Usually the stripees do not have classic exhibition form. Most of them pop open. And I actually like the fully open form better anyway, as it better shows off the stripes. I have Secret Recipe, but I just recently got it from Heirlooms, so it's too early for me to make any comment on it. The other striped mosses however are probably similar, and none of them has exhibition form either. Of those, I grow Strawberry Swirl and Rose Gilardi. Rose Gilardi is the better rose of the two. But I don't know of any exhibition form striped minis that hold that form for any length of time. I do take pics sometimes that show such form, but usually it's just becaue I happen to catch them at the right moment, not because they stay that way. As for Dreamcatcher's availability, I just took a look around and I don't see it anywhere. That's a shame. It's a nice rose and should be more available. It's a short climber and does hold good form for awhile. We had one last week in our auction. I got mine from the Uncommon Rose when they were still in biz, but they've been gone for 5 years now. And it's not going to get any better in the future -- The USDA is stopping imports of all garden roses to the U.S. from Europe/Japan etc effective Jan. 2012 due to some citrus root weevil issue, or so I hear. Lesmc -- In referring to Stars N Stripes, I was referring to the red/white stripe mini by Ralph Moore. There is however a Clements shrub rose called Stars and Stripes Forever that I think is a dog and is soon to be outahere. Stars and Stripes Forever grows like a climber and yes, it hardly ever blooms here either. And even when it does bloom, its blooms have all the same faults as Scentimental, which I also disliked and got rid of. If you want a red/white striped big rose, you can't beat Fourth of July.

I have over 50 Harkness roses. Some still haven't bloomed yet. But I love all the ones that have bloomed for me. I have PURE GOLD on order from Pickering, and Hoovb, I'm sooo happy to see your wonderful photo! I'm so glad I decided to order it! Here are some of mine that bloomed this yr: ALEXANDER - baby own-root from Vintage... it's first bloom AMBER QUEEN - got it last yr from Edmunds... I like it! ANNE HARKNESS - got from Pickering several yrs ago... been very slow to grow... this yr was the first time it bloomed decently BERYL BACH - one of my all-time favorites! Grows like a weed, blooms like crazy! Averages 6-7ft high and 3 1/2ft wide BILL SLIM - got from Hortico several yrs ago.... good bloomer... stays kinda small BY APPOINTMENT - a good reliable bloomer stays about 4ft high x 2ft wide CALLIOPE - aka APRICOT ABUNDANCE... Love it!! lots of blooms... great repeat CITY GIRL CL - good healthy plant but doesn't bloom much COMMONWEALTH GLORY - gorgeous, healthy, always blooming, love it!! COUNTRY LADY - this one is not readily available in the US any more, but I'm trying to get cuttings to Ashdown West so Cliff can get it back into commerce. I sent him cuttings earlier this yr, but I don't think they made it, so will send him more in spring. It's a monster plant. Always blooming, huge stems and clusters. EASY GOING - hasn't been as good a plant or bloomer as I expected, but I'm keeping it. ELIZABETH HARKNESS - got it a long time ago from Pickering, and it's been a bit slow, but worth it. This yr she was a bloom machine. EXCITING - new one only available at Heirloom. Grows like a climber, sprawling all over the place, but blooms pretty decently. HIROSHIMA'S CHILDREN - got it many yrs ago from a mini rose supplier own root, has been verrrry slow to grow, but is finally getting somewhere now. Love the blooms!! IRISH HOPE - a monster gotten from Pickering a couple yrs ago... massive 6ft blooming machine! LADY OF THE MIST - own root from Heirloom a few yrs ago, has been another slow one! But I think I'm going to like it! LEANN RIMES - aka PERCEPTION... what a killer plant! Big gorgeous blooms all season! MARY JEAN - got it form Edmunds a couple yrs ago... seems to be a nice one, but doesn't really bloom much. RADOX BOUQUET - Love it when it does bloom!! RECONCILIATION - got mine own-root from Heirloom a couple yrs ago and it seems to be taking off better than some of the other o/r ones. Blooms blow pretty fast tho. RENAISSANCE - a really good bloomer I got from Pickering a few yrs ago. SAMARITAN - one of the best ever. Gorgeous blooms in all stages, and when the clusters open up like this... Oweeeee!! SEVEN SEAS - got this one own-root from Vintage many many yrs ago. It's a lovely rose with flat rosettes that maybe could repeat better, but I like it! SUE HIPKIN - got it from Pickering last yr and I really really like this one!! SUNSET BLVD - from Pickering also, a couple yrs ago, is going to be a wonderful rose!

Thanks. Fragrance is optional but desirable. First I want healthy, reasonably prolific and good flower form and color. Fragrance would be the icing on the cake. Terryjean, thanks for the hint on Camille. I'm not hell-bent on red-yellow bicolor, but something with an overall orange effect is my goal. "Ingrid" is what I'm actually trying to replace. Beautiful color, just not enough petals nor holding power for my warm climate. Blooms pop open quickly to shapeless things. I've had quite a wait between flushes, too, though that might be because the bush is only a year and a half old. Am I dumping her too quickly? Someone please tell me if the holding power and form improves with more age. It's very pretty at half-open stage; just doesn't last. (sigh) Hershigirl, I'll have to look up Gypsy Carnival. Thanks for pointing out Regan's. They're expensive, especially with shipping, but a great source for hard for some hard-to-find varieties. I've been tempted to get a clean specimen of Chicago Peace--love love love the color combo. But the bush may be a little TOO vigorous and spreading for my space considerations. Don't know, hmm.... Only slightly fragrant, too, but so is Remember Me that I listed above. What to do... Mike

Bestyears, I commend you for doing what you can to open your mind to the possibilities, going along with your daughter to the initial meetings and for seeking more information. You are trying to do what's best for your daughter and clearly you are struggling with *how much* support is appropriate. I am not a parent but I do know that the transitional years between teen/child and adulthood are tricky for all-- and there's no single right answer or approach. What I do know is that your love, support and guidance are more valuable than anything else you can provide-- including money-- your daughter is blessed to have you with her as she moves towards her adult life. I don't have any experience with modeling-- though I have a few friends who have done "light" modeling in regional catalogs, etc and one friend who did runway modeling in NYC and in Europe long before I knew her. FWIW, she also has a stunning education with a PhD from an ivy league school (which I believe she pursued after modeling but I am not sure). From your description of your daughter, she appears to be mindful and committed to her health and diet-- this is a great foundation. We're all aware of the issues with eating disorders and unhealthy weights in the modeling industry but at least it's no longer a "dirty little secret". I would continue to praise her healthy eating and support her in continuing to develop the confidence and resolve to know who she is and what is health for her. This is the best way to combat the challenges she may face regarding weight and diet. This same self awareness will guide her too to know what type of modeling will best suit her. There are many kinds of modeling and each comes with a different lifestyle. Which best suits her personality? Is she a careful planner or is she excited by spontaneous opportunity? Would she be excited by the prospect of packing up and flying out to a shoot across the country with little notice or would she be more comfortable with a shoot schedule a month in advance? Is she fiercely independent and self-motivated or does she most thrive with the support of friends and family near her? Once she knows (and perhaps she already does) which type of modeling she wants to pursue, she can make good decisions about how to proceed. it will help her to choose an agency and determine where and how college fits in. I would view each agency very critically. Is it realistic to consider modeling and college at the same time? I can't really say but I'd sure ask hard, driving questions of the agency that suggests she can. Are they looking to (and able to) offer her big time runway modeling opportunities, national agency shoots or are they looking to fill their stables with pretty faces for regional catalogs. What's their track record? How these agencies respond to the questions will give you and your daughter a better idea of her potential and which agency can give her the best opportunity to make it happen. No matter what career we choose, there are risks and opportunities. The best thing you can do is to help your daughter look at her options clearly, realistically and from all perspectives... and to be flexible enough to move on to a plan B or C (or D!) as time and opportunities evolve. Best wishes for all of you at this exciting time!