Thank you for the info kstrong. I have Let Freedom Ring and picked up additional bare roots from the nursery last weekend. I ordered both Veterans' Honor and Opening Night but then thought they were the same so I exchanged Opening Night for Firefighter. Good thing that's not a bad decision since I really like florist/exhibition roses form that can perform well in the garden. Here are the reds that I have (include the new bare roots): -Scarlet Knight (my first red when I didn't know a lot about roses. I'm still learning.) - Mr Lincoln (it turns pink sometimes and doesn't bloom very often) - Ingrid Bergman - Veterans' Honor - Firefighter - Chrysler Imperial - Love's Promise - Black Magic I have a small garden but decide to set a goal for myself to plant the most velvet red HT rose. Wish me luck :)

VH has fair disease resistance for me, not the best but not the worst. I agree with harmony that it is a slow starter in the spring but once it gets going it is quite a vigorous grower. It does much better once it gets really warm and never flinches when it gets really hot so it should do great in a warmer zone like yours.

Thanks Arcus - I love looking at all of your varieties. I wait with anticipation to see which ones you are going to show us next. Yes, your Black Magic is gorgeous!. Noticed you have Liebeszauber, I like it too and Let Freedom Ring. I will admit though I prefer the more fragrant ones. I'm hoping Firefighter will be a long lasting one for me, it definitely has the fragrance!

I don't grow it either. Sorry. I have been looking at growers and suppliers comments about this rose and one comment was that there is some pinking of ageing blooms. This might affect the aesthetics when planted next to the Turks cap, which looks to have more orange tones. Might be my screen though. I hope someone who really knows this rose will give you an answer. At least Jim and I have bumped you up the list. :-) Melodye