You may try Climbing Soaring Spirits. That rose is thrilling in my garden -- I live also in North West (Portland, Oregon). Soaring Spirits flowers similar to Fourth of July with double color flowers. However, it's flowers does not give so striking (focus) effect as Fourth of July. Instead they give a much more calming effect, with creamy flowers against the beautiful green leaves. This is the only rose in my garden that looked beautiful with green leaves (as my camellias) up to the middle of January (the freezing nights a couple of weeks ago week put it finally to sleep). I think Soaring Spirits complements woderfully Fourth of July, by adding the beautiful foliage (the foliage of my Fourth of July is not great at all) and the calming effect. Below is a link to the place where I bought my Soaring Spirits. Here is a link that might be useful: Edmunds roses

I'm just north of Concord NH. My new perennial bed looked great in spring when the bulbs were blooming but then when thru a dull spell. Now it's showing promise. I had hoped it would be showy for 4th of July company but, oh well. Full sun: several different yarrows beginning including the new all red one, echinacae (one bud blooming, the rest getting ready), clary sage (won't grow again, I remember this biennial as taller and fragrant, this is a dud), shastas, day lilies and one newly planted lupine is putting up a flower stalk. Semi-shaded garden: feverfew, day lilies, primroses (afternoon sun) and spirea just finishing, fringed bleeding heart continuing, hostas putting out flower stalks, monarda just beginning. Palace purple heurchera putting out flower stalk. Perennial yellow foxglove. In addition to late planted annuals, self-sown dark red poppy and calendula (some Flashback) blooming here and there. Old herb bed: nepeta mussini (catmint), lamb's ears. It looks like the astilbe transplanted in 2007 when we moved is being choked out. There are in what was supposed to be a temporary holding bed. I'm behind!

What terrific pics, pianoman, hoovb and sachow! Intriguing! I wonder if my baby will ever look like that? And I wonder if it will be flexible enough to tie horizontally? I didn't realize it would get that tall and as it is in front of my front deck, I don't want it to get so tall either. I have Illusion planted in front of mine, and am still planning to get a cream or apricot colored rose to go next to Illusion. Hmmm...difficult to get the spacing right. Brandy

We are having a pig roast at the park where Denny works... Our pastor and his brother are spending the night in the park and cooking the pig...We are all bringing a side dish and deserts and other meat if we don't want to eat the pig. The plan is to eat at noon. Then later in the day my kids will be coming over...Carri, my middle daughter is bringing a friend and her hubby and kids...So we have about 20 there with fireworks...It should be a fun day. patti