>And I've heard that sometimes Ghislaine de Feligonde needs spraying in certain areas. But I still think it's really pretty. I still haven't ruled it out for another empty spot in the yard. Do you grow it? Is it doing well for you? Thanks Mary. I think it would be good for your other spot too. I've been growing it (still in its original pot) for the longest time... almost 2 months now. So I'm really an expert on that rose!!! :D But anyway, so far it's absolutely perfectly healthy in maybe four or four and a half hours of midday sun here on hold awaiting planting. Perfectly healthy, in spite of the times when I've watered too late and in spite of some bits of rainfall lasting off and on all night or most of the night (like last night). It's a vigorous grower (similar to Fortuniana here bought at the same time--both in 2-gallon pots) and needs to go into the ground, but I'm not planting any of the new ones in the new spot until I'm fairly certain that the spread of RRD among the pot ghetto of new roses has stopped... and unfortunately I'm not at all certain of that at this point. My book by Barbara Wilde speculates that more people would have heard of and tried this rose if it just had some more prosiac name like "Carefree Garland." Peter Beales says "I can't think of a good reason why this rose has not gained the popularity it deserves." Beales lists it as shade tolerant enough to be planted on a north wall or northerly aspect. For me, one of the attractions for this rose is its appeal as a shrub/climber in the landscape. Fragrant prolific blooms that are cuttable are a plus. As far as no-spray goes, I'd think that the most pertinent experience would be from someone in your own area who has tried it, even though I'm seeing writers from widely different areas who think it's strongly disease-resistant. I'd also think that if someone trying it does use chemicals on other nearby plants, that that practice might have an effect on the overall health of the healthy soil balance of micro organisms that the plant depends on to make its own disease-protection systems work. Judging from the information I've seen from Paul Zimmerman, a more pertinent question for local rosarians might be about the disease-resistant conditions of the plant in year three or four of growing in a no disease spray yard, not in year one. If plants are left alone in a no-spray yard to develop their own disease resistance, it might take 1-3 years to accomplish that. But by year four, if the grower isn't feeling comfortable that its looks/health are acceptable and an asset to the yard, then you might chalk it up to a rose that doesn't meet your standards for good disease resistance and not try it, or get rid of it if you've had it that long. That said, sometimes a rose is just so disease resistant that it seems healthy from day one in an organically oriented yard. Like Mortimer Sackler, this rose might be one of those kinds. Anyway, I'm thrilled to have a Ghislaine De Feligonde and if it goes to RRD, I'll for sure be ordering it again. Best wishes, Mary

Wow wow wow! Thanks everybody for all the suggestions... and the gorgeous pictures! I'll research all the strains mentioned, although just a reminder that I'm in Maryland where BS seems to be extra bad (I havent heard of a few of these before, which makes me wonder whether they do well around here). Btw, in searching this site's archives I did find a list that "Olga" posted a couple of years ago, which included both New Dawn and Awakening as ones which do pretty well around here. I'd welcome further thoughts, though! As to that picket fence, Betty - I wish I could paint it or something but, alas, it's not mine - that's the neighbours house (we're on a hill that direction, thus their grade is about 5-7ft higher than ours). REally, all I can hope to do is grow over it :) Mandi, as for bushy: I realise it will take some time - I'm assuming (hoping?) that over the next 4-5 years the plants I put in now will do their thing and be covering up that fence a little more each year. If the canes want to grow up, what happens if you peg them over as they get long enough, so they spread out and mound a bit more? To add to my questions: what about Mermaid? Another weed-riddled and miserable corner (jungle!) along the back fence is being cleared as we speak (I gave up on that one and got some college lads with chainsaws and better heat tolerance than I have to come and do it for me). A huge mounding mass of something I LIKE and that would hopefully over time compete with the brush that seems to want to grow there would be awesome. I saw some pictures of Mermaid (also on Olga's list as doing quite well in these parts) and it got me to thinking about a way of making that ugly corner prettier but relatively easy to maintain..... :) Thank you everybody SO SO MUCH! Keep those ideas coming!

There are a LOT of minis that do well in Texas. I thought I was the only person that liked minis more than standard roses. I'm kind of particular I guess. I like minis,climbers and arching roses more than any other kind. The shrubs have pretty individual flowers for cutting but the shrub isn't that great looking to me. 'Apricot Sunblaze' 'Autumn Sunblaze' 'Cherry Sunblaze' 'Child's Play' 'Cupcake' 'Crackling Fire' 'Golden Sunblaze' 'Green Ice' 'Hot Tamale' 'Lavender Sunblaze' 'Little Buckaroo' 'Mandarin Sunblaze' 'Natchez' 'Pacesetter' 'Pinstripe' 'Rainbow's End' 'Rise 'N' Shine' 'Rocketeer' 'Salmon Sunblaze' 'Shooting Star' 'Sundrop' 'Sun Sprinkles' 'Sweet Nothings' 'Tropical Twist' 'Very Cherry' 'Wild Plum' These are all sold at Weston Gardens and do well in Texas. PJ Here is a link that might be useful: Weston Gardens

I would suggest Mme Alfred Carriere, Ghislaine de Feligonde or her pink sport. All have the additional advantage of being lower thorn. I would agree with Mad that depending on total light you may be fighting a hard battle. That is why I ask about the wall's height and how much shade/sun it receives during the summer months. I'd try it out, but not expect a miracle. Those mentioned have done well and remained healthy in quite shady spots, but do receive some sun, especially in the spring before the trees leaf out. You will need more than one season to see how well they grow and bloom, however, so give them time unless it's obvious they're growing backwards.