I remember those days. What wonderful fun! For me the mad buying of roses was a stage, though certainly one that lasted many years. I tend to do that with all my hobbies -- lots of fabric when I sew, lots of wool when I knit, lots of plants when I garden. By definition we enthusiasts are nothing if not enthusiastic. The one that has lasted all my life long is books. These days I have been going through a process of deleting roses. I saw clearly that I had too many for me, not so much because of the space (I could have squeezed in even more), but for the limits of time and the water I could give them. Some people never run into their limits but others of us do. I am content, actually even relieved with this new situation. I do still have a few roses on order (all but one long standing) and places set aside for them. However I suspect a few more will go over the next 2 or 3 years. I have my eye on a short list. Will I ever buy another rose? Probably, but I do believe my days of wholesale acquisition are done, at least until the time comes that I create new garden somewhere else. I do not anticipate that happening anytime soon. In the interests of full disclosure I should mention that I have planted a lot of trees this past year..... It's really about the pleasure your garden brings you rather than the number of roses you grow. I'll bet you already knew that. I wish you much joy in the garden! Folly This post was edited by rosefolly on Tue, Feb 11, 14 at 20:33

Roxana: Here in zone 5a, folks use Rugosa as hedge-rose & they are round & dense & bushy & drought-tolerant. I saw many Rugosa cheap as body-bags-bare root at Menards today. These have 7 to 9 tiny-leaflet pattern & lighter green leaves, and NOT 5 large leaflets like modern roses. From the web: "Rugosa is from the Latin word “rugose,” meaning wrinkled. Rugosa leaves are textured with a fine quilting that gives the foliage depth and richness." Rugosa are the 1st to leaf out early spring, next are Austin roses. But Austin roses don't have the dense & nice round shrubs like Rugosa. However, in zone 5, Rugosas tend to be wider than tall, and occupy lots of space. The best TALL hedge I have seen at Chicago Botanical garden are John Cabot roses, more stunning in blooms than Rugosa, or any Austin roses: http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.1931&tab=1 Arching, armed with thorns / prickles. Light green foliage. Height of 5' to 8' (150 to 245 cm). Width of up to 10' (up to 305 cm). USDA zone 2b. Very hardy. Anne M Northwestern Ontario, Canada, USDA Zone 2, I have had John Cabot for over 6 years, and due to health problems, the last 4 in total neglect (no water, no weeding). Still growing, this past summer bloomed wonderfully. Completely disease free, and even the Japanese Beetles didn't bother it. In my area, I have cold (long)winters, and July/part Aug the temps can get up into the high nineties(F) with high humidity. That's the beauty of the Explorer roses - not only can they withstand cold, they also do well in heat & humidity. My roses don't get winter protection of any sort, and I use no chemicals whatsoever. I would personally recommend this rose to anyone, no matter what zone."Anne M

I don't have 1 favorite. All the ones I'm going to list are absolute bloom factories with good to great form. Most have been mentioned above. Best smeller: Overnight Scentsation--medium pink (Scentsation is even somewhat more fragrant (lavender-pink) but is leggier with fleeting form) Linville--georgious soft white with blushing centers Pierrine--pale salmon-pink, top show form Salute--deep red, 2004(?) Award of Excellence winner Hot Tamale--flaming orange,yellow,and pink combo, perfect form Loving Touch--soft apricot, I like it even better than Jean Keneally Minnie Pearl--pale pink with medium-pink shadings, another top show-form rose.

R: I just got my newsletter with this information, also. Too bad I don't have any more room in my greenhouse ! And we were just there ! Why couldn't they have the sale THEN ? p.s. the milk is $6.00 per gallon patty