Oops...sorry for the double post, Jeri. I just posted links to the GardenWeb Roses forum and Facebook Fan page right after your post.

I am deeply saddened by EuroDesert's closing. But, I hope that the closure is not permanent. Many a great warrior have had to retreat, only to come back in greater capacity and bring prosperity to their dynasty. I believe that the rose industry is in a lull due to the economy. However, it will be rebound in greatness. Whatever may be the end (or beginning) of this story, Mr. Cliff Orent brought roses from the yesteryear, that would have be long forgotten into limelight, that generations will cherish.

I am grateful to Mr. Cliff Orent for sharing his ardent passion for roses with budding rose enthusiasts like me, experts (like you, PapaRoseMan, and others), and everyone else.

Here is a link that might be useful: EuroDesert Roses' Facebook Fan Page

What a beautifully eloquent way to say what many of us are feeling about this.

Godspeed, Cliff.

Connie

I'm sad for Mr. Orent and for all of his faithful customers who supported him as much as they could, and I'm scared for others who might be on the edge. How wonderful if this closure would not have to be permanent. The economy has to come back sometime. I hope it hurries.

Sherry

I am deeply saddened about getting Cliff's e-mail. Some of the best and rarest roses in my garden have come from Cliff. I always take delight in checking his website with my a.m. coffee to see what new treasures he has available.

There will be a big, black hole next Spring when it's time to order...

-terry

This is really bad news. We have lost so many.

I ordered four more I'd been thinking about -

Sibelius, purple hybrid musk that looks like Veilchenblau - continuous blooming
Shi un, purplish hybrid tea from a Japanese breeder that I'm going to grow with White Cap, the Brownell white climber.

Lynnie - a continuous blooming shrub in a pink
Verdi - another gorgeous continuous blooming hybrid musk, pink

It prob won't help, but still, since I'd been thinking about it, I didn't want to wait any longer.

oh, and Purple Skyliner. That is some kind of beautiful rose.

Whenever we lose a nursery that caters to antique or specialty roses, we lose another treasure.

This closing makes me so sad.

Cliff thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom and dedication. I'm only sorry that my little garden was full to the brim and I could not support you in anyway.

Hoping that the market wakes up to beauty and fragrance.

Carol

This is really sad. From a rose community viewpoint,... there aren't that many places left that carry unusual, older and rare roses. I worry about people being able to find some of these plants later.

A lot of people already have mostly full gardens, so it takes bringing new people in to get a lot more rose sales, I guess? I guess we should try to convert any of our neighbors and friends with sunny yards. Cliff, I only got to order from you once, but I really love the plants I've gotten and I really appreciated your advice.