Hey there everyone!

I've shifted gardening gears over the past few years in an attempt to meet the demands of the drought in California. That meant trying my best to maintain the roses I had and stop ordering new varieties. I lost some of my favorite varieties the past several years -Boule de Neige, Gloire de Dijon, Treasure Trail, Adam, Crepuscule, Madame Lombard, and some others- but I've found more inspiration and interest in Succulents, Cacti, South African, Australian, and Native plants than I ever expected.

While we are certainly not out of the drought, I've had some holes in the yard that I couldn't help but replace with other roses. Yesterday I ordered William R. Smith, Madame Antoine Mari, and Marie Van Houtte from ARE. I'm probably going to order Mel's Heritage or Reve d'Or -another victim of the drought and my refusal to water heavily a few summers ago- from Burling in the coming week as well. It's always so hard to pick!

I hope everyone has been doing as well as possible! I recently planted a hedge of Mutabilis for a friend at their new home and I thought of all the wonderful help and knowledge posters have given me here. The rose bug got me again and here I am!

I may may have posted a picture of my cat Buttercup as a kitten here on one occasion before, but she's all grown up now! She'll be helping me get the roses in the ground soon. How time flies!

ArbutusOmnedo