Hi! Wondering if you were able to grow your roses. I live in Puerto Rico, too, and have always wanted to grow them. My grandma only grew what I think were tea roses. I have my heart set on the climbing variety for one section of the garden. I found a place online that ships to PR, some people don't ship to the islands. Yet I don't know how well climbing roses would grow here. I wanted to grow Zephirine Drouhin on my fence, afraid to go with thorny varieties because my neighbors have little kids. Aside from that, any best bets for the rest of the garden? Thanks!!! :-)

Sherry, one thing I've noticed about your garden is how fast your roses grow, and I've read about your soil prep so I know how much you rely on organics, manure, etc. Just the difference in the Natch N pictures makes me wonder if the bloom problems in the second pic were because of fertilizer needs. Your good soil prep and and climate seem to be so conducive to growth, that coupled with your sandy soil and constant rain lately, that I wonder if the N is being depleted really quickly, so something like a fast acting nitrogen is a good fix for right now. Makes me think that your feeding program next year needs more N overall...? I have been using Milorganite; some people don't like it because of suspicions about heavy metals, etc., but my roses sure like it. Anyway, just a thought. just one more anecdote, Hermosa for me started getting those washed out blooms like your NN. I got so disgusted that I cut it down to 6 inches and started feeding it Miracle Grow frequently. It snapped out of it, regained its lost growth and the bloom color went back to normal. That is purely anecdotal, but it makes me wonder if that's what caused the NN problems too. I don't know, just thinking aloud, so you know what that's worth! Love ya, Gean

Ah I didn't realise that the Australian zones were different to the 'International' chart on the Gardenweb homepage. It's certainly a lot warmer than Mudgee here! We are in Drummoyne and our yard is pretty warm, sunny and protected. Yes I've bought all my potted roses from Green E, in fact over 40 roses in the last 12 months and I'm very happy with all of them. I really enjoy visiting the nursery, the owners are lovely to chat with and provide great advice. It makes for a happy, peaceful afternoon browsing all the potted (and planted) roses! Yesterday I bought Mr Tillier after seeing some blooms for the first time and also Duchess de Brabant. Couldn't resist a Mme Isaac Pereire either - an unnecessary and irrational purchase but oh well! A large General Schablikine still had loads of beautiful blooms at the nursery but no fragrance at all that I could detect. I think I'll probably get a G Nabonnand next. I still can't find anyone else who has Octavius Weld either...

Here's an earlier post with photos on Tangerine Skies -http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/4713687/tangerine-skies Chris' pics & description convinced me to order a pair from Roses Unlimited back in February. Sunset blends touch my soft spot - so fragrance & health made TS irresistible. When Newflora was sold, went ahead & ordered any Kordes' roses they'd introduced that had caught my interest, concerned about future availability. That led me to another pair of TS from RU. All have grown enthusiastically in 5-gallon pots, sending up strong new basals, topping out between 5-6' in 4 months. Clean & healthy no spray, even the rose slugs left them alone. They have yet to bloom, unsurprising since these seemed younger-than-usual plants on arrival & many climbers (& other own root roses) often don't bloom for me their first year. Wayside's sale notice landed in my Inbox last Friday morning & ordered another pair of Tangerine Skies @$11.48 so 2 for $22.96, shipping for both $9.95, for a total of $32.91 delivered. Shipped out Monday & arrived Wednesday afternoon. Found them on the front porch when I came home last night. Dipped into the 30's overight, so left them boxed till this morning. Good looking roses, fresh & moist, one to a pot which I much prefer to multiples, one 15" high & the other 18", well grown with multiple branches. Secured at either end of the box with their branches overlapping in the middle & easily removed once the 3 copper staples holding the box closed were removed. (Don't like those either, Lilyfich, but a flathead screwdriver pried them out safely.) Haven't ordered from Wayside or J & P for years, though still receive their emails. Very pleased with these. Sue