I had many kinds of citrus planted in my yard in San Diego and the blood orange grew the biggest, up to the top of the roof, and yielded great. It was planted by the house foundation where it could run its roots under the concrete. Perhaps some concrete paving stones around the plant could accomplish a similar environment. I have a caution about redwood compost. Back then I used redwood compost in some planting holes. Some fruit trees seemed unaffected but I planted a persimmon and it declined over 3 years and died. I heard about possible allelopathy in redwood (compounds that hurt or kill other plants), so I removed all the dirt from that planting hole and replaced it with fresh soil. I planted an apple there and it did great. I was just looking on the internet about that topic and some studies seemed to indicate treating the soil with activated carbon could help cancel the allelopathy. Whether the redwood is affecting your plants or not I don't really know. Just a thought.

I'm wondering, Carol, how long you will have at each of the gardens - two days isn't much to do all four. We easily did both Sissinghurst and Great Dixter in a single day. We gave a day to Wisley. It's bit, and a terrific garden but we were unimpressed with their rather ordinary rose garden - the long, long, long border and rock garden were much better. We went to Mottisfont several different days, and I would think it needs at least half a day, if possible - hope you aren't too jet lagged on your first day in England. Mottisfont's rose gardens aren't huge, but there is so much to look at and it is so beautifully done that I couldn't stop looking! I think it might be open a bit later than usual in June, if you are staying nearby. Janelle and I did fine on our first day in the UK without a nap, and really adjusted without much jet lag. I slept in a bit later than usual the first few mornings - she didn't. When I went to London with my husband some years ago, I didn't do as well - literally fell asleep on my feet while visiting a museum. Maybe it was an advantage to be outside in fresh air, sunshine, and gardens rather than inside. I got sick on the trip to London, but was utterly healthy and thriving during the garden trip. In any case, your trip sounds wonderful. I think you've said that your husband isn't really a rose garden kind of guy, so how nice that you are getting these two days plus a day at Kew. My husband isn't much for gardens, but he was pretty enthusiastic about Kew. I still think that Kew is a great choice, but have to say that we heard good things about St. Albans from the people on Clair Martin's Great Rosarians trip last year. It wasn't open to the general public but was open to RNRS members and tour groups. We could always have joined the RNRS and gotten to see it, but we just didn't make the time. Anita

My Huintington Gardens grow all of their plants with about 60% shade cloth. During the winter only 30% shade cloth. So most plants seem to grow better with less than full sun. Some we even put under our benches, to keep them cooler, and give them more shade. Most Semps. some Kalanchoe, Cerpegia, Dischida, Rhipsalis and related plants, Epiphyllum, Orchids. Well now I know you have enough choices. Some of these plants need more humidity than others, and most will not tolerate peat moss so use Redwood bark or decayed Oak mulch instead. Norma

Taiwania cryptomerioides is something. I got to see one at the US National Arboretum a few springs ago. How large is your's? And can you add a photo of some of these or all? Dax