In 3 local no spray gardens within 10 miles east of san francsico, CA(where conditions are mild/ moderate for b.s. and severe for p.m.. these are the most disease resistant H.P.s and show p.m. either rarely, or or only a light covering of p.m. for a few months out of the year. None of the roses on the no spray list ever defoliate from any disease, which would lessen bloom production. Also, all of the H.P.s listed in the no spray list below,show very little blackspot or rust, here. No-spray list of H.P.s for conditons which cause severe p.m. and mild to moderate blackspot and where rust is more rarely seen than the other two diseases. Pink Hybrid Perpetuals; 1. Arrillaga' huge spirally shaped satiny roses. Very impressive when in bloom, an eye-catcher for those who are drawn to pink roses. 2. Mrs. John Laing' kinda a bland color where I live where the lilac hues rarely show, but healthy and lovely. 3. Barrone Prevost' 4. Grandmothers Hat' there seems to be a large fan club for this rose locally. 5.'Mme. Boll' 6. Marchesa Boccella (though shows a bit of blackspot in warmer weather but never enough to defoliate, here) Comtesse Cecile du Chabrillant' darling smaller pink blooms, very disease resistant, here. Not as showy as the larger blooming H.P.s but very dear to my heart, size isn't everything. 8. Pauls' Early Blush' stunning at the front of a border, blooms before any of the other H.P.s in spring, in a garden with dozens of roses of that class. very large pale pink blossoms. Graceful. dark pink Ulrich Brunner fils' great pegged. Red Souvenir du Dr. Jamain' even in mid-December my plant shows among the most healthiest foliage in my garden, though in wet springs it can have a light covering of p.m. with no hurt done to it. Heartbreakingly beautiful and in my eyes a very special rose. I've not grown ' Alfred Colomb' but I've heard it is resistant to disease. Mauve 'Reine des Violettes' I can't imagine a collection of H.P.s without this special rose. white Frau Karl Druski' Or as I like to call her 'Snowqueen' which I've read was her original name. Very healthy in my garden most of the year, and only shows blackspot after November rolled around, which doesn't bother me much as the leaves will fall off shortly onto slowly decaying large size wood chip mulch. Comparative rose cultivars: ' Mystery H.P. #2' compared to the roses above, under the same conditions, Mystery H.P. #2 is partially defolited from disease, and riddled with blackspot most of the year and moderatly covereed with p.m. Rarely blooms because of this. Sydonie is rather heavily covered with p.m. during most of the year but thrives and blooms normally in spite of this and does not defoliate. Best wishes for beautiful roses, Luxrosa

Check out the "Florida Weave" for trellising toms. This is a super easy and cheap way to trellis rows of whatever. Make sure you don't use sisal twine as it stretches. I use tomato tape...it doesn't cut into the plants. Down south (well, I'm in FL, so I mean zone 10, lol, we just used the oak branches from the Feb. pruning. You can get several very long, very sturdy branches and just use them! I've used bamboo, but find that it's not nearly as sturdy as the oak, which can be used for at least 3 years before they start to rot at the bottom. I only trellis my heirlooms because of their massive size..the rest I let do what they will...I have huge harvests every year and I have the space for it) The Weave is a favorite for doing rows (even in raised beds) and keeping them spaced just right and takes very little effort. I'd prune any indeterminates you decide to grow upright...not so much for fruit production, which you'll get either way, but because it opens them up a bit and it's easier to spot problems before they become real problems. On a personal note: I'm going to try "red mulch" this year on my Roma's because I don't stake them at all. I'll let ya'll know how that works out! Here is a link that might be useful: How do I use the Florida Weave?

Thank you everyone for all your kind expressions. We were watching a movie tonight and a couple of times I could swear I felt a nudge against the side of the chair. Bubba's favorite thing was to rub his muzzle against one side of the chair while I scratched the other side. In the morning we had to have our nuggies - he'd start at the foot of the bed, rub his muzzle, continue on around to the front, I'd scratch his head and muzzle and he'd turn around to get the other side down. Buddy, the beagle has been mopping around all day. He usually goes out doors a large number of times, but today has only been a few times. I also think the snow (at least 16 inches or more and still snowing) has something to do with that. But more so, I'm sure he misses his pal. The vet's assistant said we needed to get another dog to keep Buddy company, but no thanks. I'm sure she was half serious, but Buddy will be enough for now and for the future. To all those who said I was a good doggy daddy, thank you. There were times I was really wondering if I/we were doing the right thing, but I am now more firmly convinced that we did. Thanks KTers.

NO, the arch is not custom. We got it straight out of the "Kinsman Company" catalogue. Here is an old pic of when my DH was in the middle of installing it (and painting it green). We have Ley's Perpetual (Cl tea) planted on one side of it, and Dawson's Apple Blossom (rambler) on the other. They were both only planted last Fall. DAB has made it up to the top of the arch already. Ley's Perpetual is slower, but its roots were badly damaged in transplanting it from its pot, so I am happy it is doing so well. Jackie