Floridarose: You asked why I removed 'Crepuscule' and its supporting pergola . . . When, almost 18 yrs ago, we selected a site to build this home, the agent asserted that the towering pines on one side of the property were "mature". I assumed that meant they would grow no taller. What a naïve assumption THAT proved to be. We planted other trees, as did a neighbor. Portions of the property that once were very sunny gradually became shaded during much of the day -- ie, increasingly inhospitable to the roses that once grew so happily in those areas. So there you have it . . . 'Crepuscule' wasn't the only casualty, but it certainly was the most prominent one. Come spring, the side garden where the pergola stood will be planted with Southern Indica azaleas ('George L Taber' and/or 'Mrs GG Gerbing'), and probably a few other shade-tolerant plants. Nearby, beds behind a stone retaining wall will be home to a mass planting of Camellia sasanqua 'Marge Miller', the first-ever trailing camellia discovered in Australia that, at long last, is now available to American gardeners. Several years ago, a group of local water colorists came here on a spring weekend to paint 'Crepuscule' doing her riotous thing on her pergola. I hounded one of those artists mercilessly until he finally caved-in and sold his painting to me. Now that my 'Crepuscule' exists only as a fond memory, and as the subject of that wonderful water color painting, I'm more glad than ever that I was such a persistent nudge. PS: LOL -- You're right, Carol. Sure didn't anticipate such a lively exchange among rose folk regarding social mores and taboos vis-à-vis incest.

ozmelodye and Susan, you've made me feel so much better. I'm not sure where I got the idea that Baronne Henriette de Snoy was extra-large, but I'm thrilled by your comments. Since both of you live in warmer zones your experiences shouldn't be that different from mine. I also just snip away at my teas. I'd be terrified to do an actual pruning although I suppose some with very thick canes would benefit from having the oldest taken out. Frankly, I view the thorns as being a deterrent to that endeavor. Susan, I'm looking forward to seeing my first flower in a few weeks on the Baronne. The word "glorious" has raised some expectations!

Yes, Zone 8 would be too much of a stretch for me. Perhaps there’s something similar to “Ames” Kew Gardens rose, that remains small and is suitable for my zone. ( Jin, that’s what MY autocorrect turns Kew Gardens into. It’s so strange!) Marlorena, your garden really is inspirational. That’s exactly the look I’d like to obtain, but always fall VERY short of. Jin, I like peach and apricot but nothing will ever make me like pure, screaming orange. I don’t know why, but I just can’t stand it! Sorry, orange lovers. I enjoy seeing it in others gardens, but not in mine. Liking single roses and crimson, purply roses is enough of a change from my pink double preference:) I should find somewhere to purchase the seed for Spanish foxgloves ASAP, if I’m going to try them. This is the time of year to start seeds for me. Of course, if we would just get some rain it would help germination tremendously. Jen, about importing seeds into the US. I have a seed permit from the USDA. It doesn’t cost anything to obtain, just paperwork to do, and I did have to go to one of their branch offices to turn it in with the proper identification. This was about 4-5 years ago. Now I am able to renew it online whenever it expires. I think that’s every 2 or 3 years. They issue me however many green stickers I requested, and when I’m getting seeds from someone out of the country who isn’t licensed to send seeds into the US, I send them one of my stickers. Certain seeds and certain countries are forbidden.Then once that person receives the sticker I mailed them, they stick it on the outside of the envelope. It goes to a USDA inspection station near me. They inspect the seeds and then forward them on to me. I’ve only needed to use my stickers a few times, but I keep my permit up to date in case I come across seeds I can’t get any other way. It’s called something like, “Permit to import small lots of seed into the US”. I felt really excited and “official” when I finally received mine. :) Lisa

Emily, I just saw that Lynette (oldrosarian on here) had some photos of MLdB on HMF. She JUST now posted something over on the Roses forum, so you might to make a post to get her attention to see if she still grows it (she doesn't have messaging enabled). Lynette is also a fount of rose knowledge. I'm still hoping she writes a book on ramblers and climbers...or even just on her garden. John