This subject interests me, too,since here in Italy we have serious problems with the heat.I just got Climbing Crimson Glory (I dislike shrub HT's with their awkward, graceless growth habit, but am hoping that in the climbing form this won't be such a problem). My experience with Austin's Falstaff is that this beautiful rose does NOT crisp in hot sun, and it's colour-a very deep purple-red-is so unique. Likewise Tradescant seems promising.But, Daisy, why not take a look at Becky and John Hook's roses ?(La Roseraie Du Désert is the name of their nursery). They have an excellent selection of roses adapted to our hot climates:chiefly teas, chinas and noisettes. My experience with them has been so excellent, I can't recommend them highly enough. I bet they could ship to Crete. Their roses are own-root, so they may appear a bit small to you if in the past you've only had experience with grafted bare-roots, but these are top quality plants IMHO. I just grow the smaller plants along in a vase for their first season,so they get nice and big,though I think this is a matter of personal preference. regards, bart

Mr. Lincoln and Deep Secret will "blue" on you as they age (i.e. fade to that purple color you dislike) just like Oklahoma and most of the rest of the older dark reds. There are truer reds that do not do this however -- Opening Night was the first rose advertised for not doing the blue fade routine. Lasting Love is also a good choice, but it starts out a smokier color, not bright red. Let Freedom Ring would be good -- true red, good form and no bluing there. A floribunda that I'm getting this year that I have high hopes for (and which is in the garden centers now) that is advertised as not bluing is Drop Dead Red. Here is a link that might be useful: Drop Dead Red

Ingrid: I'll be anxious to hear how your Wild Edric do. Yucaipa is just a bit east of us, and Beaumont is about 30 miles east. Most of the orange groves are gone; it's such a shame. When they started ripping them out in Orange County, I started planting small ones there. Not so popular then, but I love the fragrance and feel of an orchard, and of course, the fruit. The whole time I've lived in this area, they've been ripping out orange groves. I have a small citrus orchard in the Garden of Forgotten Dreams, and I'm so glad. It's like saving a tiny scrap of our heritage. And the fragrance of orange blossoms and roses -- heavenly! Speaking of fruit, does anyone like poison Apples??? (below)

What a nuisance. Well, I don't grow a deep purple but 'Dusky Challenger' has been the favorite for many years. Schreiners turns out superb lav-blues and purples. Looking at pictures it seems Dusky is a bit darker than 'Matinata'. Which is lovely. 'Black is Back' (Schreiners, AM'14), 'Black Suited' (Innerst, HM'03), 'Black Tie Affair' (Schreiners, AM'97) --- pictures show them to be on the blacker side. Deep wine reds --- I didn't like 'Mulled Wine' (Keppel, AM'86) after a day because it opened its standards too wide but great color. 'Merlot' was meh. The names escape just now but I found the saturated jewel tones stunning. Their dawback is fade. Ghio does some. Maybe Keppel. BlueJ Iris has reasonable prices and a large selection. I think you deduct 10% if you don't want bonuses. Listed are awards which is helpful when I am unsure. If an iris didn't even get an HM I'm probably going to be disappointed down the line (experience speaking). I also look at height for my small garden. Try to resist the 40 inchers. Good luck Linnea.