I haven't grown Rio Samba, but have admired the ones I've seen. Here is one consideration that occurs to me. Is Rio Samba hardy to Zone 5? A lot of modern roses are only hardy to Zone 7 or barely hardy in Zone 6. If it isn't rated at least Zone 5, I'd give it the boot. Why worry about it nearly dying every winter? Since a number of roses don't kick in until their 3rd year, I'd be tempted to wait another month and give Rio a chance to redeem itself. But if it doesn't do something impressive, then I'd kick it out of my garden and find another rose that likes me and my garden better! Kate

Thank you all for lookiing and commenting on my roses.The photos are not so good.I meant to go out and take some m ore of Rio Samba today,as the blooms wasn't fully open yesterday and today they have opened up and they are huge.Thanks Judy, I love the striped roses,just don't have many.I have a George Burns should have blooms very soon,and I have Rockin Robin which has very small little blooms,and its full of buds right now. Beth,Thank you.Won't be long I will have more blooms,at least inside the little fenced area where the deer can't get to them,but so far I am lucky they haven't ate up anything yet this spring.I just wish I could take beautiful photos like yours. Leslie,Thanks.I had not noticed that I had some daylilies in the photo,till you commented and I had to go look and see :).I have been so excited all weekend, with these two bushes with blooms,and yesterday I got a package in the mail that surprised me from a friend I met on daylily forum and she sent me 6 new daylilies,and one of them was one I had wanted so bad,but it was just too expensive for me to buy.When I seen it the tears started,I was so excited about it.Today I was outside m ost of the day planting them.Takes me forever to do things as I am not a spring chicken and have severe back problems to boot,but I am determined to work in my garden.Leslie, what new ones did you get? I love daylilies as well as my roses. Thanks,, Jean

Ooooh!!! What a perfect bloom!! The shape is perfection and I love the color. Well done! Carol

Nice bloom. For me, it's not all that great of a rose. The blooms blow really fast. But if you catch it in the early stage, it's quite lovely.