OK, I didn't upload the pics I took to my photobucket account yet, so I'm being lazy and offering any of you on Facebook the opportunity to see them in my "NJ Garden" album. My Heirloom Roses order came two weeks ago, and that pic is the 37th in the album, followed by a shot of 'Souvenir de Victor Landeau' as it's leafing out this year (I got it as a band in April 2012), some up-close shots of the "Reine des Violettes" a-la Heirloom Roses, and a snapshot of the whole order potted up and individual shots of each. Then there's an "after" pic of one of the future Gallica beds, after I removed dead and "in the way" growth of the arborvitae, and finally the Vintage Gardens and Rogue Valley Roses order I received on Thursday. I'm overly meticulous with potting them up, so I got through half in four hours on Thursday, working until it got too dark to see. Then this morning (Friday) I finished the other half in another four hours, just in time to get cleaned up and ready for work. If I posted them all on here, I think I'd end up freezing someone's computer. One thing I have to say -- I notice that the medium Vintage uses for their bands is very "rocky" and seems both overly heavy for shipping weight, and prone to drying out en route. Some of their bands were wilting when I took them out, but perked back up after getting a long, slow drink. Rogue uses more of a peat-based medium, which seemed both lighter in weight and able to retain more moisture. Of all of the RVR bands, only 'Golden Buddha' seemed a bit wilty, but it also perked back up soon after being repotted and watered. My potting mix this time was equal parts peat moss, Bovung composted cow manure, and shredded hardwood mulch. I like how this mix felt, a nice mix of light and fluffy with enough water-holding ability and a good mix of slow-release organic nutrients for growth. I lined the bottom of each pot with newspaper to keep the mix from coming out of the holes but still allow water to drain out. I sprinkled Jobe's Organic Knock Out Rose food in layers as I added potting mix, using 1 cup for the 2-gallon pots and 1/2 cup for the 1-gallons. I think I prefer the 2-gallon pots, but did use the 1-gallons for the bands that were either much smaller, or for roses which themselves don't grow that big, and will be planted in the ground after I place the larger roses. I'll pot up the 1-gallons into 2-gallons later in the season. I'll keep updating that album as I go along. :-) ~Christopher Here is a link that might be useful: NJ Garden Pics

I received mine today and one of mine was missing too but when I called they said it wasn't quite ready so will be shipping it in a few weeks. All the rest were beautiful though. I think i'm going to go visit them again too. Judy

I received the two roses from Heirloom today. They were shipped on Monday and I received on Thursday via UPS. I’m very impressed with the way they packed the roses. Both roses are well developed for own root roses. If they find a way to sell all the gorgeous cabbage roses from Europe and Japan, I will sure to buy them all. Helen

The Rose Glutton had to go back to the trough again today.......I brought home 7 more - for total price of $45 and change! In big pots, healthy! I will post photos tomorrow, got home after dark. Some roses they just had one of. I got the Montezuma - love the color, saw one in a friend's garden. I got 2 White Meillands for 2 large pots, another Polka, a Cl. Crimson Sky, Passionate Kisses and Cherry Frost. It was hard to pass up Heirloom, but I have one. There was Easter Basket, but am not too impressed with it. There was one of each of Laguna, Summer Romance, Brandy, Sun Flare. Lots of Fruity Petals, which I really like, and Ruby Meilland, a small flowered red. May have to go get another. If they were $10-15, that would be another matter, but $5.97? How can I not??? Lowe's got some in but the only one I was interested in was Soul Sister and I have one of those. Dont know what Home Depot has, but the one in my town doesnt seem to be into roses - body bags and Knockouts. But Wally really hit a home run this time!