I put any colors together. My choice usually depends on two factors: what roses do I have in my driveway that need to be planted, and where do I have a spot that is right for the ultimate size/shape of the rose. Color is a very minor consideration. I have been trying a few "calculated" combinatons, however. For example, I've planted Tausendschon and Ghislaine de Feligonde together. I've been told this is a remarkable combination. I've also put Ghislaine de Feligonde with Climbing Pinkie on a stretch of wrought iron fence. I also put Black Prince with Gardenia which I think turned out beautifully. Currently, I am considering adding Crepuscule to Alexandre Girault to extend the bloom period of a high focus area on a rather large "bare" brick wall. Alexandre Girault will provide a wonderful glossy green (healthy) backdrop, and I think Crepuscule will add significant color from a distance. Robert

Diane, Believe me, if I knew anyone who had 'Gloire des Rosomanes', I'd have it by now myself: it ought to be easy from cuttings. My friend lives in Genoa and isn't that close. And you're right, he doesn't know the names of these roses: he's a food plant enthusiast who's not knowledgeable about ornamental plants. I doubt anybody who grew them knew their names. My guess is that these roses ended up used for syrup making because they were fragrant, reblooming, and easy to propagate and grow, and that it's been a long time since any of them passed through the hands of a nurseryman. A year or two ago I posted a request for identification of the first syrup rose I got from my friend, and tentatively identified it as 'Général Jaqueminot'. I wonder why you couldn't post your answer on my thread? I know a person can't post twice in a row in a thread without changing the title of the message, but you weren't posting two messages in a row. Thanks for persevering. Melissa

I was out of town for a couple of days ... but I'm back. Other than the obvious fact that the rose labeled GdR is WAY paler and has WAY more petals than it should, it's surprising that the flowers are pretty similar to the flowers on the rose that I have that I now suspect is GdR. My "formerly Birdie Blye rose" opens up fairly flat, like a plate ... and the stamens are beautiful. The mystery rose also opened flat, and there's similar stamens in there ... they're just obscured by petals. The petal shape is also very similar. Hmmm. When the sun comes up a bit more, I will see what else I can get on my rose to help with its ID. Thanks for the help, so far. Connie P.S. Do you think it's safe to tag this as Gloire des Rosomanes in the nursery ... or do I wait?

Maurizio: Oh, the confusion among red Chinas! I had told you that I didn't think my 'Cramoisi Supérieur' from Peter Beales was the rose that goes by that name in the U.S., so what you tell me doesn't come as a surprise. I got a DIFFERENT rose--not 'Gloire des Rosomanes'--as R. chinensis semperflorens from Nino Sanremo: a miserable thorny flower-stingy beast with single or semi-double pink blooms, not like any rose I know and doubtfully garden-worthy. It has been exiled to a rough corner, though its being chopped to the ground for tranplanting did seem to make it flower better. If my syrup rose doesn't turn out to be 'Gloire des Rosomanes', I can see that I'm going to have to get it. Melissa