Hi again, rose friends! Just popping in to say 'thank you' to all of you for your enthusiasm, kind words, and for appreciating roses like I do. That 50-degree day was short-lived. I guess I shouldn't have gotten so excited. Tonight it is down to 17 degrees.....tomarrow it will struggle to get out of the twenties. Winter is hanging on. melva....,my Duchesse de Buccleugh is about 5 1/2 feet tall; she is only a couple of years old though....not sure of her mature dimensions. (I'm not sure if it will get the same size in your warmer climate or not.) york rose.....believe it or not, with over 350 rosebushes I still water all my roses by hand, by myself. We live out in the woods so we have our own artesian well (very deep) so I never have had to worry about running out of water, just time and patience....lol. Watering all those roses is probably my least favorite rose-chore, especially getting all tangled up in the extra-long hoses. Krista....its good to know you see what I see in 'John Hopper'.....he's FINE. Carla....Thanks for your sweet comment! organic....Yes, she is a DIVA, that Gloire des Mousseux...lol! Gean....so glad you are getting something out of my posts...thanks. I like 'introducing' you all to the roses, because I am so enthusiastic about them. aroidgardener....Excellenz is a wonderful, charming rose. You were SO smart in getting that one! I forgot to mention that the blooms last a very long time on the bush and are great for bouquets. Mark....Happy Spring to you as well....thank you for taking the time to read my post and for letting me know you enjoyed it! Tammy....Pinks are my favorites as well. I have way more pink roses than any other color. Eric....careful of those roses....they like to whip out a thorny cane when our backs are turned! Centifolia variegata is the sneakiest of my roses....I swear she waits for me to turn around and hooks me like a big fish and reels me in...lol. (but I love her still) Deb....I think you are right....roses do need that extra caress and a few 'sweet nothings' once in awhile. My neighbors can attest to the fact that I am in love with my roses....quite a few times I have gotten weird looks from them when they hear me talking and there's nobody there....lol. twohuskies.....I know what you are going through....I placed all my rose orders early and yet I am still pining away for yet more roses that I don't have room for! I am running out of land, time, money, etc. but I can't stop myself! Luxrosa...Pink or white Albas...there is nothing more beautiful. I am glad you know this too! And I can well understand your wanting to marry Long John Silver. I have him too, and he's a charmer. He can make you weak in the knees, can't he? Rose-fever is one 'sickness' I hope I never recover from....lol. Thanks, everybody! Celeste

TY!!! I started out with two of them a couple years ago. This one is planted on the north side of a fence facing south. So from late Fall to Early Spring it is in full shade. The rest of the year it gets basically full sun. My other one was planted across the yard in the wide open and received full sun no matter the time of year. It got scorched often and I finally pulled it last year. Both came from the same place, planted the same time and in similar soil. The light exposure is the only reason I can come up with for such a drastic difference. I am very pleased just to have the one doing so well. Made the other one look so sad and I replaced it with a rose that is doing great in its old home.

Thanks for all your comments! I haven't posted all summer because I was so busy but its good to be back with all my friends here. Winter's coming and rose season is ending, so its time for posting! It was a beautiful and crisp day here today and the foliage is outstanding this year, no doubt to an extra-rainy summer. Tonight they mentioned the 'S' word is a good possibility with the temps getting cold enough for it. That would make a good photo....snow on roses!! This was the shortest summer I remember. It rained almost every day of June and this summer it never got hot. The roses did just fine, though. Beth, White Gold is new for me this year and I am SO pleased with it. It grew quickly and put out loads of blooms, which as you can see are very full and lovely. Even better, the foliage is so incredibly glossy and healthy that the entire plant was picture-perfect all summer. You can even see from the photo above that the leaves are shiny and disease-free...(I never sprayed it). I highly recommend this rose. Carol, Littleton is a bit north of me, but we do go up to the White Mountains often on our motorcycle for scenic rides or to go hiking. Its not too far. Mount Washington and the presidential range appear even larger and more grand when viewed from a motorcycle! I feel very small indeed! I do love my state, which is why I endure the long, cold winters. It really is beautiful here. I just wish the rose-growing season was longer. Anne, I was selective in my picture-taking, that is why you don't see any balled-up, frozen and crumpled blooms. But most of the buds and blooms are junk right now...these somehow escaped damage. Yes, Quietness is amazing in every way. She stands over 4 feet tall and wide and is one of the last roses to give up blooming in the fall...right now she must have 2 dozen blooms on her with many buds still. I love how winter-hardy and healthy she is, and so lovely. If she was fragrant she would be perfect. Even so, she is one of my favorites. Thanks again to all who commented or viewed my pictures.... I hope you all are enjoying your Fall. Celeste

And most of the time, the plants need to have a year or so to settle into their new homes. Lots of their energy gets channeled into establishing new root systems, etc. so your blooms may not be up to normal until the plants are in place for a year or so, and like floota said, lots of water helps. Jan