I put one in the ground, the rest (24) are in pots. All are own-roots. Firefighter from Rose Unlimited has 5 big buds! The first bloom lasts forever - its sweet rose scent is heavenly even in bud form. I fell in love with both its vibrant red color, and the scent. I can see why people have more than one Firefighter, including me.

Sonia Rykiel lives up to the fragrance of raspberry rose. Hasn't opened fully yet, but the scent is delicious in bud form. The nursery sent me Girona by mistake. I love this pink/yellow blend from Spain. Girona laughs at both the strong wind and the spring frosts here, strong damask/sweet scent. The blooms started out as pinkish orange, then faded to deep yellow (still pretty when faded).

I'm very impressed with how large Koko Loco is getting as a 2nd year plant this spring. No buds open yet, but as a baby it bloomed quite a few times last year, so this year should be spectacular. It really is beautiful.

A surprise for me was getting a Night Owl climber by mistake instead of the New Zealand I ordered. I'm growing quite fond of Night Owl. It should be blooming by the end of this week/early next week. With the cool temps, I'm looking forward to some lovely, dark blooms.

Ah - my flush is just starting, so my motor is going! Miss All Americal Beauty is at her best during spring flush - repeats all year, but this is her time. Big healthy bush covered with giant dark hot pink blousy blooms. Bolero's first few blooms have been absolutly perfect. Mary Rose in her 2nd year is COVERED, and exploding in blooms. Honey Dijon is covered in buds and about to start her spectacular show. Angel Face is also covered in the most amazing fragranced blooms. Ovcr the winter I forgot how awesome Double Delight and Heirloom were both visually and in fragrance. Mmmmmm. Body bag climbers from last year are also exploding (only word that really fits what is going on now - exploding!) - St. Joesphs Coat, c. Blaze, cl. America, cl. Royal Highness, cl. Pink Don Juan - all climbing and blooming like gangbusters. I'm waiting on Just Joey and Chrysler Imperial, two of my favorites - to start blooming. Then, new bareroots Stainless Steel and Twilight Zone have the tiniest buds on them - THOSE I can barely wait for!! Most of the other new bareroots are budding now too - whoppee. I could go on, but I'm sure I'm already too verbose. This is such a wonderful time of year. We are so blessed...

For me all the roses are surprises, even the ones that have been planted for decades. This is my first year taking over care of them.

The one I have hated for years and caused many a wound or scar, Don Juan I think, is putting out the biggest flowers ever after being pruned, retied, fed and competing plants removed. Massive 8-9" flowers you can smell when you drive up.

The vintage red rose is loving life, and I think helping to solve it's naming issue buy showing what should be good and happy canes vs Dr Huey...The vintage white next to it is starting and for the first time in decades both are covered buds and flowers.

The older vintage pink is thrilled with the pruning and being fed too and is busy with her pink flowers that seem to hold and hold.

The ones I planted a few years back are happy too. I think the first buds on Golden Celebration are opening and saying how much she likes her new location. Sterling Silver has a bud! St Patrick and Sheer Bliss have buds.

The new ones this year are all happy too, a couple a big slower than others, and others that want to be BIG.

They are all a surprise and happy with their treatment...so far