A couple of things: Yes, it is a real shame that vendors around the world continued to sell this rose under both names for so many years after the supposed 'Irene Watts' (from Sangerhausen) sported back to the white 'Gruss an Aachen' in the garden at Mottisfont. That one plant (in a group of three - there is no 'bed' of 'Irene Watts' here) was subsequently labelled as "Pink Gruss an Aachen (Irene Watts)", and the two UK nurseries it was given to informed (Mottisfont does not sell its own roses). All the roses from Sangerhausen which came to Graham Thomas or Mottisfont unlabelled or mis-identified were given freely to nurseries - several remain questionable. There is no 'curator' at Mottisfont - just the Head Gardener who has been there for thirty years. Kim Rupert wrote on this Forum when the note that now appears on 'HelpMeFind' was first published that he is not 'a botanist for the Huntingdon', nor has any genetic testing/tissue culture been carried out. He, like many other good rosarians, noticed and questioned the mistake. I am sure that the rose amateurs who carry out this sort of 'research' are well-meaning, but in these days of the internet and email it is not really that hard to ask the people concerned. The information is out there. I guess meanwhile I shall have to repeat this every year when the question comes up :) Peter Beales, by the way, has repeatedly tried to find and source the 'real' Irene Watts from around the World. You would be surprised at the number of contenders that appear from all corners of the Earth! None have yet proved to be significantly different - though as all who grow her know - she assumes many shapes, shades and styles in different climates and seasons. Best wishes Jon

I have had carnation in TX for about 5 years. Wonderful small blooms that truly do look like a carnation. They are planted in the H*L%strip - right next to the street. They are indeed on the small side - 3 ft is about as big as mine have ever gotten. It is a slow starter but one of my favorite. No fragrance that I have noted. I believe I have pics on HelpMeFind.

Yes, Ingrid -- We all think it is an HP . . . But WHAT HP it is, we don't know. Here's an article on the rose. As you'll see, the color is quite variable -- blooms can be anywhere from Jackie's "candy pink" to a true fuchsia ... depending upon environmental conditions. Plant them side-by-side, and they all bloom alike. http://www.goldcoastrose.org/articles/tromn.pdf

It's an ingenious system that uses natural resources and no energy, other than that of the people taking the water out of the tank, I suppose, unless it's somehow connected to hoses. I've often thought there should be a way in dry places like southern California to save the water that runs off all those paved surfaces, which must be many millions of gallons with every rainfall. Speaking of which, we are being blessed with a rain storm, the nicest Christmas present I can imagine.