Hi GAgal. I'm in north FL, same zone as you. I have pretty much the same weather and soil as south GA. One that does well in my garden, that fits your requirements for the smaller rose is Clotilde Soupert. Not totally thornless but few and far between. One of the first to bloom in the spring, she laughs at our hot humid summers, and will still be blooming at Christmas. The flower opens more in dry weather, can ball a little in wet, though I find it quite charming. Lovely old fashioned powder scent (to me). I've had her I guess close to 10 yrs now. I see in your last post you are wondering about a rose for a teepee. Again, in my own yard Don Juan has been a real survivor and bloomer. But not thornless. Do you need thornless there too? Have you checked into any of the tea roses, they do well in this area. Are there any rose gardens near you? It's so helpful to be able to actually see real roses growing in your area. Donna

Hi Debbie, Welcome to the obsession, er citrus club. I have around 50 citrus in large pots. Watch your weather channel during the winter for temps dropping below 32. The kumquat and calamondin are very hardy, but prolonged exposure to temps in the 20s can severly damage or kill your trees. Since you only have two plants and plan to put them in pots, bring them in your greenhouse, if temps go below freezing. We have a long growing season in Louisiana, and I rearrange my trees in a temporary shelter around Thanksgiving week, too. I now have a 10 x 20 shade canopy frame to act as a temporary greenhouse during the winter. Lately, our winters have been very mild. If you desire, you can plant them in the ground but be prepared to cover them if you have an arctic blast. Take care, Mike

Hello My Gardening Friend, It's April 3rd and you know what just around the corner! Our Plant Swap April 19th, so hope you are gearing up for all the "Fun" we're going to have! Remember I need a head count by the 10th, so I'll know everyone will have plenty to eat on Saturday! Also if you planning to come on Friday night "please" let me know. We will be going out to eat on Friday night. So I'll need to reserve us a group table. This restaurant has Great Food and a menu for all and is out in the county only a short 15 minute drive! They have a "delicious " homemade Strawberry pie! If you need directions or help in any way just ask. Remember to put Plant Swap in subject for e-mail dvincent23@hotmail.com

Hey ya'll. I live in Thomasville, about 15 miles from the FL line and about 30 miles from Tallahassee. Born and raised here and except for college never stayed away. Over here we are surrounded by plantations that have fabulous gardens and pines. The house I live in now backs up to Millpond Plantation and used to be a part of it. I started growing orchids a few years ago and have so many my greenhouse is full! I think FoxesEarth gave some pretty great ideas for growing in this area. There's also lots of things that grow further down that will grow here except they die back in the winter. I even grow supposed annuals such as begonias and impatiens that come back every year with mulch. I also like Lemon Verbena and Greek Myrtle. I just got Dirrs new book Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates and it gave me a few ideas but the one I can't live without is Southern Living's Garden Book. Pine straw is the best mulch anywhere around and there's plenty of it in these parts. I am always willing to try things that aren't supposed to grow here and have been successful with several things. My landscaper almost died when she saw my hellebores and lilac! I also like to grow herbs and there is a great herb farm in Madison, Florida which is not too far from Valdosta. It's called O'Tooles. The only things I really wish I could grow is English lavender and a hemlock. Sigh. So I settled for a raised bed of different lavender and a Deodar Cedar. Guess you can't have it all! Hope we can play off each other quite a bit. I love new ideas since mine don't always work!