Thanks, Sheila. I don't think DA Roses knows what the heck they're doing when it comes to retaining their best roses. When they retired Munstead Wood, it was still under patent. Everyone liked it. What were they thinking?

Kristine, as I said just above, I don't think Austin Roses knows what's good for their company. They've lost the vision of David Austin Sr.....I hope you're still free of vertigo. I didn't know you had that problem, but so many do. And I don't want to fall, either. I'm very cautious going up and down stairs, and we have lots of stairs here.

Carol, it does look like cheese is the culprit, and I'm so sorry about that. It's pretty hard to exist without cheese, as you well know. I even drink a glass of milk every day, too, for calcium intake, not because I particularly like it. I hope the specialist can give you some hope of this allergy lessening in time, and what brought it on so suddenly when you had been eating cheese all your life. Are you having an arm problem, too? Just what you need. I hope that goes away soon. I wonder why Paradise Found is impossible to find. Oh, the irony of that name......Well, I got my fertilizing done today, so tomorrow, it's back to clean up for a few days, and then we have rain. I want that rain to get the last of the fertilizer pounded in. Then......we're supposed to have snow. Talk about more irony. You have no snow and Windowsill's snow will be melted, and now we, the warmish, will have snow. It's just one day and I don't think will be much, plus it's too warm to stay long. However, the mountains are predicted to get a lot, and I'm happy about that. What a boring topic. Thanks for the nice comments on my roses. And my fav of your roses in photos posted is the exquisite Gruaud Larose (I don't think I spelled that correctly--ack French.). Why haven't I noticed that one before. It's glorious, but can we get it in the US? I think Kentucky Rose is getting it. The bloom structure on that rose is perfect. Going to check it out on HMF. Diane

I just had to post this, my favorite photo of Augusta Luise, as you know. Sorry, but I must. I wish I could have embalmed this bloom.

Windowsill - I know, that Chris Farley image is hysterical and bang on. It gets scarier to walk on ice as you get older. Invest in proper boots, cleats, etc. :) No, we haven't got much snow this winter. I mean, we've been shoveling, but it hasn't been terrible. Really? That's interesting that the backstroke was your specialty!! Any advice for a terrible swimmer, lol? I can't imagine liking running. But I'm glad you enjoy it. Being outdoors is a huge plus for running. Being in nature is so good for us. Treadmill...blech/phooey!! :) Try Life of the Party!! Great rose!! That's a tenacious ivy to be able to attach to a wall. :)

Diane - SWOOOOOOOOON!!! Your Eglantyne is astounding and abounding in beauty and girth!! What a rose!!!! My faves are 2nd and 3rd. Gah, drool and WOWZA!!!! Love the honeybees. :) Yeah, it does look like cheese to me too. I guess I'll find out on March 11th. I reeeeally hope it's not a cheese allergy. When I started drinking a glass of milk a day, that's when it started. Yeah, my arm has been pretty sore for about two months. Started to get better a while ago, and then I shoveled, and it got bad again. I have a doctor's call back next week. Probably my gall bladder ultrasound. I have a growth in there that gets checked yearly. Booo. Hopefully it's just my Achille's ultrasound/x-ray. That would be better. :) I don't know; I've never seen Paradise Found again. Not once. Yeah, it is ironic. lol I never thought of it that way before. Oh, what splendid timing!!! Fertilizer and then rain!! Well done, Diane. :) Hopefully, your warm weather will quickly melt the coming snow. And snow for the mountains!! That's perfect!! I got my Gruaud Larose (you spelled it correctly) from Palatine. I'm surprised everyone likes it that much. It makes me appreciate it even more, though. Oh, SWOOOOOON, again on your Augusta Luise!!!! It's incredible and unbelievable that a rose can be THAT glorious!! You've racked up quite a few swoons!! I asked my sister, Mary, which rose she liked better, your Eglantyne or your Augusta Luise. She chose AL. I think that's my choice too...but it's a hard call. I'm glad you posted that pic again. Nothing to be sorry about. :) :) :)

My sweet Teddy as a puppy.

My Campanula ? It's the one that died over winter one year. It's such a cutie.

Gruaud Larose, I think.

Roses from many years ago. Bishop's Castle is up front to the right. I'm still annoyed that I killed that one.

Bishop's Castle

Carol, I thought you said DA roses hated you. Bishop's Castle looks beautiful and bloomy. What happened? The garage tragedy? You know I searched for Paradise Found tonight, and if I remember, Heirloom sells it and Edmund's Roses, too. I think Heirloom ships to Canada. You might check. And I love G Larose so much I found it on April & Ashley, all sold out, but just for fun-ha, I got on their wait list to be notified when it's back in stock. Now that is a big rose, so where will I put it? Is it the one with 6 inch blooms? It's so hard to believe those big, gorgeous roses above are growing in pots you keep in the garage during winter. Where do you put your car? I think that is a Peach Leaved Bellflower you lost, but they're for sale at a lot of places. Yours grew so well for you, you do need to grow another one or three. I grew at least one many years ago before I moved to Boise. Teddy, the sweetie, who can be ferocious. You'd never know it.....So you just started drinking milk recently and that started the cheese thing? That's the key. If you lay off milk long enough, maybe the cheese allergy will calm down. I've been drinking the daily glass since forever when I was a wee tyke. If you have developed a lactose intolerance, maybe something like Lactaid would help. The doc should be able to help with that. No more snow shoveling if it hurts your arm. I quit shoveling about 15 years ago because of my BP out of an abundance of caution, but digging holes and hefting 50 pound bags is OK cause that's gardening. Got to go to bed. Have fun with Mary tomorrow. Diane And thanks about the AL photo.

Abe, I am not a twig d*mmit, Darby

Diane - I'll respond later. I'm (yay!) looking through Phoenix Perennials' new Main Catalogue of Specialy plants. I've already put a Campanula rotundifolia - Common Harebell - bellflower family in my basket! That's the one I lost a few years ago. If you're bored, you may want to take a look. They have lots of interesting plants. They won't ship to the U.S. though.

https://www.phoenixperennials.com/mail-order/new-plants/

They have lovely Penstemons...zones 5-6 for most of them. I checked Airdrie's cold zone, and it's zone 3. We're about 10 minutes south of Airdrie. I'm sure that we're still zone 3, even though Calgary is supposed to be a mixture of zone 3b to 4a. So I'll stick with zone 3 plants.

https://www.phoenixperennials.com/product/penstemon-missionbells-deep-rose-beard-tongue-plantaginaceae-the-plantain-family/

I'm getting this one.

https://www.phoenixperennials.com/product/penstemon-procerus-littleflower-penstemon-plantaginaceae-the-plantain-family/

and this one:

https://www.phoenixperennials.com/product/persicaria-bistorta-superba-meadow-bistort-polygalaceae-the-milkwort-family/

I'm also getting:

-Delphinium Pixie Rocket 'Rose' - Larkspur - Ranunculaceae (The Buttercup Family)

- Penstemon procerus - Littleflower Penstemon - Plantaginaceae (The Plantain Family)

- Persicaria bistorta 'Superba' - Meadow Bistort - Polygalaceae (The Milkwort Family)

- Salvia x pratensis Fashionista 'Evening Attire' - Meadow Sage - Lamiaceae (The Mint Family)

- Salvia x pratensis Fashionista 'Ballerina Pink' - Meadow Sage - Lamiaceae (The Mint Family)

I know, yes, I know, that I have ordered too many plants. I've ordered so many other ones earlier in the year.

Diane - Bishop's Castle is the ONLY Austin that has done well for me. And I've tried many. Sigh. I think it was the pH problem that did BC in. Another sigh. I would get that one again, if I could find it. But not this year, I've bought too many plants/roses as is. Argghh, lol, nooooo!!!! You found Paradise Found...what a weird sentence. Yes, Heirloom ships to Canada. I've been trying to support Canadian businesses by only shopping Canadian. But....for Paradise Found...I loooove that rose!! I'm not sure how disease-prone it is. I'll check on hmf. Back when I had it, none of my roses got diseases. Thankfully, lol, Heirloom doesn't carry it. Phew. And they don't have Chartreuse de Parme...my other unicorn rose. Gruaud Larose is sold by A&A, and you can be put on the waiting list. Go for it!! :) :) No, I don't think the blooms are 6 inches. Pink Peace was like that. Oh, I looked on hmf, and yeah...6 inches. I don't think mine were that large...definitely large, though. We have a 2-car garage, and one side, plus part of the other, is filled with roses. lol and yay!! No, I think I lost the Common Harebell that I lost. And I'm getting another one now. I do have a LOT of Peach-leafed Bellflowers...I throw around spent blooms, and they come up as new plants. I have white ones and purple ones. Yes, it started with drinking milk, I'm pretty sure that was the start. Lactaid is a possibility. I'll ask the Allergist. :) That would be great if I can drink milk and eat cheese again. :) LOL about the shoveling vs the digging holes and hefting 50 lb bags. Yup, that's very true...roses need us. The snow doesn't. :) But, definitely be careful. Yes, Abe is a big boy. He's not a twig. Yours is very beautiful!! I love that color. I need more peach colored roses.

Carol, I had fun going over your list and I grow some of the plants you're ordering. I've been interested in growing persicaria for many years, ever since I saw a mass of it in full bloom, and the bees were going crazy over this plant. I also note that persicaria is a major craze in gardens featured in The English Garden Magazine. I may buy a few plants this spring at Edward's, finally after all this time. I got a chuckle out your Campanula rotundifolia, Scottish harebell, and other names. I've grown it for years, and it's almost invasive. Last year, I had to dig a lot of it up, since there was just too much. It loves me. It blooms for months, and isn't fazed by the cold, heat, rabbits, or anything else. I've also grown several of the Mission Bells series, and have lost track of where they are. I have so many penstemon, it's grown confusing over what is where. The key to season long bloom with penstemon is removing the spent stalks. Then I scatter them around and have gotten a number of free plants doing that. More on the worts later. We've already discussed that hilarious family and it's healing abilities. Delphinium/Larkspur I avoid because larkspur is a once bloomer, and I need good repeat. I learned my lesson about once bloomers years ago, though I'm still putting up with Shasta Daisies......No, you didn't order too much. Growing a plant is really the only way to see if they will be successful for you. Have fun. Diane

Campanula rotundifolia, Scottish harebell

Campanula carpatica, very cold hardy

Campanula por@#$%^, I can't ever remember it's horrendously long scientific name. It's often sold as "Get Me". I still grow it after many years and a number of rabbit attacks. The rabbits lost.

Brunnera the basic plant. False Forget Me Not; Heart Leaf, etc. There are many varieties with frosted leaves. Mine is a passalong plant, through several hands. The original plants go back to the early 20th century. The leaves grow way larger as the season progresses and are heart shaped. The blue flowers last 6-8 weeks and begin very early. It's extremely cold hard to zone 3.

More of that blasted harebell. I actually like it.

Carol & Diane,

Thank you for the gorgeous roses! And V-Day roses! That chocolate fudge cake is truly a winner! Mmmmmmm! i’ve been dieting, but todays chocolate day, so I had a little chocolate-caramel treat! Yum! In a coupke weeks I can be baking my favorite treats, either chocolate mousses with cottage cheese or a fruit combo like blueberry cobbler!

Susan, Lovely blooms! Tgank you for sharing!

Windowsill,

We love you and your house plants and roses! It spices up this forum and is amazing how you do it!

My bloomin’ amaryllis! I think they are blooming way more than last year-double size!

Wowza! Soooo may huge blooms on my kitchen table!

Carol,

Has the doctor said you have cheese allergies now? I am so sorry. I love cheese in my fruity & chocolate mousses! Wishing you a blessed recovery!

Thank tou Friends for the good wishes on selling my home!

Caramel Chocolare Mouse! My fav!

Enjoy!

Carol, I just want to snuggle with your sweet teddy right now as I take a nap in the car. I'm waiting for my hubby to be done with his Vday pedicure gift. Windowsill, you are such a great indoor gardener. Everything looks amazing. What did Diane teach you about window angles? Please share the tip.

Giving some pets to Sandy

Magnificent perfume and I don't know the name of the yellow one. Looks like something rain but I think it's a tag from another plant near it.

Kitty, can you post the multi layered choc cake? Looks sinfully delightful!

I don’t need any of the yummy looking desserts, but I do want that adorable kitten on the right side of the red heart. It’s adorable!

The adorable kitten is adorable…. Duh. How redundant! But it really is adorable! 🥰

Kitty -- It's so good to hear from you and your amaryllis are really putting on such a show! Much needed in the doldrums of winter. It looks like one of them must be the Lady Gray variety that both of us grew last year. Somehow I ended up buying no paperwhites or amaryllis bulbs this year, but I always feel bad discarding amaryllis bulbs anyway. Your photos prove they very much deserve to be saved!

Carol -- I may have given the false impression I'm good at swimming and I'm not. We moved away from the Jersey shore and that swim team when I was young and I basically stopped doing the various strokes after that, which is kind of a shame. I think the most I could muster is a shabby breaststroke at this point! But it's great you swim; it must be wonderful for the body and low-impact, too. Hope your allergist has some good ideas relating to dairy, cheese, etc. We're all clearly a bunch of cheese lovers here and are rooting for your future cheese consumption! That Bishop's Castle rose is stunning. I can see why you liked it so much, and of course now it's a variety that's not easy to get. I was also wowed by the Pink Peace bloom you posted earlier, but it's too bad the plant didn't work out. I noticed they planted several Enchanted Peace roses up at the NY Botanic Garden last season or the season before, and I'll have to see how they are doing this spring; they are sticklers for health, so I imagine Enchanted Peace will get the boot if it doesn't perform well. Glad you were able to get a pestemon hardy to your zone. Puppy Teddy is SO cute; those eyes!! How could you not fall in love with that pup?

Socal -- Sandy is one lucky squirrel, and that yellow-pinkish rose is beautiful, as is Magnificent Perfume.

Diane -- Eglantyne sounds wonderful, and I love the look of it. Yes, DA offered it this year, and it's still in stock. I think I'm going to try to banish the "I want" from brain, though, and just look forward to my already placed order. (Really, I'm greedy to want anything beyond Munstead.) And Silas is trying to make a comeback, so maybe I should let him! I already had a moment of weakness a couple weeks ago and ordered Loves Me, Loves Me Not from Antique Rose Emporium. I'd tried the variety previously and the blooms and scent were wonderful, but I can't rememember why I couldn't get the plant to do well. Maybe it'll do better this time, or I'm just foolhardy to try again. I think I'd rather call the rose Audrey Fleurot, as it is France, as I much prefer that name. Oh, those different types of campanula are beautiful! I wouldn't mind having something so pretty be semi-invasive, but I can understand how that might be a problem. Since it sounds like you are having a relatively mild winter, does that already mean you are seeing some signs of spring?

There's another atmospheric river rolling into CA, so today was the sunniest day I'll have on my trip, but boy, it's so nice to experience temps in the 60s and sunshine. Winter feels so far away here.

Dianthus in my mom's patio garden. Not sure of the variety, but they have a fantastic scent.

Her variegated lemon. (Why do I live in New Jersey???)

An aging Princess Charlene bloom and some buds. I held the bloom up to my nose about a dozen times.

Diane/Carol -- I thought you'd appreciate these since I know you like vintage illustrations, cards, etc. We put these old Christmas and New Year's cards out every year at the holidays, and my mom wants me to take them home with me (and I'm very glad to have them). She probably got them at thrift stores when she was a young adult. They are all postmarked from between 1909 and 1915. The velvet roses were always my favorite as a kid (surprise, surprise).

Diane - Oh, I'm glad you had fun with that list. :) :) That's very good to hear that bees go crazy over perscaria!! I'm usually far away from a new fad. Nice to be in there with the gang. :) I grew Scottish harebell, as you know, and I never found it remotely invasive. That's strange that you did. Mine didn't spread at all. I guess mine didn't love me, just tolerated me. lol That's good, I want plants that stay in their place. So removing the penstemon stalk all the way to the base of the plant or just deadheading? I have very few plants that will give me height and a wow color, so I don't mind that Delphiniums/Larkspur are a once bloomers. :) Shasta Daisies are the best plant for me. I wish I could tell you the name of my variety. Thanks, Diane...more plants...where are we going to put them...we don't know!! :) I adore your Scottish Harebell!!! That's definitely what I had. I also had the next one you showed...Campanula. It died too. Both the Harebell and the Campanula lived for about 5-10 years. Maybe they had just petered out. Lol, the rabbits lost. :)

Kitty - oh, wowza!!!! I love your Amaryllis plants!! I have 2 plants that have buds that are about to pop open. Amaryllis are such rewarding plants to grow!! Thanks for showing us yours...they look really good!! The first and 3rd pics are my faves. No, I haven't seen the allergist yet...that's in March. Every time I eat cheese or drink milk, I get incredibly itchy hives everywhere. I have to keep taking my Reactine to keep the hives away. I think everyone's sick of me talking about my hives by now. lol :) :) But thank you!! Your chocolate and caramel dessert looks OOOOHHHH so DELICIOUS!!!!! I adore caramel and chocolate together. I'd better stay away from it. :) Happy Valentine's day!! We're going out on Monday or Tuesday to celebrate it.

SoCal - awww...Teddy is very people friendly; he would love that!! I always used to nap in the car while I waited for my kids to be done at school. It was a delicious indulgence. :) What a nice gift to give your hubby!! My husband would never go for that...ticklish feet. lol It's hard to believe that you befriended Sandy so totally!! She/he isn't scared of you at all. Awwww :) :) Your two roses are new are they? I think Magnificent Perfume sounds amazing. That rose has been on my radar for awhile. I'm excited to see how it does for you!! Hmmm...I don't know what the other rose is called. Lovely, though. :)

Judi - the 5 legged kitty? :) :) No, I get it; her coloring is sooo pretty. :) :)

Windowsill - Oh, you don't swim anymore. So you swam in the ocean when you were little? I think swimming in the ocean would be a lot harder than in a swimming pool because of the waves and because I would be thinking of sharks all the time. I like to walk for higher impact, since I've had osteoporosis since I was 30 (linked to my genetic disorder), but I like swimming for the aerobic benefits. I can't walk fast enough to do much good for that. Thanks!! I'm sooo hoping that it's a 6 week mystery idiosomatic (or whatever word that should be) like Kedra says it could be. She says some allergies stay for 6 weeks (or is it 6 months, lol) and then they go away. Crossing my fingers and praying. :) Thanks about my Bishop's Castle. :) :) :) It was literally the only Austin rose that did well for me. I've had that Pink Peace for about 8 years, and it's the first year that it had any disease except for a touch of PM once in a while. But last year it had everything nature could throw at it, and it was too much. I think that the Peace roses are more prone to disease, but I'm not sure. I had Chicago Peace for many years, and then replaced it with a fragrant rose. It was a GREAT rose, though. Thanks about Teddy. :) :) Awwww :) Go Silas, go!! Loves Me, Loves Me Not has beautiful blooms. Oh, my!! I'm glad you're having some warm weather and sunshine at your mom's house. When you go back, spring will be even closer. Those are lovely dianthus plants. :) :) Yes, why do we live in cold climates? :) :) Princess Charlene de Monaco was one of my roses that was bad for disease. It got Downy mildew, which your's is not likely to get. :) Yes, I do love those cards!! My faves are the velvety red rose, the white rose, and the children. :) Spring is coming!!

I think I'll start a new thread on Monday unless someone else wants to do one. I don't mind, though. :)

Betty White is a really large bush with wonderfully fragrant large blooms. This is about the best pic I could find of it because it got thrips markings way worse than this. So I gave it away to a friend who didn't care about that.

Carol,

I’m always happy to hearcabout your challenges & successes. I hope you recover completely from hives & can enjoy cheeses again, soon! I think youvare a fabulous swimmer, too! Great to stay in shape! I oughta do zumba afain-live dancing. For now, it’s walking Anastasia & bathtime exercizes! LOL!

i’m glad you are enjoying your amaryllis-the best bug free-blooming-easy care house olant!!!

Windowsill,

Love your bulbs & house plants. Thanjs for sharing your beautuful photos! Maybe keep your Amaryllis bulbs next time. They grow well inside all year, bloom a few months. Cut them all thexway back in fall and let them dry-no wTer fir about 4-6 weeks of dormancy. Then water & tgeyvwill grow & bloom again! Fabulous!

SD, Beaut Beautiful roses! Soooo sweet you can pet your squirrel, Sandy! Amazing!

@judijunebugarizonazn8

No Chocolare recipe for you! LOL! One kitten coming up! Try the Humane Society! 😇🥀😊

Kentucky….

A recipe for you!

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Behind again, and staring at a photo of luscious chocolate cake. I'm cooking dinner today, and no one's getting cake. Bah humbug...... Kitty, your amaryllis are so beautiful, I'm almost convinced to grow a few inside. The pink is lovely, but I think my fav is the orange, which I've never seen in an amaryllis. Thank you for the precious kittens Valentine. I got a box of Valentine Junior Mints, long gone. My granddaughters got something on paper that I signed my name to, and that they will quickly deposit.

Windowsill, I hope that atmospheric river went somewhere else. It sounds so pleasant in California. We're at about 60F today, and my SIL is out on our back patio in shorts and bare footed. I think he's carrying it a little far, but he's Swedish and 60F is summer a temp. Your mom's bouquet is exquisite with a perfect color. And it sounds like Princess C smells pretty good. I love the antique cards. The white rose reminds me of the Christmas cards Carol and I sent. I think that card company pretty much lifted vintage designs for their cards. The vintage violets reminded me that Select Seeds sells actually Parma violets plants. I think they would would grow nicely inside for you, and they are the superb scented violets type, not the trash violets that came unbidden into my garden with a passalong plant. Well, tater in the over now. Back later. Diane

Well, that didn't take long. I'm making twice baked potatoes to go with steak, and chicken for those who don't eat steak, plus some salad. I decided not to do clean up today because I wanted to stay clean myself for the day.

Carol, finally. Before I forget, On penstemon, cut off the part of the stalk bearing the seed cases. This will be several inches down to the part of the stem with leaves. I noticed there are a lot of ripe seed cases still on stalks of my penstemon plants. I don't think the penstemon went dormant, and it's pretty much evergreen unless it's an extra cold, long winter. Your campanulas lasted a long time, so now you get to buy some more. My favorite campanula is Canterbury Bells, but the killer is they are biennial and so would just bloom for one year if you start with a plant. If you start with seed, the plant just forms a rosette of leaves, and doesn't bloom until the following year. So basically, it's like an annual as far as years of blooming. I decided it wasn't worth it, but in a lot of my designs, I included my favorite flowers, and there were almost always some Canterbury Bells in the design, as well as forget me nots, and roses. And pansies, often purple pansies. You need to grow that gorgeous Betty White again. Heck, now I want to grow it. There are ways to deal with thrips without spraying, plus often the thrips give up and go away, which they did on the few roses I grow that got them. It was just a spring time thing, too. Diane

Mr I am not a Twig.

Augusta in an apricot mode

Violets

Wild Blue Yonder

Young Lycidas

.

Diane -- your Sunday dinner sounds wonderful. Twig Darby does look very defiant about his twiggy moniker! Maybe I should try him indoors someday, if he does stay small. I'm intrigued by the Parma violets and love the idea of growing a bit of history. I just wonder if they'd resent the dry heat indoors in the winter. Still very tempted, though. I got this scented cyclamen I'd been coveting -- Absolu de Morel -- at a nursery out here, and I'm going to try to keep it happy by putting it in the somewhat cooler bedroom window where I don't grow much.

Carol -- I agree with Diane that Betty White is a gorgeous rose. I know I saw it growing somewhere back on the East Coast last summer and was so impressed with it, especially since I'd never hear all that much about it.. And yes, I endorse you creating a new seasonal thread. It will make me really look forward to spring!

Diane -- The weather has actually been not bad at all; tomorrow will be the only rainy day. As a fellow nasturtium lover, I thought you'd appreciate these ones growing like wild in the park today. They were everywhere.

Windowsill, I can't remember where you said your mom lives, but I assume it's rather more south than I am in Santa Barbara. It's supposed to start raining here after midnight, and it looks like we're gonna get really hammered from about 6-11 am. So you'll get it a bit later. I had to laugh at the local weather tonight when they called for a low of 55 tonight and a high of 56 tomorrow :-D

Edit to add: Carol, yes it's definitely time for an early spring thread. Given how warm it's been this winter, my roses look more like March than February at the moment!

Windowsill, thanks for the chocolate cake recipe!

Kentucky Rose, I thought it was Kitty's recipe. Not trying to take away from a possible Windowsill recipe. Lots of recipes flying around. I had no cake, so I ate Dove chocolate pieces, a Christmas gift, I finally attacked. When you need chocolate, it can come in any form and be good.

Windowsill, I could just dive into those nasturtiums they look so lush and inviting. Our parks would never feature such a thing growing in them. I think your rain is moving north and east to us. Tomorrow evening we'll have hours of rain, supposedly. But the forecasts change frequently, and can be so useless. Anyway, I just looked up the Parma violets available from Select Seeds. Both Parmas are 13.95 per plant. I would go for Marie Louise partly because she's, well, violet colored, and Comte de Brazza is white. A white violet? Marie Louise was named for the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was a new offering in 1871, "endowed with a heady fragrance" and a "choice variety for pots." I'm not trying to tempt you, am I? The description mentions that sweet violets were all the rage for corsages and bouquets in Victorian times.....But I note the lovely scented cyclamen that you will be bringing back with you (on your lap?). It's a lovely thing with striking leaves, and scented, too. Diane

Ugh...we're getting down to -19C/-2.2F for 4 days this week. NOOOOOO!!! Come on, all of those below Alberta, blow your warm weather up here. :) :) Puhlease!!! lol

Kitty - I had thought about doing Zumba at the Y a few weeks ago. Then I saw on-line...and it's insane!!! lol I don't have that much energy, for sure. I'd love to hear if you do it. :) :) Yay for Amaryllis. :) :) Oh, drool over that Chocolate cake!!! Yum!!

Diane - I've been wearing shorts outside for walks, and it's been about 8C/46F. :) People are wearing coats, and I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts. I'm half Swedish. So maybe that's why. I love twice baked potatoes. YUM!! Making two different meats...you're very kind to those who eat your food. :) Thanks for the info on penstemons. I got it now. :) Until summer comes, and I'm ... Diane ... how do you deadhead penstemons. lol Wow, your penstemons didn't go dormant. Nice winter temps. :) Yes, biennials don't seem to be worth it. Hopefully none of mine in the garden are biennials. Oh, Canterbury Bells are soooo beautiful!! Betty White was a great bloomer with huge blooms. But all season long, every year, the petals were ruined by thrips. I bet you'd love BW, though. The blooms are insanely gorgeous!!! I can see why you've kept your Abe. You have had a lot of patience with that rose...but it was worth it. Gosh, those blooms are stunning!!! And they must be very fragrant!! August Luisa has soooo many different faces. I neeeeeeed mine to do better. :) I can't believe that picture of WBY!!!!! SWOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!! If I didn't know you, I'd swear it was photoshopped. Incredible!!! Wonderful pictures of everything, Diane.

Windowsill - I didn't know cyclamen are scented. That's a nice bonus for such a pretty, happy-looking plant. :) I hope it does well for you. Thanks about my Betty White rose. :) :) I remember it being gorgeous, but frustrating. Definitely not for you, unfortunately, as it's a very big bush. :) I'm not sure. I may pout about our upcoming temperatures and not start a new thread yet. :( lol Seriously? You have flowers already where you live? That's so unfair. I'll repeat...-19C/-2F!!!!! :) :) Okay, I'll stop my ranting....maybe. :)

Susan - that is funny about the forecast. :) I hope the rain isn't too harsh, but instead gives your roses a nice boost. Okay, the pouting is back. :) Ahem...-19C/-2F!!!! I'm laughing over the ridiculousness of that temperature forecast. Booo!

Diane - more rain to hammer in the Tones. That's good. :) Also it lets you leave the rest of the cleanup for another day. Violets should be violet colored, I think. I looked up CdeB, and no...that won't do. Violet-colored flowers belong with violets. :) Just MHO.

This was my Night Owl...the closest I've ever gotten to the color of Diane's purple roses.

An Evelyn bloom from 2016

Here's another dark bloom from Night Owl.

Diane, thanks, it is Kitty!

Kitty, thanks for the chocolate cake recipe. Do you have the chocolate icing recipe, too?

Kentucky,

Chocolate Fudge Frosting (YUM!)

Chcolate Fudge Cake Frosting

Heat chocolate on medium so will not burn.

Strain iinto bowl after heating and cool in fridge an hour. The best fudge icing I ever made! Delectable! Enjoy!

Rosie Friends,

What is your favorite frosting or cake recip? As soon as my diets over!!!!!! INDULGE TIME!

Gotta make this frosting!!!!!! I also have some fruity pancake recips! I’m going on a baking extravaganza!

Diane,

And I want your twice baked potatoes & New York steaks! I have sweet potatoes in fridge I’ll smuther them in real butter & sour cream! Your dinner sounds scrumptous!!!!!! Yummmmmmmmmm! And breathtaki gly beautiful roses posted above! Oooooooo! Aweeeeeeeeee! You know…. just looking at the fuge cake is so tantalizing & satisfying until I can make it again! Dieting is no fun!

😊🥀😇❤️🌺

Carol,

My kids & I have done Zumba at a YMCA & health club! Totally fun, but moves fast! I haveca girl friend who teaches it.

We have been so blessed with mild temps but that ultimately comes back to bite us in the summer. But now, when I am totally out of the mood tor winter, they are forcasting a huge snow storm lol . If we actually get dnow on the valley floor it wont last because day time temps will be in the 40s but it should help the mountains. Kitty, you sold your house? yay!! When are you moving our way ? I got my mew rose potted ( with zero drama ). It is in a pot on my deck so that I can really enjoy it. I got Chantilly Cream and my sister got Golden Oportunity , both from Edmonds. It was her first mail order rose and first bare root. I still want one more potted rose on the deck.

Kitty, thanks for icing recipe. Sounds decadent and sinfully good!

Kitty, I was intrigued with the idea of making a chocolate mousse with cottage cheese and I tried it . Only I used maple syrup instead of honey and boy, is it good! I added a bit of vanilla and some stevia to sweeten it a bit more and I’m enjoying a bowl full right now… smooth, creamy, chocolatey goodness.

I’ve been pruning roses and doing clean up and fertilizing every chance I get lately. Making progress, but still have a long way to go before I can call it done. The spring winds started this morning and I’m not a fan of this level of wind. Hopefully I’ll have some calmer days in which to finish pruning. This morning I was out putting Plant Tone down around the area I finished pruning on Saturday and I had to put my cup down against the ground the dispense the fertilizer or it just blew away.

Kristine, we've had almost the same type winter as you, and our forecast now must have been copied from your forecast, word for word, Snow on one day mostly in the mountains, but down to the valley floor (what a phrase). Then it will promptly melt and temps go right back up. Oh, well. We do have rain starting tonight, but it's mid 50sF right now and will stay rain.

Kitty, wonderful sounding recipe and thanks for sharing it. But can't you just make a great big frosted cake and mail all of us pieces? I'd be happy to send you postage.....Did you sell your house already? I must have somehow missed that, and I read all your posts. I hope it's true, but if not, carry on. You still have time and with all the work you've done on your house, it's gonna sell.

Carol, your Night Owl is a ringer for Carruth's Diamond Eyes, which is a mini version. I grew three of Diamond Eyes, but the blooms didn't show up, were fleeting and miserly in number. I think I shoveled my last one just a few years ago. I love most Carruth roses, but there are a few that were duds for me. Your Evelyn bloom looks beautiful. And now you need more E with the new one coming. And your predicted temp is terrible. I'm afraid Montana is below you, and their temps are terrible, too. No help from them.....Back to penstemon deadheading, I use scissors and grab a bunch of spent stalks for a single cut. Your new plants probably won't be at that point, so you can cut stalks one by one......I think we should grow the violet that looks most like the classic violet, but still smells lovely. This one debuted in 1900, and can be grown from seed, hardiness to zone 5. You can try growing it inside. It's called Queen Charlotte and the seeds are 25 for $4.25 USD. It's quite beautiful and looks just like that antique card of Windowsill's. I think Windowsill should grow it inside, too. If I were to grow it, I'd try a pot or small windowbox on our deck near the house. This violet is taller than the Parmas and would show up better......Now back to frosting and roses. Diane

I post a Blue Bayou pic every so often. That rose is long gone, and can't be purchased in the US.

Boscobel

Front yard, mostly Young Lycidas, Julia, Colette, and Angel Face

Kale

YL and JCs

Diane, I laughed when I saw your last photo. Soooooooo many blooms. If I get half a dozen on a bush at a time, I'm thrilled....... More rain for you........ I wish we'd get a bit more. We got a bit of drizzle recently.

judi, that mousse with cottage cheese sounds intriguing. I used to make chocolate mousse. One year, when my son was about 10, he wanted a dinner party for his birthday. Chocolate mousse was for dessert. I insisted he and his friends ate up the salad of the previous course before they had dessert. I can still see one of them shovelling in the salad! What a mother!

Kristine, Chantilly Lace looks very unusual and interesting. A bit like Carol's favourite - Paradise Found? I would love to be able to get Golden Opportunity.

Kitty, I hope your house has sold, but I don't think you've said so? It's such a stressful time, but you don't seem to be worrying. You seem to take everything in your stride. All the best with it. I love looking at places on the internet and fantasising about living somewhere new, but I don't think I'd want to go through the reality of it again. Plus which, this place has got a lot of things I love. I just wish it was a bit more level! 93 steps is a lot for an old codger.

windowsill, I love the scent of those scented cyclamen. I could smell it when I saw your photo. I am putting a big wish out there that you have a garden one day. I daresay you have too...:)

Carol, 22 laps! I struggled to do two the other day. Sorry to hear about your imminent cold spell. That sounds grim. Loved seeing those photos of Teddy again. He was so cute that he hardly looks real.

I am playing musical roses in my head with my semi-circular raised bed. I am planting it symmetrically. One of the Forget-Me-Nots had to be removed because of dieback. My plan was to remove the other one and replace them both with the Showpiece Berry roses I bought for that pupose. Now, the remaining FMN (Dee-Lish) has suddenly put a spurt on and is looking wonderfully healthy. Schone Maid is also going to be removed because of dieback and I've decided Plum Perfect has to go. This is agony, as I've never had such a healthy, vigorous, nicely shaped and floriferous rose - but I don't like the colour. Perhaps I could spray the blooms....... :) Aaaarrrrgh. I thought of replacing it with James L. Austin, BUT the two Showpiece Berries have to go either side (there's nowhere else for them if FMN stays), and their colour is not what i want next to JLA. I am going quietly mad. I think I have to give up on JLA. There really isn't room anyway. Third world problems....

Trish, just my geezer opinion, but you're maybe overthinking it. Symmetry be d*mned. Keep the roses you like best and don't worry about who they grow next to. What is the matter with Plum Perfect's color? I'm not very familiar with that rose. Is the dieback that disease that's a scourge in Australia? Remember the Phyton? Put the Showpiece Berries together in one big gorgeous clump. If you keep Plum Perfect, you won't be worrying about James L Austin. Is JLA the rose you really want? It is gorgeous in its photos. I hope you get rain, too. We're getting it tonight. I was supposed to do more cleanup today, but it's windy. I can't win. Now I'm doomed to clean up the bathroom, a fate worse than death......How is Rosie doing? Pretty well, I hope, and you, too. Fretting over roses is a sign that you're feeling well, I think. Diane

Diane, you are probably right, but in my head it needs to be symmetrical. Yes, JLA is one I would really like to try, despite me having no success with Austins. I love the colour and bloom form and people here have said it does well for them. However.... at this moment I'm thinking Fred inbetween two FMNs, the two Showpiece Bs infront and the two Tallulahs to stay where they are at the sides. Apart from anything else, that should give me enough room to tend to them without falling 5' onto the stone paving below. The dieback looks horribly like what I had before but without the purple spotting. The canes have died back into the graft, so I should really be ruthless and dig out what's left of Schone Maid now. Thanks, yes, Rosie is still enjoying life, though hanging around like a bad smell as she hasn't been out for a walk yet. I've had several nights of sleeping pretty well and am feeling fighting fit, though when it comes to the test, the fight is pretty short!

I just checked out James L Austin and Plum Perfect. I really liked Plum Perfect, but you don't seem to like the color. JLA's color reminds me of Young Lycidas, though the blooms look different. Who is Fred? You mention him above. I am sorry you have this dieback thing, and you don't have any answers to why dieback? Yes, I would dig out any rose that has dieback. I need to look up Showpiece Berry of the intriguing name. So what about Plum Perfect? I liked the looks of it, but I like Love Song better. Well, good luck with all this, and you'd better have some good photos to show us--ha. Oh, I don't blame you at all for not wanting to move, a blood curdling thought, but I do sympathize with having all those steps. You must be in incredible shape. Diane

Haha, Diane, my shape is incredible - incredibly bad! Also my knees! How can you be asking who Fred is?!! One of your favourites that you no longer have. I have no clue why the dieback. Two roses about 6' apart have/had it, but others are just as close, including PP and are healthy. No, I really, really don't like its colour. Bother.

Trish, I got Chantilly Cream. It is a creamy yellow. I would love to find Paradise Found but so far no luck

Kristine, my mistake. I looked up Chantilly Lace, before. Oh wow, Chantilly Cream is beautiful and I see Ben has a lovely bush of it. and gives it a good wrap. I saw Paradise Found at a local hardware/garden store a couple of years ago and wished I could send it to Carol.

Trish, don't tell me you grow Frederic Mistral? Why didn't I know that? You have been keeping secrets. Could you ship a Fred to Idaho, pleeeez. I'll pay triple. It seems to me that way more desirable roses are sold in Australia than the US. Seriously. And the enthusiasm for rose growing is much greater than here. That I noticed years ago when Ozmelodye talked about attending that massive Melbourne rose show. Then look at the patents for so many most wanted roses that Australia has landed. A little while ago, I checked out that flamboyant stunner, Showpiece Berry. Now that's a rose for me, but I don't think it's sold in the US. Somebody tell me I'm wrong. Diane

The late and much lamented Fred

Diane, I don't have Fred yet. He's to replace Schone Maid, which I chopped down to the ground today. After much deliberation I have settled on Fred - for now! Yours looked so beautiful. I love that shade of pink. I've seen it referred to as Venetian pink. Would you call it that? I like to think I'll have a little bit of Venice in the garden. I wish I could ship it to you. Will dig out SM soon, she says. Probably not tomorrow as it's going to be hot, and Rosie gets preference over gardening for an early morning walk. Bowls has been cancelled. We have roses that are no longer in circulation in the US because we don't get them till years (sometimes decades) after you! And sometimes a few that, for whatever reason, only make it to these and other southern hemisphere shores. Maybe the enthusiasm is greater in other states. There certainly isn't much enthusiasm in Sydney these days. For instance, I've been living in this area for almost 30 years now and I can only remember seeing two roses. One, a rose that looked like it might have been an old China, and the other a poor three quarters dead standard. Both totally neglected. No, I lie - there was a garden in Palm Beach where the fellow was clearly a rose enthusiast, but they're long gone. I did see lots of roses in Esperance in Western Australia. They have a more conducive climate.

Kitty - Oh, so you've done Zumba. It looks like a really good way to keep fit!

Kristine - You're getting the huge snowstorm, too? We've been hit with a little bit of it. It was foggy, snowy and icy when we were out tonight. More snow for tomorrow, then our really cold weather strikes on Wed. Yes, it will be good for the mountains to get snow. That's really good. I'll be looking forward to pics of your Chantilly Cream. :) Mine got downy mildew with many of my roses. I doubt yours would get that...mine had extenuating circumstances. I ditched mine because of the DM. I'm really glad you got one...it's going to be a beauty for you!! Did Kitty sell her house? I must have missed that!

Judi - that sounds like a delicious dessert!! Good job on changing it up and having it still taste good. :) Wow, you're getting winds!! You've certainly worked hard on your garden. And your dessert was a nice reward.

Diane - I think that's a great idea for Kitty to mail us cake slices! :) Oh, that's interesting that my Night Owl blooms look like Diamond Eyes. I got rid of mine for not being fragrant and for having pH problems (my fault). You got rid of your Diamond Eyes for being misery. Oh well, Carruth can't win them all...but he wins most of the time. Yes, I really hope my Evelyn does well. It's an own root rose, though, I think. Thanks for commiserating about my temperatures. Ugh. That's what I'll do for my Penstemons. Good advice. :) Do you mean a violet from my Phoenix Perennial list? I'm done with growing plants from seeds. lol I haven't had good success with that. I googled, and they're very pretty, and you can eat the flowers. :) GAHHHH!! :) :) I adore your garden shots with your fabulous roses!!! JC is a winner, for sure!! I can't choose a favorite picture. It's great to see the entire bushes of your JCs. Boscobel is amazing, too!! I love the Kale...the color and design is intoxicating!! Blue Bayou is sweet...awww :)

Trish - that was a cute birthday story. :) Anyone for more salad? lo That's a LOT of steps!! I feel the same way about our neighborhood. There's a steep downward grade to get to the main road and then it's either up or down from there. And it's a struggle with my darn Achilles, and as I get older. But I don't want to move, I just want everything to be level. lol Twenty-two lengths...is that the same as 22 laps? It was painful with my dratted shoulder, but I persevered and, thankfully, didn't get further damaged. We're going again tomorrow. I know, right? That weather forecast stinks. Awwww, thanks about Teddy. :) :) If you don't like the color of Plum Perfect, then off it goes. There are lots of really good roses. Surround yourself with roses you love. :) Obsessing over things...yup, been there. lol One thing I don't obsess with is roses and perennials. I just plant them, and that's that. If I don't like it, out it goes. Ruthless is my name. :)

Diane - nooooo, not the bathroom!!! There must be a book somewhere, instead. lol Oh, yes...your Fred was very beautiful!! I hope we can both find our unicorn roses. :)

Trish - Oooh...you're going to be brave and try an Austin. The only one I'll ever grow will be Bishop's Castle...other than that, no way. I hope. lol That's good that Rosie is enjoying life. I loved hearing that. :) Ohhhhh!!! You found a Paradise Found in Australia? If wishes were horses....

Kristine - I would love for you to have Paradise Found so I could see your pictures. :) :) Mmmmm :)

Trish - Fred is a very large rose...do you have the space for this beauty? Good job in prepping Schone Maid for removal. That's odd that your area doesn't have many roses. I'm surprised.

Let's meet at the site of the sunny weather for the Spring Seasonal thread.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6552625/spring-wherefore-art-thou-seasonal-thread

Carol, yes, take it easy swimming. Do not overdo it. Sorry to be a nag......When I was hunting for sellers for Paradise Found the other day, I got mixed up with all the sellers of Paradise, an older rose that a lot of people grow and is still sold a lot. I didn't particularly like that rose, but I was judging from the photos. So PF is in Australia, and so is Fred and Black Caviar, also on my list. Trish, can you get Versigny? That's another bucket list rose as well as Eisvogel. Between reading and falling asleep, I evaded the enemy, the bathroom, but it awaits me. And wind and then earlier rain than expected--it's still raining-- messed up my plans to do clean up. The rain prediction was no prediction. They posted whatever popped into their silly weatherperson heads. I meant the violet seeds are available from Select Seeds, and I may try to grow some violets in a pot from seed, but I do not want to eat them. Select also has the Parma violets as plants. I've grown flowers from seed sprinkled into pots pretty successfully, including some snapdragons. I usually wait until May, and they germinate quite quickly. Cosmos is easy, too, and of course, nasturtiums. I probably could overwinter violets in pots on the deck. They're hardy to zone 5. Just what I need--more pots. Tell me again what happened to your previous Evelyn. Thanks about my roses. Things look pretty bleak right now. Some roses are still dropping leaves, and I can't keep the yard and beds totally clear. Have an easy swim tomorrow. Diane

Oddballs Sarah Bernhardt peony and mini rose with ugly gone now fence

How did I find this? I'm not sure if this is petunias or calibrachoa

One of many Evelyn clumps

Forget Me Nots, the real thing not false

Antique pink peony. I still don't know the name.

Diane - We decided not to go swimming. The roads are a mess with all the snow we got. I guess you and I need to move to Australia to get the roses we want. lol Oooh...Versigny...that's on my list, too. Good job evading the bathroom. :) I think that would be lovely for you to grow violets from seeds. Yes, eating flowers...not so much. :) I can't quite remember what happened to my Evelyn. It could have been the Great Garage Die Off. It had been doing well for me...so that must have been what happened. Your garden will rally; have no fear. Oooooh!!! Lovely flowers!!!!!! The unknown peony and the 4th picture (Evelyn) are my faves. SWOOOOON!!! Sarah is divine, as usual...you can't take a bad picture of that peony. The petunias (?) gah!!!! Wonderful!!!

Gorgeous roses, Friends!

To End this winter thread!

My snow is melting! Soring is coming! YAY!

@judijunebugarizonazn8

Hi, Judi,

I’m glad you enjoyed the Chcolate Mousses -Cottage Cheese Treat! Loving mousses with cottage cheese treats!

What??? lol Kitty, your snow is melting, and we're stuck in this deep freeze of -36C/-33F h*ll? lol

That's good, though. :)

Carol, -33F, WOW! Really? That’s unbelievanly Brrrrrr! You need to stay i side & bake! Maybe sime chocolare chip cookies! Mmmmmmm!

We went to a movie. I don't think they heated the room. lol We were frozen. Then it was super cold outside too. Fun lol

Carol,

A movie still sounds great! Sorry it’s still so cold! I thinking baking would be heavenly! Maybe some hot chocolate, too!

THIS LAST WEEK IF FEB. while it’s still kinda cold:

I’m still cleaning out the house , soooooo no fun movies for me yet! I cleaned out book collections today & some closet’s trash. .. All home closets & dresser drawers are cleaned now. Woohoo! I am donating food & reading books to a neighbor that home schools her 5 children. i home schooled my 3 children & owned a preschool, so I have tons of classic books for children to read. I have another 10 bags of stuff for Salvation Army next Tuesday-bagged up.

My last inside projects this FEB week:

I have attic books/trash to clean out and boxes in basement to remove.

I have paint trim to finish in master bedroom ceiling-then done! I may take all hall pictures down in hallway, & plaster nail holes & touch up paint there, too.

MARCH

I will be touching up paint in kitchen, too, in first week of March.

March 1st I will start improving gardening projects, too. ! And I will box up a few things in home that are now in bags.

FUN!

Also, giving a few MK Spa facials inbetween home projects!

When I finish these projects I’m going to celebrate-BAKE some desserts and go out to lunch with a friend 1st week in March!

Sooooo excited to finish home projects! ————————————-

WINTER RENNOVATIONS

Looking back this winter at my projects:

new 1/4 of roof, new chimney remodeling/piping, new gas pipe in front lawn, bathroom ceiling renovation & complete plaster & painting, master bedroom closet plaster/painting, master bedroom paint ceiling & couple walls touch-up painting. Finished painting 1 wall in dining room.

The only rooms not freshly painted are kitchen & adjoining butler pantry-so will do next in March. .

Kitty - Your collection of books is ideal for your homeschooling neighbor. Bonus for her! You owned a preschool? You have done so many things in your life. Wow! Do you ever get tired? lol I barely do anything compared to you. :) You are a whirling dervish!!

Carol,

Thank you! Simply a teacher in my past…. you are an amazing rosarian. You raised 2 beautiful children! I’m just busy for now.

Happy Spring! It’s on it’s way!

Happy Spring!!! Best of wishes for selling your house. :)