March weather can be fickle, but a pattern seems to be emerging over the past few years. Early in the month it's a fair bit warmer than usual. But then mid-month the switch gets flipped and the latter half of the month is colder than usual. It's happening again right now. Next 5 days will average 5 degrees below average, and the next 15 days are projected to be 2 degrees colder than average. Not too extreme thankfully, but seeing the colder weather again is mentally difficult to take. To add insult to injury, early Friday morning (today is Monday) we're projected to see one inch of snow. Lovely.

Forsythia bushes are almost starting to leaf out. This may set things back a ways.

Classic HT rose with few thorns. Fruity scented orange blooms with sometime pinkish ting in cold weather .

I just couldn't resist temptation when I saw that J&P was offering 30 roses for 30% off. Some good ones too. So I am adding 3 new varieties that I don't already have (April Moon, Elegant Lady {nee Princess Diana of Wales}, and Simply Magnificent), plus one that I already have and love (Soft Whisper). These will all be potted up as possible replacements for those roses "not putting out." If no candidates emerge, I know from experience with Ring of Fire that I can overwinter the pots in the unheated garage and they will come back like gangbusters the following Spring. Including shipping ($30) and Sales Tax ($11.37), the total order works out to $153.17, or $38.29 per bush. The 30% off saved me $47.91. So a little better deal than free shipping.

Valentine floribunda is heat tolerant rose and produce satisfactory blooms even in under hot scorching weather without too much quality reduction .