I grew dozens at one point, but the only one worth of hoot is still crocus rose. I still get a small smattering of bloom on mary rose, abe darby and heritage. gone are a long list of middle aged ones, jude, sceptered ise, sharifa asma, Geoff Hamilton ect ect.. tried a lot of that time frame, most just couldn't hack it, as I tried growing on own roots, a pretty big no no here in the northeast if trying to grow marginal roses. OF ALL the austins I have grown (which included many fragrant ones people have already listed) Abe was always my favorite, Abe is a very unique fruit blend, some compare it to a wine and rose smell, I said it always smelled like grapefruit and roses to my nose. It doesn't quite compare to the best of the antiques to me, but if I had to pick one rose that was a modern to grow for fragrance it would still be Abe.. Below is crocus rose about 50% winter dieback here.. so not 100% sure in z4 it would be terrific honestly, I like crocus smell, its a mild tea scent actually. But if you cannot smell that, then it would do you any good. Some people cant.

THANK YOU! I was hoping it wasn't incorrect, and I started thinking maybe it was 'Mme Zoetmans', which would be a happy mystery-solved. But I'd rather it be 'Charles de Mills'. And yes, these tiny buds are only just barely uncovered, and what little shows beneath the green is white. So maybe they'll color up in the next few days. I greatly appreciate your guidance here and with my earlier questions, mad_gallica! After my post about how far own-root Gallicas spread, I took a measuring tape to the two beds where I want to plant them. I'll be fine doing 4'-5' between them, as you suggested, especially with one less ('Belle de Crecy' didn't get shipped) and if I put the two or three "less rampant spreaders" ('Nouveau Monde', 'Duchesse d'Angouleme' and/or 'Duchesse de Montebello') elsewhere. :-) ~Christopher

I'm used to getting cards and letters late, but this year my sisters and relatives in Croatia and Bosnia will be using Skype, free cam and especially voice chats, not perfect, but what is? Especially one for free. Gotten more annuals cleaned, mostly sweet autumn clematis, MG's, cannas, gingers and NBJasmine, it's been in 70-ies, just right to keep windows open!! Weather see-saws all over the world! Hope Santa doesn't get snowed in, ha. Making Shrimp and leftover Turkey Gumbo!! No okra or smoked ham, so it's not the traditional recipe, might serve it with brown rice or mashed potatoes. I'll share the recipe-s eventually, like it or not, lol GB-Bea

I think we are finished here. THANK YOU ladies for being such fantastic elves! SWAPPING HOLIDAY Cards FOTESS style this month..... Annie ** SENT 12/10 Alana SENT 12/9 Jeanne ** SENT 12/5 ALL CARDS REC'D THANK YOU! Breanne ** SENT 12/26 Margo ** SENT 12/12 ALL CARDS REC'D THANK YOU! Shirley ** SENT 12/11 Amy ** SENT 12/18 Mandy SENDING 12/14 Urooj **SENT 12/14 Melinda SENT 12/10 Ruth ** SENT 12/10 Heidi **SENT 12/12 Jayeanne SENT 12/7