Oooh, Patrick, what you said about a Pedro Dot rose with the name "Lila Vidri" is exactly the type of info I was looking for all these years... thank you so much! It just seemed to me that if this rose is so great, and some random woman supposedly brought it over from Italy and gave it to Arena 10+ years ago, that some very knowledgeable person out there in rosedom would have made a connection by now as to what it actually is. And the similarity in name further makes the case. You have to wonder, though, if Arena knew it was "Lila Vidri" (obviously they did b/c of the slightly morphed name they gave it), why didn't they just sell it as such, since it was obviously way out of patent? Looking in my 2008 CRL book, I see the listing for "Lila Vidri" by Dot. Year of intro 1958, so the patent is not an issue, LOL. The Help Me Find listing is typically incorrect, in that it refers to it as being "widely available", but with no vendors listed. Anyway, thank you so much Patrick for this info. It doesn't make any real difference in my growing of this rose, other than answering the question I've had about it for so many years. As far as whether it's a FL or a HT, well... I have always considered it a FL, but not a typical modern FL. It's sort of like Kanegem, in that it blooms in clusters, but can bloom singly. Or how Apricot Nectar has really big blooms, and it is a FL. Very much like some HTs always bloom in clusters. The HT/FL distinction can be indeed indistinct. What Hershi says about there being no FLs in Europe would match this rose perfectly. I wouldn't call it a large-bloomed rose in comparison to normal HTs. But it definitely has excellent form until it finally blows. And the fragrance is to die for. Pamela, the three I currently have in my garden are all well-established bushes. It's not a huge bush, but plenty vigorous. I've made tons of cuttings of it for friends, and it roots extremely well. Since Cliff and Paul Z both seem to have references to this rose on their websites, presumably these guys have, or have access to, it and can propagate this rose. I'd suggest contacting them to encourage them to sell it. Susan

I always wondered about this rose. It's a gorgeous rose with great scent. I'm glad you're going to put it back into commerce Paul!! Everybody who loves lavender roses should have it!

After reading upon LUIS DE FUNES I decided I need it as well as LADY OF SHALLOT. I haven't heard one bad review of LADY. Would dearly love to see LIEBESZAUBER in person. Lovely form. Does it shout at you across the garden? Or is its color more like Mr. Lincoln? Hoping someone would post a better picture of Lavaglut than this one I snapped long ago in spring. The color was not as blackish red and the flowers were smaller than I'd imagined. Lavaglut - Kordes '78, florib, excel rating at HMF

Well Beth having now been to your house I have a new appreciation for the pictures I see here. Your place was absolutely amazing. I'm still trying to process so many roses being in one place! That and the fact that you know who they all are as well as being able to name the countless iris mixed into your garden. Darn impressive indeed. All these are lovely. I can't single one out as they're all so pretty. Thanks for those. Kate