Once again, NEal, I wish you lived near me. I would go in on an order with you. I forgot to order Princess Alexandra of Kent from Regan, and they are through taking orders for this year so I couldn't add it on. At this point, the only place I can find to order it is Austin. I want another Heathcliff, Dark LAdy and Pilgrim too. The prices are so high at Austin, and now the 20% coupon is expired, and I told myself I wasn't going to order from them again. Phooey. Fewer and fewer online OR local nurseries are carrying Austins. I'm sure glad I grabbed the new ones from Rosemania and Regan. The Downton Abbey roses I bought last year have not had any winter dieback so far, so that's terrific news.
More hybridizers are releasing roses with the English style now, and scent is back in vogue, so maybe I don't need the Austin name on the rose to have the type I like! I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Austins grow better than any for me, and I don't have to spray them a bit. I've traveled places where they looked awful, but luckily I must have the perfect climate for them. It's harsh enough here that they don't become huge gangly monsters the way they do down south.
Cliftoncat, you made me laugh. I would only call it a "lapse" if I were to pass up any half price Austin roses!
Our winds are gusting in the 40s today, good day to work on taxes.
I wanted to tie up the berry canes today but I'm afraid I would be cut to ribbons if I tried! The canes all went wild last year when I couldn't garden. The plan is to have a double wire trellis and not get scratched up any time I walk through there. The young clerk at the farm store had no clue what I wanted when I asked for clothesline cable. Lowes did have an employee who knew what a clothesline is (was) so now I have the plastic coated wire I prefer. Guess I can't be too critical, because I remember my daughters asking me "what are those wires in grandma's back yard?" My new in-laws had a big laugh about that....
Back to work.....
