These past few years,it seems like all or almost all of the new roses I've planted out in my garden tend to grow backwards. Basically I think the bottom line is that global warming here in Italy has gotten out of hand,because in the past, in spite of my harsh conditions (lack of a water source is at the top of the list), they did very well. Now, even though I've improved my cultural practices,they just don't want to grow.

Now, we all know that roses hate competition; likewise, it's a well-known fact that ,if you have a rose that fails to thrive, the best thing to do is stick a plant label next to it with the name of a different rose written on it. The wimpy rose realizes that it will be sp'd if it doesn't shape up, and so it will start to grow! So, my idea is this: I'll start NOW to plan a perennial bed to replace the roses. I'll do my best to care for them this spring/summer,but if by the time next autumn rolls around they haven't grown...