Michael, Thank you for your reply. I fertilized once in the spring last year and again once this spring about 8 weeks ago so don't feel that is the problem. I also deadheaded after first heavy bloom cycle but they just keep putting up more blooms (and getting taller with the process). I think they must just like the spot! However, they're growing too big for the bed (in front of a porch railing). This is the only little spot I have that gets enough sun for roses. Will prune again but not quite as short as I suggested and will see how they do. Thanks once again for taking the time to offer your helpful advice. Mary

When I was a teenager, my mother thought chipmunks were cute. My Aunt next door cut down on the amount of cats & Mom was feeding them (the tree rats). The next thing we knew, there were chipmunks EVERYWHERE. Dozens of them, digging up all the bulbs & everything we planted. Emptying all the bird feeders. Running & playing & most of all multiplying. My Uncles were poisoning, trapping & shooting them until they finally got down to a manageable number. In later years, I had a Sheltie who thought it was her job to be on chipmunk patrol & she took it very seriously & kept them away. My Newf isn't that excited over such a small mouthfull but we have an Eskie who likes organic dog toys (mice & such are organic cat toys). Linda

I realize I'm not in NE, but I do have cotoneaster, and a similar climate here in Cleveland. My husband is originally from Boston, so we're all Patriots fans now and he is still a huge Red Sox fan if that helps. I've never seen any berries on my cotoneaster. I agree, mine seem to have come back stronger since I pruned to the ground this year. Mine stay pretty close to the ground, and have small coral flowers. They don't do much in winter and do trap leaves, so I plan to prune after the first leaf fall in Autumn. Then I can clean the bed nicely before the snows hit. I know the bed will look empty around my big Spruce, but who will know under our 6-8 inches of snow from Nov - April? Does anyone know if pruning them way back in the late fall will be a major problem or seriously harm them. I think I pruned them some in the fall before and they're still here. I suppose I can try it anyway, I'm not married to the idea of keeping them so I don't have much to lose.

ABSOLUTELY! ITS AN ENZYME IN FRESH PINEAPPLE! COMBINED WITH BROWN SUGAR AND REAL BUTTER ITS THE PERFECT STORM TO DIGEST A HAM.we thought someone put cheese in the meat or it was bad..but it was just digesting in enzymes God it was awful.thank goodness I had more in the fridge.I. put pineapple and brown sugar no butter and took it with us we ate it within the hour so no problems.I should have known better because I use pineapple and strawberries for digestion and pineapple is an awesome anti inflammatory.