My roses had a rather iffy year too. The hard hit from winter set most of them back severally so my first flush was late in June instead of May. It's been a wet year here with cooler than normal temps and much less sunshine than we usually have so I've had very slow and sporadic rebloom all summer. I know so many people would love to get some rain but we have had more than our share and my roses show it. Tons of black spot out there. I have some buds on them now but there is probably little hope that the majority will open before first frost and then it's time to put them to bed for the winter.

Seems like it's either too much rain or not enough! I know when we start getting adequate rainfall I'll have a big problem with blackspot, but I think I would rather have too much rain than not enough, the cooler temps would make a difference too, but I usually don't have to worry about that. I wish there could just be a happy medium, where it would be perfect for everyone, lol! Even with these irritations I still love my roses though!

You might want to think about putting in a drip system for your roses, then you would not be so much at the mercy of the weather! Drip systems are much more efficient with water than hose watering, and don't promote diseases like overhead watering does. Short of that, a soaker hose is not bad.

I had similar experiences. Like Seil I had a hard winter, lots of dieback, too much rain and cloud cover, so much BS, but some spurts of great roses blooming. Sara, last year I had more roses and could cut a bouquet whenever, not this year, about 1/3 less blooms. However, right now the bushes are looking good with chance of frost tonight. I plan on cutting this evening! I do think I had more fun growing and enjoying my roses this year than in the past.

I totally agree that I need a drip line system, hopefully I'll have something figured out by next season. Kentucky_rose, it did get very cold here last night too. Last year I had blooms until mid-November, I'm not sure about this year. While there have been some disappointments this year, overall I've enjoyed my roses. If you cut roses this evening I do want to see pictures!

This post was edited by Sara-Ann on Sat, Oct 4, 14 at 15:11

Sara, Last week when I tried to post some pictures I kept getting an error. I will take some pictures and try to post.

Sara, here they are.

Another view.

Thanks for the pictures, they're gorgeous! Lots of beautiful bouquets!

Look at all those beautiful blooms! Wonderful bouquets.

Kate

Sara and Kate, thanks and here's one arrangement from the roses.

And here's the mini arrangement.

Those are so gorgeous! I think you have a magic touch with your arrangements, they're wonderful! This time last year I had some lovely ones, not so much this year, I do appreciate you sharing your beauties.