decagon- I dig a big hole, put in peat, Black Kow, bone meal, and composted top soil.This is the mix that is recommended by the Sarasota FLA rose society for down here. If you don't have a dry season, you might skip the peat. Your mix sounds good too. I also have to be very careful not to plant the roses too deeply. A rose needs the tops of its upper roots near the surface or even slightly exposed here in 10a. A couple of mine have died because I planted too deeply and I had to dig up and replant several more. I have read that the further north you are, the deeper the rose should be planted, but I have no experience growing roses north of S. Florida. As far as overcast goes, I guess that could be a real problem. Down here in FLA, we ain't called the "Sunshine State" for nothing! It is very rarely overcast all day long. I imagine that blackspot might be a real threat with 2 months of overcast moist weather.

Haha, yea I have heard of some interesting stories about tOSU then. I am graduating this qtr from tOSU. tOSU has changed quite a bit since then. I am actually sitting in the Thompson Library right now which just underwent a $140 million renovation and the old student union was demolished and a new one was built, completed, and opened just this qtr. The medical center is also spending $1 billion due to building a new university hospital. I vaguely remember one of my former job supervisors talking about the harryness at tOSU during that time period, especially during the KSU shootings, rallies, and students continually flooding the south dormitories. Quite interesting to say the least. If you haven't been to Columbus lately, the city as a whole has changed DRAMATICALLY since that time. Columbus is a very nice city and one of the few markets in the midwest that is economically progressing, stable, population is increasing, and so are local businesses and real estate. The Short North is now one of the nicest and most booming parts of the city, while 25 years ago, it was far from that. Oh yea...stop and smell the roses at the Park of Roses if you stop by again as well, although I know Cali has numerous wonderful rose gardens as well.

OLD PORT– (Floribunda) Blend of deep mauve and red.. Strong sun will bleach this to gray. Strong fragrance. Old-fashioned, quartered, very full bloom form. Height of 2' to 2' 11". Width of 20". Growing: Zone 6 . BS prone. OTHELLO- (Austin) Blood red, turning purple with age. Old rose, Strong fragrance. Average diameter 4". Large bloom form. Height of 3½' to 8' . Width of 3' to 6' . Growing: Zone 5 thru 10. Susceptibility: Powdery Mildew. Very thorny OPENING NIGHT- Dark red, red blend blooms. Mild fragrance. 25 to 35 petals. Average diameter 5¾". Double, high-centered to flat, large bloom form. Height of 4' to 6' . Growing: Disease susceptibility: Disease resistant. Cut Flowers: Stem length of 18" to 22". Has a vase life of 8 to 9 days. OUTTA THE BLUE (Shrub) Mauve & mauve blend, pink blend. Clove, Spicy, Strong fragrance that wafts. 26 to 40 petals. Average diameter 4½". Full, medium, Old-fashioned bloom form. Repeats Height of 3' to 5' . Excellent Disease resistance. Notes: Armstrong Garden Centers describes the unusual coloring of this rose as rich magenta marked with yellow at the base and reverse of each petal. As the flowers fade, they turn into shades of lavender, blue and cream... OVERNIGHT SCENTSATION (mini) Medium pink [ARS mp] blooms. Rose, Strong fragrance. 52 to 62 petals. Average diameter 3". Large bloom form. Height of 2' to 3' . Disease resistant. Has a vase life of 4 to 7 days. Notes: Nor'East Miniatures says Overnight Scentsation™ is the most fragrant mini roses ever with large flowers of bright medium pink, laden with a strong rose scent...The first rose in space via John Glenn & Co. in 1998... one of the reasons it was sent along on the trip is its extraordinarily strong fragrance... OYSTER PEARL Hybrid Tea, Light pink blooms. Strong fragrance. Height of up to 5' . Width of up to 4' . Growing: Zone 7 thru 9. Disease susceptibility: Disease resistant. Notes: Arena Rose Co.'s Catalog 2000 says Oyster Pearl is a beautiful rose that originated in Zimbabwe. Its pale cream-pink petals are dusted with a blush of deep pearl pink that emerges from the center. PACESETTER (Mini) White, near white & white blend. Strong fragrance. Repeats Size: Height of 18" to 2' . PAPA MEILLAND (Hybrid Tea) – velvety dark red; heavy Damask fragrance. 35 petals on long strait stems, great for cutting, susceptible to mildew and BS. Zone 7 Gamble Fragrance winner. @ PAINTED MOON (Hybrid Tea) Red blend . Mild fragrance. 40 petals. Cupped, double, medium-to-large bloom form. Repeats. Height of 2½' to 3' . Width of up to 2' . PARADICE (Hybrid Tea) Mauve & mauve blend blooms. Rose, Strong fragrance. 25 to 30 petals. Average diameter 4¾". Double bloom form. Repeats Height of 3' to 4' . Width of 2' to 3' . Growing: Zone 7 and higher. Changes color in the sun. PARFUM D’ AMOR (Hybrid Tea) a hard to find medium pink rose with a strong fragrance, 79 petals, and large blooms around 6" across, on a compact 4' bush. PARFUME DE L’HAY (Hybrid Rugosa) Medium red blooms. Strong fragrance. Repeats its bloom again later in the season. Size: Height of 4' to 5' . Width of 4' to 5' . Notes: No hips. Zone 4. PAT AUSTIN (Austin) Rich copper on the upperside of the petals and pale coppery yellow on the underside. Strong, fruity, tea fragrance. Cupped, large bloom form. Repeats Height of 3½' to 6' . Width of 3½' . One of the more disease resistant Austins. Zone 5.@ PAUL SHIRVILLE (Hybrid Tea) Salmon pink with a touch of orange, lighter on the petal reverse.. Strong, Sweet fragrance. High-centered bloom form. Vigorous, slightly spreading growth to a height of 2½' to 3' . Width of 2' to 2½' . Growing: Zone 4 thru 9. BS prone. Edland fragrance medal, New Zealand fragrance award. PEARL ESSENCE (Hybrid Tea) Light pink blooms. Fruity, Strong, Sweet fragrance. 25 to 35 petals. Average diameter 5". ... with free flowering, pinkish flowers having a high centered bud and open flower form on long stems; strong fragrance; and vigorous, upright, well-branched growth... Blooming habit: Continuous... Average open size of bloom is 41/2 inches... Average stem length is about 18-22 inches... Number of petals under normal conditions: 30-35... Fragrance: Strong; sweet (cotton candy)... Lastingness: On the plant: Long (about seven to eight days). As a cut flower: Long (about nine to ten days)... At maturity, height is 6 feet, width is 41/2 feet... Resistant to rust; susceptible to mildew and blackspot under normal growing conditions... Size: Height of 5' to 6' . Width of 4½' . Growing: Zone 7 and higher. PEARLY GATES (Climber) Light pink, medium pink. Spicy fragrance. 35 petals. Repeats its bloom again later in the season. Size: Height of 8' to 14' . PENELOPE (Hybrid Musk, Modern Shrub) Light pink fading to white. Flowers continuously with trusses of double medium sized blooms. Mild, sweet fragrance that travels. Semi-double bloom form. Excellent disease resistance. Large, arching shrub the height of 3' 4" to 8' . Width of 3' 4" to 5' . Growing: Zone 4 thru 10. Notes: Meg Peterson says this rose will do well in a partially shaded location. Orange hips. PENNY LANE (Large Flowered Climber) – Pearly blush with light apricot in the center. Large blooms with ruffled informal petals. Dark green, shiny foliage with flexible stems. Continuous flowering through fall. Zone 5. PERFUME DELIGHT (Hybrid Tea) Vivid pink with a light purplish tone, lighter on the petal reverse. Damask, sweet, spicy fragrance. 30 petals. Long pointed buds opening to cupped, full, large bloom form. Vigorous, upright, bushy habit, height of up to 4' . Width of up to 3' . Growing: Zone 5 and higher. PERFUMELLA (Hybrid Tea) Zone 7 and higher. Notes: Carlton Rose Nursery says this rose is deep pink to light mauve and it has great fragrance (like the name says)... PERLE D’OR (Polyantha )– Double narrow petalled blooms of honey pink, showing light apricot in their centers; this cultivar is supposed to be the most fragrant Polyantha; excellent repeat, the growth habit is identical to the bush form of Cecile Brunner; OK for no spray gardens. I (AL) find it lightly fragrant. PETER MAYLE (Romantica HT) 3-6 feet tall upright growth, somewhat shade tolerant. Long stems, deep, dark, Pink. Fully double flowers. Long lasting in the vase. This rose has it all. One of the strongest, most intense smellers you’ll find!@ PIERETTE PAVEMENT (Rugosa Hybrid) Deep pink blooms with a strong clove, fragrance. Average diameter 4". Button-eye, large bloom form. Repeats very well. Height of 2½' to 4' . Width of 3' to 4' . Growing: Zone 3 and higher. Shade Tolerant. Disease susceptibility: Disease resistant. PINK POODLE (Mini) – pink blend; Strong Fragrance of Sweet Peas, 16 inches tall zone 5-9) PONCET (Floribunda) Pink blend blooms. Strong fragrance. Repeats. Disease resistant. PRAIRIE HARVEST (Shrub) by Buck. Light yellow blooms. Strong fragrance. 45 petals. Average diameter 5". Double bloom form. Repeats. Height of 4' to 5' . Width of 3' . Growing: Zone 4 thru 9. One of the most disease resistant Bucks, suitable for a spray free garden. Scent is always present, morning, noon, and dusk. The color is an unusual limestone yellow. PH blooms very generously. Highly recommended. @ PRETTY JESSICA (austin) Deep pink blooms of mdium size, 41 petals. Old rose fragrance. Repeats. Bushy, low growing habit. Height of 2½' to 3¼' . Width of up to 2' . Growing: Zone 5 thru 10. PROSPERO (Austin) Large, deep crimson flowers that turn purple, Dark red blooms. Strong fragrance. 40 petals. Large bloom form. Repeats Not very robust. Height of 3' to 4' . Width of up to 4' . Growing: Zone 5. PUERTO RICO (Cluster-flowered, Floribunda, Tea) White, near white & white blend . Sweet fragrance. Repeats. Height of 4' to 6' . Growing: Zone 7 thru 9. PURPLE BEAUTY (Hybrid Tea) Mauve & mauve blend. Strong fragrance ARS rating 7.0. Zones 6-10. PURPLE PASSION (Floribunda, Hybrid Tea?) Mauve & mauve blend. Lemon, Strong fragrance. 30 petals. Average diameter 4¾". . Size: Height of 5' . Growing: Zone 7 and higher. PURPLE TIGER (Floribunda) Deep purple, striped and flecked with mauve pink.. Medium to strong fragrance. 40 petals. Repeats. Short bush, almost thornless. BS prone. Height of up to 2½' . Width of up to 22". Growing: Zone 5. QUATRE SEASONS (AKA Autumn Damask) Medium pink blowsy flowers with darker pink in the middle. Blooms in summer, then again in fall. Sparse and open plant, with yellowish green serrated leaves, needs full sun. Great for potpourri. Zones 4-10. QUEEN O’ THE LAKES Hybrid Tea, Sub-Zero Rose. Dark red blooms. Strong fragrance. Double bloom form. Repeats its bloom again later in the season. QUIETNESS- Buck Rose...pale pink blend, strong sweet scent. Not a lot of info out on this one, but Roses Unlimited carries it. RADIANCE (Hybrid Tea) – medium to deep pink with a lighter pink reverse; strong damask fragrance; vigorous growth habit to 5’ tall, with large, leathery, healthy foliage; Zone 5

This is from an [old post,[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/nearly-lost-this-one-most-fragrant-votes-2005-06-dsvw-vd~1719150?n=7) which I found interesting and helpful. Houzz sometimes deletes old posts, so I will copy it here. Since this was from 2007, I wonder if this opinion pole were repeated today, how it would be different. Posted by jpw_chi 5b Chicago, IL (My Page) on Mon, Nov 12, 07 at 13:47 Due to hard drive crashes, I nearly lost this list. Thanks to a thoughtful, wise Gardenweb member who clipped the results, I would have lost voting results to my informal survey of fragrant roses altogether. Counts were based on frequency of being mentioned in response to the question "What is the most incredibly fragrant rose that takes your breath away?" RE: the most incredibly FRAGRANT rose that takes your breath away (Follow-Up #122) 
posted by: jpw_chi on 10.08.2006 at 11:11 am in Roses Forum 
Here's the updated list for "most mentioned" (as opposed to true "favorites") for fragrance, with Double Delight and Mr. Lincoln now in a dead heat: 
 23x Double Delight (creamy white swirled with strawberry red) 
 23x Mr. Lincoln (dark red) 
15x Fragrant Cloud (coral red) 
 13x Chrysler Imperial (burgundy red) 
 13x Gertrude Jekyll (rose pink) 
 13x Jude the Obscure (honey) 
 10x Crimson Glory 
 10x Lemon Spice (pastel yellow tinted pale pink) 
 9x Abraham Darby (Austin, apricot blend) 
 9x Francis Dubruiel (dark true red) 
 9x Papa Meilland (dark red) 
 8x Evelyn (Austin, apricot pink blend) 
 8x Heirloom (dark mauve blend) 
8x Rose de Rescht (vivid fuchsia) 
 8x Secret (white tipped pink) 
8x Sharifa Asma (Austin, pearly pink) 
 8x Sunsprite (bright yellow) 
 8x Sweet Chariot (purple blend) 
 8x Tiffany (pink/yellow blend) 
 7x Angel Face (1968, dusky mauve) 
 7x Melody Parfumee (deep plum fading to clear lavender) 
 7x The McCartney Rose (ruffled, few petals) 
 7x Yves Piaget (Romantica, hot pink) 
6x Granada (yellow, orange, scarlet tricolor) 
 6x Just Joey (clear apricot) 6x Mirandy 
 6x Scentimental (white striped with red) 
 6x Secret Garden Musk Climber 
 6x Zephirine Drouhin (cerise pink) 
5x Blanc Double de Coubert (pure white) 
5x Frederic Mistral (Romantica, light cool pink) 
 5x Heritage (shell pink) 
 5x Intrigue (rich reddish purple) 
 5x Madame Isaac Periere (raspberry pink) 
 5x Memorial Day (lilac pink) 
 5x Oklahoma (dark red) 
 5x Reine des Violettes (cerise pink deepening to soft purple) 
 5x Rouge Royale (Romantica, cherry red) 
 5x Souvenir de la Malmaison 
 5x Sutter's Gold 
 5x Velvet Fragrance 
 5x William Shakespeare 2000 
 4x Alec's Red (1970, subdued red) 
 4x Baronne Prevost (medium pink) 
 4x Blue Girl a/k/a Blue Moon 
 4x Elle 
 4x Full Sail 
4x New Zealand (flesh pink) 
 4x Othello (inconsistent maroon/blue-red color) 
 4x Tamora (Austin, clear apricot) 
 4x The Prince (Austin, imperial purple) 
 4x Tipsy Imperial Concubine (pink blend) 
 4x Yolande D'Aragon (rich rose pink) 
 3x Bella Roma 
3x Buff Beauty (soft apricot yellow) 
3x Cécile Brunner 
 3x Compt de Chambourd (lilac pink) 
 3x Darlow's Enigma (pure white) 
 3x Distant Drums (mauve blend) 
 3x Falstaff (raspberry red) 
 3x Fragrant Memory a/k/a Jadis 
 3x Fragrant Plum 
 3x Golden Zest 
 3x Jardins de Bagatelle (creamy white edged pale pink) 
 3x La Reine Victoria (dusty pink) 
3x Louise Odier (medium pink) 
 3x Madame Hardy (snowy white) 
 3x Perfume Delight 
 3x Radiance (pink blend) 
 3x Red Radiance (HT) 3x Royal Highness 
 3x Scentsational (clear mauve tinted orchid pink) 
 3x Sheer Bliss 
 3x Silver Shadows (pale silvery lavender) 
 3x Sombreuil (creamy white) 
 3x Sonia Rkyiel (soft coral pink) 
 3x Veteran's Honor 
 2x Apothecary Rose 
 2x Barbara Streisand 
 2x Belle de Crecy (cool medium pink) 
 2x Blossomtime 
 2x Bubble Bath (light pink) 
 2x Celsiana (light pink) 
 2x Clothilde Soupert (blush white with soft pink center) 
 2x Compassion (salmon pink) 
 2x Dainty Bess 
 2x Dolly Parton (garish orange red) 
 2x Dublin (MD) 
2x Earth Song (rose pink) 
 2x Eglantyne (Austin, clear porcelain pink) 
 2x Eugene de Beauharnais (crimson purple) 
 2x Felicia 2x Felicite Parmentier (light pink) 
 2x Fisherman's Friend (violent magenta) 
 2x Fragrant Hour 
2x Halloween (soft orange) 
 2x Harrison's Yellow (bright yellow) 
 2x Hot Tamale 
 2x Jaune Desprez (buff apricot) 
 2x Julia's Rose 
 2x Konigan von Danemark (pink blend) 
 2x Lady Hillingdon (egg yolk yellow) 
 2x Lagerfeld (silvery lavender) 
 2x Love Potion (florabunda) 
2x Lyda Rose 
 2x Madame Alfred Carrier (blush white) 
 2x Madame Pierre Oger (soft white tipped lilac pink) 
 2x Maria Shriver 
2 x Marie Pavie (ivory white) 
 2x Midnight Blue 
 2x Mrs B.R. Cant 
 2x Neptune 
 2x Peace 
 2x Petite de Hollande (medium pink) 
 2x Pure Perfume 
 2x Radiant Perfume 2x Rosa foetida 
 2x Sheila's Perfume 
 2x Shocking Blue 
 2x Sophy's Perpetual (pink blend) 
 2x St. Swithun (Austin, soft warm pink blend) 
 2x Star Of The Nile 
 2x Sterling Silver 
2x Sunday Lemonade 
 2x Thanksgiving 
 2x Topaz Jewel (yellow)