Beautiful photos. I think I need one of those Hong Kong Orchid Trees!!! I have some seeds for a shrub type with red flowers that is related to it but haven't planted them yet.

Thanks again to everyone for your very nice and encouraging comments. Always makes me want to improve as a gardener! hoovb. If I have enabled Y O U to a rose, I guess that would make me a Rosarian ;-)! I have to admit you are one of my garden idols! Carol, for some reasons Iceberg roses simply love Southern California and all the rain that we had this year has just let them explode into the spring flush. Beth, I am glad that you like my photos. As for the scrub jays, I don't recall seeing them the first two years that we have been here, but this winter suddenly they showed up at the feeder. Masha, I am always happy if someone likes my "White Bed". I guess there are people, who think it is just plain boring or too monotone, but I like to experiment with the nuances of white and find it very exciting! Krista, thank you so much for your wonderful compliment, that is rather flattering! I didn't know that your Mme. Ernest Calvat is also so young. It might be interesting to compare how our roses are doing in the very different climates that we are gardening in. Serena, it is always nice to have bird guests in the garden, isn't it? You have a very eloquent way to use words "Even Lady Guadalupe shows sheer elegance the way you portrayed her", thanks for saying that! Florence, it gives me joy that you like my garden! Christina

Thanks, everyone! I am having so much fun growing roses, I never liked gardening at all until I started with the roses last spring and now it is nice to see the rewards from all of that hard work! jaceysgranny -- thanks! I am really enjoying monkey business, I mainly bought it because I thought my kids would get a kick out of the name and I was intrigued by the "licorice" scent that was mentioned when I bought it (although I haven't really noticed it yet) Sara-Ann -- if I were to only have one striped one it would be Rock n Roll, I am just so impressed with the blooms and the rich colors. Give it a try and I think you'll love it too! Ingrid -- thank you for the compliments! RCT is great, I believe it was introduced in Europe under another name. My Julio bush is not that big but it sure likes to bloom! Lesley -- thank you :) Tammy -- Thanks!! I wonder what is up with your Grimaldi? Did you say it was still in a pot? Mine went straight into the ground from RU and it has loved it. I didn't get many blooms last year (a handful) but maybe it appreciated the Michigan winter? It did have a significant amount of die back but has bounced right back. I just noticed a huge basal cane coming up this morning so I am excited! My Raspberry C.T. is also from Edmunds and I cannot believe the growth on that one -- the most of all the roses I planted -- I'd say give it a lot of space if you can! Jeannie -- thank you! I think you'll love Raspberry Cream Twirl if you give it a chance. I got mine from Edmunds and it has been such a strong grower. Carol -- thanks, I love those stripey roses! My Paradise has no scent either but I love the blooms, they are shapely and seem to last quite a while on the bush without losing form. I bought a 3rd Paradise this year since my two from last year were such strong bloomer. I have one in a not so sunny location and it does surprisingly well so maybe it appreciates a little shade. How is yours with sun?

What I read was 4-6 inch softwood cuttings kept in a moist but well drained condition. Expect 4 weeks to root. I seem to be able to root about everything this time of year using my north facing side (ferns) with the heat and high humidity. Recent successes have been passionflower, Georgia savory, and a broken off achimenes.