background for PD's bell-shaped flowers. Clematis is what I grow to teach myself tolerance. I prune my ramblers in the winter and I espalier them exactly the way I want them to be, keeping the spring show of flowers in mind. The clematis comes along in the spring, making its way willie-nillie up into and over the ramblers and I have absolutely no control over how they grow and where they bloom. Some years I get a great show, with clematis flowers interspursed with rose flowers and my planned combinations are beautiful. Other years, the clematis ends up growing too much one way and blooms in a clump (like tangled Christmas tinsel) and I have a big blob of purple or pink throwing off my carefully planned composition. If you decide to dig out your clematis, I doubt you could hurt that huge MC of yours. Do whatever will please you the most. Connie

I am near you - about 3 hours from Galveston in east Texas. I love my Tess. I have her on a huge fan shaped trellis - she has very healthy foliage and lots of nice blooms. Two of my favorite Austins are Carding Mill and Abe Darby. Wollerton Old Hall, new for me last year, does get really big, don't find the blooms fragrant like Austin says, but they are pretty. Sophy's Rose is a really good one - healthy foliage, lots of big pretty deep pink blooms. Bishop's Castle is good. Lady of Shallot looks to be big. I have quite a few new ones that are healthy and growing - they will do better next year. Great big for me are James Galway and Scepter d'Isle - like them a lot. I have Lady Emma and Munstead Wood planted where they get full sun until 2pm - hope they like it there. I really like Ambridge Rose too. Love the blooms on Jude......mine is very small though. I am getting another Young Lycadis - my chickens were scratching in that bed and killed it. The color is a different, brighter looking pink that I really like. Englands Rose was new for me last year - it started off looking and blooming fantastically.....then it starting dawdling around. Am hoping it will get going again in the spring - it was really nice. I want to try Princess Alexandra of Kent - have heard good things about it. Do any of you all plan to try the new Austins? I want Boscobel, The Lark Ascending.......not sure about the others. caldonbeck, the photos are fabulous! Judith

Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone! I am fortunate that our yard came with a lot of built in natural features that enhance the garden. Sometimes it's hard to work with them, but overall I'm glad to have them. Phil, it's an internal struggle not to eliminate some companion plants to make room for more hosta. Cindy, I think Thunderbolt is gonna be humongous this year. I though it was looking big last year and it put out four new eyes since then. Every year I pray it doesnt come up with an all blue leaf eye in there because I don't ever want to mess with it. Leafwather, so glad to have Mr Hosta's approval, lol