Thanks Sharlene! That makes sense, the outer layers of younger plants would be more pliable and easier to work with. And thanks for the link, looks like clear, concise direction- I've bookmarked it!
Cindi, can't say I was very good about caring for the garden this summer, but a couple of other new roses planted alongside Edith's Darling this spring grew very vigorously, so I assumed the small leaves are a trait of the variety. How has Red Intuition performed for you? It's a rose I've worked with as a cut flower and I found it exquisite!
