Ellie, Dani and those of you who liked Redefined Design X Blue Eyed Bandit: I didn't get up early enough to get a good photo of the second bloom on this one. But there were some exciting new developments. In addition to the ends of the petals pinching, the two side sepals were quilling, AND in the sun the flower is diamond dusted! Not much change in color though. The halo was a little better defined today with a bit more blue lavender showing. I have three other seedlings from this cross, and one of those will bloom in the next week or so. But this one, an evergreen, has the largest fans, and the scape has a W top branch with two lateral branches. Not all the buds have developed on the laterals, but I can count 14 total so far. That's the best bud count I've ever gotten on a one-year-old seedling. Bud counts tend to get better as the plant matures, so I have high hopes for this one. Ed - Wouldn't you know it. The two you like are on opposite sides of the yard. But I agree they probably would look good planted together. Casey - Dips will set seed in high temps, but tets are very, very reluctant. That's why most hybridizers in hot climates have greenhouses to get bloom earlier and dab pollen while it's cooler. Breeders that will set seed in hot temps are very much valued by hybridizers. Luddy Lambertson told me he used Awesome Artist so much as a parent because it WOULD set seed when temps were in the 90s. Debra

Thanks all! ngraham - the good news is, VE multiplies like crazy. When she gets it right, the flowers are amazing. farmerbell - I didn't like that seedling when it first opened, but the blooms are getting better, and the bud count and branching are out of this world. In addition, it had instant rebloom this year. PP is my little beauty. Love her. Jessica - can you believe that some of them are just starting their first blooms? I got a bunch that are late and very late, so I could extend my season. Looks like it is working! Stargate Explosion just put up its first scape! Yippee! Nikki - I posted about the photo problem on your Star Child post.... hope it works out! I like PP too! okbt - she is a hardy little bugger... even though I slid down the hill and wiped out all 3 fans last fall, she came back beautifully and gave me quite a show. Love PP. Debra - thanks!! :o) MM is new to my garden (this spring), and is doing so well! Got another bloom this morning. Hoping the colors get just a mite brighter with settling. Gotta do my yoga, then I will try to post those Star Child photos... Thanks for all the kind words.

Zuzu is a beauty. I wish my garden pests would act more like yours. Bosco likes to jump on my shoulders while I'm weeding, which can make a tough job even more difficult. There's nothing here I don't covet. JDD looks amazing, as does Patsy Cline. How many times have I commented on that one? I don't remember seeing Once Upon a Time. It has such delicate coloring. How does it hold up during the day? Raspberry Twizzler and Stealth Bomber both look great. I hope some day my Stealth Bomber grows up to look like yours.

Thanks, everyone! I am having so much fun growing roses, I never liked gardening at all until I started with the roses last spring and now it is nice to see the rewards from all of that hard work! jaceysgranny -- thanks! I am really enjoying monkey business, I mainly bought it because I thought my kids would get a kick out of the name and I was intrigued by the "licorice" scent that was mentioned when I bought it (although I haven't really noticed it yet) Sara-Ann -- if I were to only have one striped one it would be Rock n Roll, I am just so impressed with the blooms and the rich colors. Give it a try and I think you'll love it too! Ingrid -- thank you for the compliments! RCT is great, I believe it was introduced in Europe under another name. My Julio bush is not that big but it sure likes to bloom! Lesley -- thank you :) Tammy -- Thanks!! I wonder what is up with your Grimaldi? Did you say it was still in a pot? Mine went straight into the ground from RU and it has loved it. I didn't get many blooms last year (a handful) but maybe it appreciated the Michigan winter? It did have a significant amount of die back but has bounced right back. I just noticed a huge basal cane coming up this morning so I am excited! My Raspberry C.T. is also from Edmunds and I cannot believe the growth on that one -- the most of all the roses I planted -- I'd say give it a lot of space if you can! Jeannie -- thank you! I think you'll love Raspberry Cream Twirl if you give it a chance. I got mine from Edmunds and it has been such a strong grower. Carol -- thanks, I love those stripey roses! My Paradise has no scent either but I love the blooms, they are shapely and seem to last quite a while on the bush without losing form. I bought a 3rd Paradise this year since my two from last year were such strong bloomer. I have one in a not so sunny location and it does surprisingly well so maybe it appreciates a little shade. How is yours with sun?