Do you have a trick for keeping away japanese beetles and that green worm? (just hoping ;-)

They are just gorgeous! I'm sure they'll be just as wonderful next year too.

Thanks GottaGarden -

I use Milky Spore to kill the Japanese Beetle grubs and they never have a chance to turn into beetles. One application can last for many many years....it's basically a disease that is only affected by the Japanese Beetle grubs. You can also apply beneficial nemotodes to the lawn and garden as well. That will kill all grubs, but needs to be applied every year in the late Spring. Both are all natural and safe for use around pets and children. Occasionally a JP might fly in from a neighbor's yard and I just hand pick those and put them in soapy water (or even just a plain old bucket of water)...last year I saw only 1-2 JPs...this year a couple more, but nothing like I had before.

As for the little green worm, I have only seen one this year and it wasn't eating the leaf...maybe because I did use a systemic insecticide rose food.

absolutely beautiful!

And I can't believe you got them from Christmas Tree! I've been to the ones in Massachusetts - *grin* I'll have to travel a bit to Mattydale next year.

Rini

Rini - If you get a chance, check out their ads online before you come. I believe their site is www.christmastreeshops.com. I am almost positive they advertised them in the ad. I bought these way back in late March and had to store them until planting time....so you really gotta get there early. I put them in a box with packing peanuts all around them and put paper bags over the canes and kept them in our unheated shed until it got warm enough to plant. I just love CTS...it's a fabulous store and worth the drive...especially at holiday time and after February...hint...they usually have lawn and garden stuff out starting then and it is really cheap because it might be last years stuff. Once the new stuff comes in, it's still pretty cheap, but cheaper is always better....:)