Yes Paul but do they have the same vigor, ability to grow well on their own roots, tight OGR flower form, large bloom size, and unique peachy-sweet fragrance? The only other rose I've seen that approaches the perfection of her luminous blossoms is JAUNE DESPREZ and that monster has smaller flowers. I know you rate ABRAHAM DARBY higher but the color of its blossoms appear a little "grayed" to my eyes. EVELYN is terribly fussy though. You've got to grow this goddess where she'll be shaded from afternoon sun. Prone to black spot here in the East and demands the best growing conditions: Eastern location, heavy feeding, frequent watering, careful pruning, spraying, the works. For the novice I recommend TAMORA instead. The clarity of the apricot color is actually better (but frankly I prefer Evelyn's blend of pinks and peaches) and the growth habit is more universily acceptable. Nice fragrance, reliable repeat, decent disease resistance. One of my MIL's favorite roses (she grew it in a big pot on her patio). But give me EVELYN. Those blooms! Here is a link that might be useful: The Most Beautiful Rose in the World

An update. The vast majority of the garlic mustard is gone...what a job that was! My DH even began to help me, it was that bad. A photo of the plant that looked like lamb's ear or rose campion. The grey colour doesn't seem to be as predominant. Aconitum (Monkshood) I don't think this is Trollius because there aren't any buds. Centaurea montana next to a poppy. The 'oregano plant' One small bed before and after photo. There are six beds this size and a large bed about 20' wide by 40' long, plus about 15 shrubs in their own beds and all of these beds were overgrown with garlic mustard. You can see one edge of the large bed in the photo below and a few of the shrubs in the background.

Yes, I have many of these thoughts in my mind. I do know from seeing this house in unseasonably warm Fall/winter weather that there are many, many peonies, a few very mature roses, (which are my passion, and i will finally have more sun!!) as well as grapes and currant bushes. There are hostas, daisies, and other things I can identify, as well as the mystery things and empty spaces that I know had died down before we saw the house. The children of the past owners gave me some rundown of what was out there, and much of it was well attended to, though the yard itself is hard to navigate and cut up by too many square beds and fences, which is not my taste. There is a nice herb bed, which I think can be saved. Basically the existing plants are going to be moved (except for the roses... they will be intermixed with mine) and the whole yard will be redone by removing and reorienting hairpin fencing, changing brick walkways and trying to soften the straight flagstone, brick and concrete pathways. We have an old, old, greenhouse that needs renovating in the middle of the yard, but it will stay. Lovely brick floor in the front portion and cement in the second room, which will be a studio space. Needs glass in many spots as well as the roof, which I guess due to time and age of the owner was eventually covered. The original wood rails that held the glass are there, so these will act as a template to help us rebuild. It is going to be the job of the century for us on a shoestring, but I am up to the challenge. Months before ever looking for a house, I began moving my roses and other plants to my parents yard, who graciously allowed me to dig up many new spaces. My last garden was another project of the century at an apartment that had been neglected for many years. I put a ton of work into it, and think the current tenants will enjoy and save some of the work I did, as well as divide plants for me when the season is appropriate. We built new raised veggie beds there together just last spring, and I shared many of my plants over the years with neighbors, so I think I can do the same here, as well as get some of my favorites back through division from past people I shared with. I totally agree that trying to save a past garden is a hard thing to do. And changes to suit ones tastes are so important. But, I think that during the time spent at my apartment taught me it was worth it, where I unearthed a rock garden that had seen way better days but still had winter and spring bloomers that came up every year. The rocks were buried below the ground in most spots from mowing over them and general yard neglect, but I like that I was able to revive some of the original owners intent. I was working most recently with a great woman who had moved in last winter and started working with me, moving and dividing plants through the yard and building new beds, and I think she has an interest in saving some of my old garden, where we had begun mixing our plants together. We only live a couple/few blocks apart right now, so I think I will be sharing the plants here with her and my new gardening neighbor across the street, and hopefully everyone will get a little bit of everything once the time is right. We have a ton of renovation inside and out to do here, but I have pots and pots of plants that I brought, and divided plants living at parents and friends places, so hopefully one day I'll have the vision I'm looking for, as well as many plants I have been struggling to grow for years at my old, less than full sun spot, that will now thrive! :-) All exciting prospects! Even the horseradish is exciting! Lol! I totally will heed your advice, ken_arian, as I do agree and know that things here are not at all well placed and need softer lines and paths. But hopefully come early spring I'll have tons of new stuff to share with everyone! (and willing helpers I've been helpful and generous to with their gardens and plants to do some digging and construction, LOL!) Merlcat

Until just recently it seemed impossible to find a rose with both qualities. Then for us northerners we have to add hardy to the mix. Mind boggling at times. In twenty years I've tossed more varieties than most hybridizers have created. At last I've finally gotten pretty good at knowing what will and will not work here. Add that some breeders are testing roses in more environments helps a lot. My latest quest is to find a few roses with large many petaled blooms, continuous bloom, with excellent health and flowers that last a long time and will open without trouble in my yard. Ha, if you have one of those please share the name. I will do the same. I think I may have a few of these. It's to early to celebrate yet thou. This year will be a good hardiness test. Zero protection and no snow cover and hit -14 degrees F.