Paul! You always sound sad when I come across your thoughts (the end of your blog, some of your thoughts here). You have given wonderful gifts to humanity that will extend well beyond your lifetime. Vocation and career/financial compensation do not always coincide (nor are they meant to), and vocations also have seasons; it's okay to rest. I am a 35-year-old who has recently become possessed by growing roses, specifically the old fragrant ones, especially cream colors. I will help carry the torch until the flames of popularity are fanned again. I have an inkling the young ones ("crystal children") just coming of age who love the old clothes and hairstyles will bring about a rose renaissance in their 40s, but that's just my guess. (I had NO IDEA the English and old garden roses I was in love with all over Pinterest for my wedding could actually be grown in my garden, for instance.) Take heart! All is not lost.

Allegra is so successful I worried about letting her stay in the spot I put her - I see serious pruning in her future. She was a band two years ago, in the ground last July, minimal protection last winter, and she more than tripled in size this year. The buds never opened - bad timing, with a mild early spring and then a late hard frost just when they were coloring and the tips were opening. Siren's Keep, band in May 09 and in the ground last July, same minimal protection, I even broke one of the baby canes putting it in, so splinted it with a twig and electrical tape, and that cane blossomed this year! So - for southern NH zone 5, not bad.

@User I have no idea about Paul's inspiration for the name 'Incantation', but I'll tell you it's a magical rose, lol. It can look like a different rose every flush, but lovely in every incarnation. Its color and shading seems to be very responsive (sensitive?) to temperature, and the plant loves heat. The blooms range from pink with a picotee edge to mottled pink to cerise. It's totally BS free for me (a miracle), and blooms its silly head off. The first flush almost completely covers the foliage. It will do it again and again if I remember to fertilize it on time, lol. I now officially have more roses than I can take care of, but I do try to dote on this one a bit. It's one of the few roses planted near the front door.

Wow Sheila, your Paul's are stunning. I especially love Song of Stars, cool name. Jasmine, I'm sure it would be fine in a pot . Mine was in one for quite some time before I found a place in the garden for it. It is just a perfect red bloom. This is year two and its buds now are fully double but small it's so cute. It has no yellow leaves no wilty leaves it's just an ideal little rose and it's only going to be about 24". Because it's not going to be jai normous it's a good size to tuck into empty spot so I may get a couple more I really like this little rose.