To Cliff Orent, I've always heard good things about your nursery, and am sorry to hear you're forced to close it. I hope you're able to manage your health problems and continue to live a rewarding life, with roses in it. Good luck! I live in Italy and so haven't personally benefited from all the roses you've imported. I HAVE experienced the frustration of knowing of wonderful roses in the U.S. that I couldn't get, and am grateful to those nurserymen and women who undertake the frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming task of importing new varieties. So thanks for bringing in all those new roses!!! I'm also glad to know that Vintage is taking them over. Good luck in the new phase of your life! Best wishes, Melissa

I am so sad that Cliff has become ill and unable to continue with his dream. He has done a lot to get some very unusual roses out into commerce. And in trying to do so, he has stressed himself out so much that he just can't do it anymore. His health is much more important than all the roses. I've been in touch with him over the last several months and I know what he's been going thru. It was a difficult decision, but something he had to do. He is currently packing up about 12,000 roses to be trucked up to Vintage Gardens. I know what his list was, and he had some wonderful roses to be offered. I don't know when Vintage will be putting them up on the availability list, but hopefully it will be within a few weeks or so. Cliff and his EuroDesert Roses will be sorely missed by me, and I'm sure many others too.

I went for the first time last weekend and it is a garden not to be missed! If you want to learn what a particular rose looks like when fully mature, here's the place to go. You can see it in comparison to so many others too. How might it look in your yard? What does that foliage look like? What is the ultimate shape of the plant? As Eurodesert is closing, and roses are being sold all the time, there just won't be an opportunity again to see and be able to purchase such a variety of very rare roses. Some never seen in North America before. So put on a pair of comfortable walking shoes and plan to spend the day absorbing rose history and adding something very special to your own garden. Here is a link that might be useful: Cliff's High Desert Garden

Before I point out what a wonderful opportunity this is, let me also add that Cliff is a very special person. To own one (or more) of Cliff's mother plants is more than just acquiring a rose you like. It is also a link to the wide world of roses and the people who make it possible for the rest of us. So, anyone who even slightly suspects they are going to kick themselves for not jumping on this, jump on it. As more and more nurseries fold, there will be fewer opportunities to acquire specimens easily. While Vintage Gardens is absorbing much of Cliff's stock, they can't produce all their roses every year. The next time you may want a rose from Cliff's list, you may have to shell out $45 and wait two years for custom rooting.