I am going by the peach bible, Peaches of New York, for the origin of Indian Free. Here is what it states: Indian Blood Freestone. 3. Am. Pom. Soc, Cat. 28. 1873. 4. Ga. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 25. 1876. Blood Free was probably raised by John M. Ives, Salem, Massachusetts, and is distinct from Blood Cling in having its stone free. The American Pomological Society placed the variety in its list of fruits in 1873 as Indian Blood Freestone but in 1897 shortened the name to Blood Free. Tree vigorous, hardy; fruit of medium size, compressed; apex roundish; skin greenish-white overspread with splashes and stripes of dark red; flesh blood-red throughout, juicy, coarse, tough and meaty; quality fair; stone free; season very late. This description (besides the fair rating) seems accurate, in particular the "very late". This description is also quoted in the ARS system which likely has the Indian Free that nurseries are propagating today. I looked at that Texas bulletin and it stated mid August which seems too early. So, I think the Indian Free of today is this same peach with reasonably high probability. There were many red-fleshed peaches floating around the US so there always could have been a mix-up somewhere over the years. Scott

A. - check both websites - avsa.org and gesneriadsociety.org for VENDORS All of them ship =so even you do not plan to travel - you can get everything by ordering - and right now it will be cheaper - no need for winter packaging. To my regret I never visited The Violet Gallery - the owners are great people and I see them on conventions with a very good selection of plants. But I made it to the Violet Barn 3 years ago - and the drive is terrific - Finger Lakes, Bristol mountains - to die for - and everything at their shop is so well organized - zillions of perfect blooming minis and the sunroom with lush blooming Ma's standard AVs on the middle table and gorgeous kohlerias, columneas and whatnot closer to the windows. Good Luck Irina

Hi Rosefolly, I have been growning roses for more than a decade now in Eastern Ontario, home of the Canadian Explorer Roses. If you want foolproof cold climate roses, this is the place to trial them. As this is the Antique Roses Forum, I was initially hesitant to post about cold hardy roses for the harshest climates, but since Explorer Roses and Dr. Buck's roses have now been mentioned, I'll put in my two bits worth. I have not had a lot of luck with OGR's here in Eastern Canada. Most Bourbons and Portlands seem a bit tender here. The exceptions are Louise Odier, Comte de Chambord, Jacques Cartier, and Rose de Rescht if planted deep and own root. I have tried a few Albas and failed. Limited space has kept me from trialing the Gallicas, Centifoias, Mosses and other once blooming OGR's that I would like if I had room. However, with winter protection the list broadens a bit, particularly if you mulch a bit with straw and grow own root roses. Many David Austin Roses and Griffith Buck roses do very well here particullarly with some straw for protection. The really fool proof ones for me are: Buck; Prairie Harvest, Prairie Sunset, Quietness, Folksinger, Pearlie Mae and Hawkeye Belle. David Austin: Saint Cecilia, Mayflower, Evelyne, Charles Darwin, Crocus Rose, Mary Rose and her sports Redoute aand Winchester Cathedral, Cressida, Teasing Georgia, Alexandra Rose, Abraham Darby (protected sight), The Reeve, Lilian Austin, Radio Times. Climbing Roses are few and far between. The ones I can recomend are: Isabella Skinner (Victorian Memories), John Davis, Northern Encore, Polsterjarnin (Once Blooming), William Loeb (Once Blooming Moss), Morden Snow Beauty. Of course, all or the Morden and Explorer roses from Agriculture Canada are wonderful and hardy in the cold zones. Below is a link to the site of the Canadian Central Experimental Farm Garden in zone 4 Ontario. Both the heritage rose garden cultivars and the official Canadian Explorer Rose Garden. if you want to see what we grow up here with winter protection,lots of OGRs in the heritage Rose Garden,and the Explorer Rose Garden are listed. Enjoy and greatings form the "Great White North". Cheers, Rideau Rose Lad, aka Rick Cheers from the Here is a link that might be useful: Central Experimental Farm Gardens

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