The All-America Rose Selection committee is a non-profit association of rose growers and introducers dedicated to the introduction and promotion of exceptional roses. AARS operates a nationwide network of 20 official test gardens located throughout the country which represent all climate zones in the U.S.

New rose varieties in the AARS trials are grown and monitored for two years, receiving only as much care as would be given in the average home garden. This sophisticated evaluation process results in a new crop of AARS winning roses each year, guaranteeing that only the best make it into your garden. The winners for 2008 are 'Dream Come True' and 'Mardi Gras.'

'Dream Come True' is a stunning grandiflora with catchy colors that will lure the likes of even non-rose lovers to its side. This rose produces flawlessly formed yellow blossoms, blushed with ruby-red at the tips, all set among abundant matte-green foliage. The big, bushy vigorous plant yields long-stemmed, long-lived blooms with mild tea fragrance, making it lovely in the landscape and a great choice for bouquets.

'Mardi Gras' creates a festive atmosphere with flamboyant blooms in a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent. Each high-centered hybrid tea-style bloom on this floribunda begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 4-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed on an upright, columnar-branched plant with dark green, semi-glossy foliage.

These are two of the most beautiful selections to be introduced in quite some time. We invite you to come in and see all of the new selections we are stocking for the 2008 rose season.

Street trees give us shelter from the wind, privacy from the roads, and shade from the sun--and at the same time add diversity to our yards. Without them our streets and neighborhoods would be much less attractive and comfortable. Street trees are a vital part of every town or city's infrastructure, contributing energy savings, filtering storm water runoff and enhancing property values.

When planting a street tree, consider the particular site where the tree will be planted. Ask these five questions before you select and plant your tree:

1. What is the ground width between the street and the sidewalk?
2. Are above- or below-ground utilities present?
3. Will the tree growth interfere with street signs or lighting?
4. What is the soil type of the site?
5. Is water readily available or will it have to be brought to the tree?

Taking time to answer these questions will help prevent headaches later. Trees planted in the wrong sites will uplift sidewalks, become tangled in power lines, obstruct throughways, and become unhealthy and unattractive over the years. Matching the right tree to your particular site is the best way to guarantee its success.

We stock a great selection of shade trees for most street settings along with the products you need for planting, including root barriers, stakes and tree ties. As with all recommendations, you might check with your local city planning office and also inquire if a permit is required before planting. Many local communities have an approved Master Street Tree Plan that you must follow.

No matter what, choose a tree you will care for and appreciate and enjoy for its unique characteristics. Once planted, make maintaining your tree a top priority. Healthy trees add to the beauty of your yard and improve the quality of the environment not only for people, but also for birds and animals.

As always, our staff of nursery professionals is available to help you make the right selection for your home.