Apricot and mauve aren't very heat-loving for the most part and roses in containers during 100+F need to be nearly bullet-proof. You don't say which rose society list you're looking at nor when you tried to purchase the recommended roses. The only nursery in Phoenix still selling very many roses is Berridges, 4700 block east Camelback. The others may have a few roses left from the winter stock but they aren't expecting shipments again til cooler weather this fall. Roses need large containers. Bigger the rose, bigger the container needed. Climbers, grandifloras and most OGRS aren't recommended for containers. Some floribundas, minis, minifloras and a few smaller HT's may be ok for up to 3 years, depending on size of container. A Just Joey would need something about 30x36" to grow to maturity. Sunset Celebration is a little smaller but should be in a 24-26" pot. Marilyn Monroe does very good in our climate but would need the bigger size. Apricot floribundas are 'apricot' in the eyes of the beholder, IMO. I've got Fragrant Apricot and would suggest at least a 26" pot. Mauve roses really don't like our brand of heat but I've had good luck with Midnight Blue, Angel Face and Love Potion in containers (limited time). Right now, I've got an Outta the Blue waiting for a winter planting. She'll have been containered about 2 years at that point. This year Heirloom goes to the dumpster. All five Phoenix-area rose societies have websites and at least 2-3 of them have recommended roses for this area. Best time to purchase is mid-December thru late April for best selection.

Hi Stan It surprises me! Foreigners are allowed to own houses in Morocco, and a lot of Europeans acquired Moroccan style houses in Tangier as well as in other cities. Among American celebrities, Malcolm Forbes, Barbara Hutton and Paul Bowles lived in Tangier. The first one had a palace that featured a lead soldiers museum appearing in "The Living Daylights" James Bond's movie. Whith regard to the difference between SoCal and here, I would say that your winter highs are higher than Tangier's while your summer are cooler than ours. Winter rainfall is also significantly greater here, but despite of this my young Keitt mango tree starts blooming! I thought that mangos require a dry period to bloom. Anyways, I will prune it because it is still weak. Jalilu

Hello Linda! I am in zone 9, too! I agree that Abraham Darby is a wonderful smelling rose. It is a beautiful old fashioned-looking rose, too. It grows quite well in my garden. It is in between blooms right now, but it will be in full bloom again soon. :) I also have Gertrude Jekyll, but it's been stingy with its blooms. However, I must admit they smell wonderful! Perhaps more fragrant than my Abraham Darby. This is finally starting to bud again, so I'm hoping to see its beautiful pink petals again. You may notice that the flower will fall apart during the hot summer months, too. However, I think the roses are worth having. I have been using compost, worm castings, and alfalfa on my roses, and they seem to be doing well. I noticed that the two roses that I hadn't placed any compost has really clay soil. I also use the Cornell Formula (baking soda, horticultural oil, soap, water mixture...you can do search for the exact formula in the forum) and the 50/50 milk water spray to help prevent powdery mildew and black spot. Someone had posted this really neat site regarding roses. I think he talked about roses in Southern California, too. Here is a link that might be useful: Paul Barden Old Garden Roses and Beyond

Fish emulsion during the first year is good stuff. It helps build a good root system. I would stop using anything after the first part of Oct. to allow them to TRY and go dormant for the winter. I use Espoma Plant Tone or Rose Tone in my garden. I do it a little different than most people. I sprinkle 1/2 cup per bush on the first and fifteenth of every month. This way I have a steady flow of slow release food to the soil (April thru Sept.) all through my growing season. I make sure I water it in good every time I put it down. My roses respond very well to this feeding. The Prince Eutin Marchasa Bocella Let Freedom Ring in one of my HT beds