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.

Well, I am back from my trip and recovering from a 13 hour car ride with a six month old, 3 year old, four year old, and six year old! It was a whirlwind. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to spend much time at RVR, but I was there for about 30 minutes. I was with my sister (who kindly entertained all the children in the car while I walked around). When we pulled up the drive and I saw all the roses draping over every surface in full bloom I began rhapsodizing, and she said, "I don't like these kind of roses. They are too messy looking." ARGHHHHHH!!!!!! So, I thought for sure the pictures I took would be stunning because the garden was so beautiful. Alas, they are not. They don't even begin to capture the beauty of so many OGRs, climbers, and shrub roses in the height of full bloom, on top of a hill, under a perfect blue sky on a warm 80 degree day. Oh well. As a true rose addict, I understand that it doesn't matter. I wandered around the gardens alone for 20 minutes or so, then chatted with the owner, Janet for a few minutes, but then had to go. I only purchased the original 12 roses I ordered. If I had more time, I would have easily spent $500! I plan to visit the nursery every time I visit the area. Janet had quite a good selection of larger size roses. Next time I think I will purchase some of those as well. I love this garden because it is a little bit wild. You have to stoop and bend to get through some of the paths - the roses are huge and very healthy. Here is a picture of the roses in transport. On my way back to Seattle, we stopped at the Portland rose garden. It was very crowded, and when I lifted up the back door of the minivan, people were admiring the roses. Some walked by with knowing smiles. It was funny. You could really tell the rose addicts, they were hovering around certain roses taking shots at all angles with serious expressions on their faces! Well, I really wanted to post a pic as well of the bands up close so you could see what they are like, but my camera broke. I will have to take pics tomorrow with another camera. Hope you all enjoyed these pictures, and I hope there weren't too many. Andrea

Hi Strawberryhill: I wonder where Khalid is??? It seems slightly cooler than here but close. I attempted Abbaye de Cluny about 8 years ago; she always looked ivory, and then burned horribly in late May. Instead I grew Brandy and Just Joey, which did not have the attributes of ADC, but they held color and did not burn. I usually look to the Phoenix gardeners to see if something can take the heat because I have found that 105 degrees is very different than 115, or 121, and AZ is one place I have found that deals with extreme heat and even more persistent high temperatures that relentlessly delve near or into the 120's. July and August are our brutal months. It hit 122 in the city yesterday and it is still June. It is often in the 100's beyond midnight, was already 95 at 7 a.m. Wednesday, but all of this is coupled with drought conditions. The one hundred teens to 120's are the norm for 2+ months straight; it is dreadful. It would be great to discover other specific places that also deal with the heat and drought as we do because their plant selections could be more suitable for my area. This is an odd place to garden. Unlike Phoenix, it gets too cold to grow cactus without winter protection. Las Vegas could be a top contender for the "where not to live" places if you are an avid gardener and want to grow a wide range of annuals, perennials, roses and other plants in a garden. I read the thread, and saw the lovely photos and am eyeing Excellenz von Schubert... again... that is if we move. The Marie Pave took my breath away. There is also an abundance of information that I really need to siphon through and decipher in terms of my situation; especially related to the horse manure and termites. We do not have big termite issues here; unlike California, a termite inspection with a home purchase was standard protocol, but we could be moving my newly purchased and potted roses to the PNW, and that changes things. I really appreciate your advice because it is fundamental and I believe wise as the focus should also be the biological environment inclusive of soil and its components. I have a hunch that your input and advice may prove to be invaluable for me. This post was edited by desertgarden561 on Sun, Jun 30, 13 at 16:18

My Jeri Jennings is growing in dappled light all day. It's only two, so it's at the "creep" stage but healthy, blooming and growing well. Very happy with it. It would probably be larger in more sunlight, but like you, I've already allocated the sunshine spots. Good luck and thanks for sharing the lovely description of RVR. I haven't been able to get down there this year and I love the location of the stunning garden.