Alicia, The circular stone structure is what I call my Katrina feel good project. After the storm I had alot of tree damage and decided to build a fire pit out of old brick I saved from a tear down, and burn some wood. I actually use a projector from my damaged New Orleans office and hook it up to my laptop and speakers and show movies from the firepit on a pigoneer(small acadian brick building) nearby. It has been one of the best outdoor projects I have completed. I planted October Glory Maples around the pit this past winter and actually will install more landscaping this weekend. Here is a closeup of Clair Matin and a shot of the firepit. Clint

I would consider Kathleen Harrop much the same as Zephirine Drouhin. I have heard lots of different comparisons to the origin and they vary a lot. I mean, some find KH gets less blackspot, some find she has weaker growth, but to me it looks like the difference is caused mostly by the fact they are different plants. Märtha is the only ZP sport I really suspect has noticeably stronger growth. KH took several years before she wanted to climb here, and now after five years one of my plants is just above 2 metres. In my area she doesn't grow much taller it seems, but further south like Germany I have seen her grow taller and larger. It looks like this rose needs time and a bit of luck to become a climber. I've not entirely made up my mind on these roses, I have however had very good experiences with them. In good summers and with good care they can bloom continously, and long into autumn.

Clair Matin is a great repeat blooming climber. Most everyone seems to like it but it seldom is recommended when a climber recomendation is requested. Many exhibitors grow it as it shows well and often wins awards. It's highly rated by the ARS, 8.8, and in my garden is disease resistant, grows well, and relatively hardy. Mine survives with only oak leaves as protection.

LOL, well, let's say I want you HERE instead of the Antiques Rose Forum. I'm always pestering Boxofrox and you for your lovely roses. I just love our rose gallery because we can talk about life and lots of things at our Gallery, it is really like having a cup of tea and relaxing! and strolling through the gardens! Everyone who goes to the Antiques forum tend to disappear for long lengths of time which is so disappointing. If you disappear, it's like where did the rainbow disappear to???? I feel very lucky having you here at our Gallery! and I want to tell Ingrid and Florence, shhhh, don't say A.R.F! LOL! And just wait til Harold, Jim, and Boxofrox come back more regularly. They are one of the cheeriest people here with really fun personalities. It's still too cold for many people to come back to the Gallery January-March because their roses are not yet blooming or they've got other things that they're still sorting out. But once everyone's roses get to blooming we have tons of fun here! Christmas was also fun, because some of us still had blooms, while the rest of us got to share photos of Christmas lights, photos of cookies, and Lemon pie, haha! Back to Clair Matin, I like both colors of yours and Florence's. Yours has great contrast! It's not dark! It's got contrast: honey and violet-pink, very beautiful.