Hello, for whatever it is worth, here is an update on the disease resistance factor on my roses. I was able to spend a lot of time in my gardens this weekend and here's what I found: Heritage does have BS, but much less than most other roses and is not defoliated at all. MIP and Zepherine Drouin also now have some minor BS. Clair Matin and Viking Queen completedly defoliated from BS. So has Frederic Mistral. Most all the roses look pretty bad. I felt discouraged and did not know where to start to make things look better. I think that next year i will just have to acquire more disease resistant roses to replace many of the ones i currently grow. That in itself feel pretty terrible since i'm so fond of my roses. It also feels overwhelming but if i do a little at a time, it shouldn't be so bad. One bright note: I checked a rose that is practically hidden in the garden (a Buck....Golden Unicorn) and was happy to see that it has no blackspot, the foliage looks great and it is getting ready to bloom again. This spring, Golden Unicorn will be relocated to a much better and more worthy space. And two of my chinas (Cramoisi S and Mme Franciska Kruger) have almost completely regrown their leaves after defoliating...they actually look pretty good right now. Also, for the first time i checked out all the knockout roses and plan to use a few next year for punches of reliable color. Thanks for listening, Shelley

Mine's in medium bark in a plastic pot w/ thick sphag on top because it dries out fast. This spring, the new bark will have sphag mixed in. I don't remember a scent, but they're supposed to have one, right? A question - some of my leaves have a few small black spots on them. An experienced grower here said they were normal and not to worry. Now the buds have what look like the same kind of spots. Does yours do this? (I can post pix in another thread, if that would help.) WC8

Was Galen a cloth doll? I found this info that might be helpful. Here is a link that might be useful: Is this the Galen you seek?

Great Elf and the eyes are beautiful! And I like the colors! Whoever said Christmas had to be red and green? Where ever did you find the idea? I have been painting ornaments for my GS and several friend children for over 16 and have never found anything as nice as yours.