Poor little things were so small & spindly, but still trying to push blooms. Many of them were just a couple of inches from the ground, and I had to lie on the ground in the mulch to get pics. Glad there were no visitors on the test grounds, which are hidden at the back of the garden in no man's land. The test grounds are a no-spray area. One can only imagine how large & glorious these would be if offered some sort of protection.

Bishop's Castle

Eglantyne

Golden Celebration (yes, it WAS cold enough to have gloves on)

Harlow Carr

Teasing Georgia

The signs in the test beds regarding the Austins said that they would remain in this section for a three-year evaluation period, with results possible forthcoming in 2013. That leads me to believe that all of these were most likely planted just this year. They did all look very young. The entire section was protected from deer by an electric fence, so the damage is probably either from disease or putrid bunnies.

---Laura