Thank you, Florence, for those bush-shots of Lyda Rose. Fortunately, Burlington Roses in CA also sells Lyda Rose for $11. That would brighten up that shady spot in my garden. It's 84 degrees today, here's a bouquet I picked, where Pink Peace out-shines all ... no fading, no frying in full-sun, the scent is stronger than Paul Neyron. The petals are thick, did well in last year drought and 100 degrees heat. There's an old thread where people discussed Pink Peace and The McCartney Rose. The vote? It's a tie, folks like both. Pink Peace is dark pink, Liv Tyler is apricot-pink, and light pink is Francis Blaise. This post was edited by Strawberryhill on Sun, Jul 14, 13 at 13:31

"Would you say that roses that win the AARS are in general good performers or is it an overrated distinction?" Not really. I've had some great AARS roses and some stinkers. Although AARS test gardens are scattered through the country and in all growing zones, I've seldom found one that performs well in all zones. They seem to be better suited for warmer and temperate growing areas, not so much for zones 5 or less. I don't buy a rose based on a AARS rating. I wait a year or so to see how well it does in the average rose growers garden where it may be subject to some neglect. If it still gets raves, it may be a winner then. As with the J&P Rose of the Year and other J&P award roses, I believe the AARS award is a selling tool to sell lots of roses to unsuspecting buyers. Every year hundreds of thousands of AARS award roses are sold based only on the fact they got the award. I've read too many bad reports on them over the years to get real excited over them. Another way to tell if they are good is how long they stay in commerce. How many of those given that award in the past 5 or more years are still around? ALL-AMERICA ROSE SELECTIONS WINNERS 1991-2008 2008 Mardi Gras Dream Come True 2007 Rainbow Knock Out Strike It Rich Moondance 2006 Wild Blue Yonder Julia Child Tahitian Sunset Rainbow Sorbet 2005 About Face DayDream Elle Lady Elsie May 2004 Honey Perfume Memorial Day Day Breaker 2003 Whisper Eureka Hot Cocoa Cherry Parfait 2002 Starry Night Love & Peace 2001 Marmalade Skies Glowing Peace Sun Sprinkles 2000 Knock Out Crimson Bouquet Gemini Coral 1999 Betty Boop Fourth of July Candelabra Kaleidoscope 1998 Fame! Sunset Celebration First Light Opening Night 1997 Scentimental Timeless 1996 Carefree Delight Livin'Easy St. Patrick Mt. Hood 1995 Brass Band Singin' in the Rain 1994 Secret Carribean Midas Touch 1993 Solitude Sweet Inspiration Child's Play Rio Samba 1992 All That Jazz Pride 'n' Joy Brigadoon 1991 Shining Hour Sheer Elegance Perfect Moment Carefree Wonder

Mori - one issue to consider with the roses that didn't come back (Moondance and Oregold) is the timing of when they were planted. I don't have very much luck with any planting in the fall, even big pots - I stop planting in June. In our zones, roses need to put down a good root system before the winter to survive, particularly if the canes aren't hardy and it needs to regrow from the ground. Beyond that, Oregold is a particularly weak grower, and I've never gotten it to overwinter regardless. I've had a Moondance for about 6 years but it finally faded and died this last winter and wasn't particularly robust. Blue Girl grows well for me and is worth another try if it doesn't show some life. I usually wait to at least mid-June before I decide if a rose isn't going to come back from the dead. Some roses (like Double Delight) can take that long to put up canes. Cynthia

'Quatre Saisons Blanc Mousseaux' back in late May -- bloom and mossy buds Another white Damask from late May, this is 'Botzaris' showing a touch of pink In the pics below from late May are two white roses -- 'Bozaris' near the front, and 'Bubble Bath' against the fence. The daddy of all Damasks, this is 'R. fedtschenkoana' 'Mlle Blanche Lafitte' in late May and again just before Halloween 'Rival de Paestum' from a couple weeks ago -- one of many roses in my garden which are still babies And "Lindee", still in a pot :-) ~Christopher