I could'nt make it. I had church and then my little bro-in-law had baccalaureate and by the time that was all done it was 3:00. I am curious though, how was it?? Any good trades I missed?.

WOW.. The Plant Exchange was so wonderful.. First thing I wanted to saying THANK YOU for showing us your lovely rose garden. It was so amazed to saw your lovely blooms in different colors in everywhere! It really catches my eyes and drooling over your roses. I was learning lots and still have some question to ask you about the roses. LOL..

I got a nice plants from exhange. I have never seen some plants before in my life such like..Japense Baboo ho, and Leather flower (wild clematis). And got nice three different roses too. I am going to paint the dipper gourd bird house soon. Of course.. some more nice perennial plants are Hydrange, Salvia (Black and Blue), Rose of Sharon, ground cover (named??), basil, and dwarf red Crepe. Yeah.. It is neat plants..

The foods were so yummy and plenty too.. Jodi and Vicki.. I am so sorry that we missed you at the party. I hope we will get together again soon....

Kat

It was wonderful.
Kaye and Ron, your garden was gorgeous, your home lovely and welcoming, and you guys were so helpful and generous!
Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to organize this! It is obvious that your garden is a labor of love.
Beerhog, you frightened me a little when I first saw you, but then you turned out to be so nice and very knowledgable. Thanks for the advice and the plants.
Meeting everyone else was so much fun. The plants were great--- a wide-ranging selection of things I hadn't even heard of. I came home with so much that I felt greedy (but satisfied! LOL) Can't wait to try the banana trees, and of course the roses! I hung the wonderful birdhouse this morning.
Dori

Sounds like it was wonderful! I'm sorry I missed it (I was feeling icky yesterday) but love reading about it anyway!

Diane

Sorry I missed out. Hope someone will post some pix...wondering what Beerhog looks like, since it frightened Dori

Finally made it home this morning. Had to take care of the cuttings before talking to anyone. :O) I, also want to thank Ron and Kaye for their hospitality and generosity. What a rose garden...it would rival any I have seen. I took pictures, but you all don't know what you are asking if you think I can post pictures. I can't even get my computer to recognize my scanner, let alone anything more complicated. LOL All I can say is that I had to "look up" at a lot of roses that are said to only grow to 3 or 4 feet, and I don't mean long skinny stems...these rascals were full and huge. What a treat! I had lots to think about on the long drive home. It was great to meet everyone. I am so glad I made the trip.

Dori, Beerhog frightening? You haven't seen some of my neighbors. LOL

Kaye and Ron, once again THANKS!!!! You made us feel like we are just one of the family. They welcomed us to their home and any cuttings and starts we wanted. Felt so welcome!! We had great conversation, met lots of gardenwebbers, had great food, and lots of trades. For those of you who didn't make the time to go, all I can say is you lost out!!
I've seen lots of gardens, and Kaye and Ron's is number 1 for me!! Their love of gardening shows and they are more than willing to help you with yours, share their time, give you tips on how to do anything it is you want to learn about growing roses.
If you didn't go, all I can say is it' your loss!!
THANKS KAYE AND RON

OK---I need to re-phrase that. Beerhog didn't actually "frighten" me. More "surprised" me!
I lead a sheltered life, and he didn't look like any rose nuts I ever saw in magazine articles--LOL
He turned out to be quite the rose-nut, and very knowledgable about many other plants.
You guys will have to attend the next get-together/swap to see what we mean! LOL
Dori

Beerhog, where are you? You really need to defend yourself, man. By the way, thanks! I heard your name mentioned in connection with "help" several times while there. I enjoyed meeting you.

You guys are great..and so generous. We loved having everyone and what a neat group, huh?? I emailed Kat to ask her about pictures since I know she was taking some..sorry, I was busy and didn't even think about it. If she sends them, I will post later.

I want to thank all of you for bringing food, etc. and plants..that's what made this such a success, I think.

I think we should make this an annual affair..give the ones that couldn't make it this year another chance.

I'm here Mille. I just take the good with the bad. At least they remember me. I had a great time. I do not think that Dori was to frightened. I think she was the last one leave. Next time I will try harder to be more like what people expect.
Beerhog

No Beerhog---don't do that!! I was only teasing. We like you just the way you are. Yes, I was the last to leave---and I did so reluctantly. I wanted to keep talking roses, and getting more tips from you guys.
Yes Kaye---it would be wonderful as an annual affair. I am still in awe over your rose garden. It is by far the most beautiful rose garden I have ever seen----including both public and private gardens!
I must admit that I came home and was a bit disgusted with my garden. You guys sure have "the touch"!
Dori

Hi everyone,

I have to add my praises for Kaye and Ron and for their warm hospitality. As one of the attendee's wrote, they welcomed us as if we were all family and were so gracious to everyone.

I had such a lovely time. Their gardens are absolutely stunning, the food, company and plants were superb, the weather was marvelous and, well, it was just a great day. All my new babies are settled in; thank you Kaye, Ron and Beerhog.

Beerhog is a sweetie-pie and has two of the most adorable dachshunds you'd ever want to meet. Spanky, Kaye and Ron's beautiful border collie, is the official greeter. A happy face from Spanky just lifts your spirits.

This was my first ever plant swap and I learned so much. Kaye, if you and Ron do this again, please count me in.

~Mary_AR_z7

Why not bi-annually?

I agree we should meet 2 times a year. Had such a wonderful time and learned alot from everyone. Kaye you need to think about having all of us again this fall. Judy

Yes.. I agree with you guys that we ought to have meet two times a year! I am very sorry that I did not shoot pictures of you guys at the party. I was crazy over Kaye's roses and shoot too many pictures! I am very disapointed myself that I did not took picture a group of us at Kaye's

Beerhog... you remind me of California surfing guy! (He has long blonde hair with pretty blue eyes).. Long time ago, my girl friends and I went to the Long Beach in CA for surfing contest and saw lots of blonde long hair guys like you! I heard that you are very expert with progragate with roses. I am sugguest... Can you can show us how to progragate roses this fall at Kaye's? I have been tried to prograte roses, and failed many times. Grrrr..

Kat

I agree, Kat, that we should have taken photo's of everyone. I did the same thing, took photo's of Kaye's beautiful roses and didn't get one of the gardener's. LOL

Kaye, I've taken my soil sample in and just waiting now for the results. Thanks for the tip.

Shirley, your brother picked up his plants yesterday and was very happy to get them. What a nice guy and a neighbor, no less!

Beerhog, did you tell me the surprise lily can be planted most anywhere. It doesn't require a specific amount of sun?

I have some Siberian Iris kindly shared with me at the swap. They were bare root. I've planted them in a big pot with MG potting soil to let them get established. Should I trim the leaves back a few inches or leave them alone? They are, of course, floppy, but I wondered if the bulbs need the leaves to provide food or if too much leaf to support while roots are getting set? Always new things to learn ...

~Mary_AR_z7

Mary I don't think it would hurt to cut top of blades off of the Siberian Iris, Caesars brother. They are pretty hardy. I'd trim them back to about 4 inches or so.
Shirley

Whew, thank goodness Deafblossom finally described Beerhog...I was beginning to wonder if he was the Fouke monster come to life again. Just has long blonde hair--cool.

Maryleek, where are you located?

Mary thanks for getting the plants to my brother. He has been looking for those a couple of years, and I didn't know when I would be up there. Thanks Shirley

Thank you everyone for telling those of us who couldn't make it, what we missed! I ended up haveing to work. POO!
Thank you Kaye for inviteing me, and concidering having a bi-anual plant swap! I'm looking forward to next opportunity!
We just closed on our 1+ acre, so I haven't anything to show...yet. I hope to be able to invite everyone to our home, when my garden gets established. Right now I just need PLANTS, LOL I'm starting from ground zero.
Planted my first plants just the other day...moss, for my ground cover. I'm wondering how fast I can get it to take over? LOL Diann

Wow. It sounds like I missed out. I hope Kaye has another plant swap in the fall. I will be there.

James

How does October sound for another get together?? Probably early in the month since I have a rose show later in Oct. Weather should be cooling down and it will be division time for some plants. Those that didn't get to make it last time..start making plans.

Kaye, it sounds like I started something by suggesting bi-annually. Guess I will have to come huh?

It's that "squeaky wheel" thing, Jodonne, and yes, you better show up. This time we'll schedule a Saturday to make it easier for some.

Woohoo, count me in! Need to take lots of photos this time around, including the attendees.

~Mary