...not in my garden, but the first rose I always see here near me is a huge bush of 'Canary Bird'... it's always about a week ahead of my first to flower of the 45 I have outside, which for the last 10 years or so has been this one, usually known to us as 'Bengal Crimson' (Miss Lowe's var.).... opened today, and pinker than usual at this time of year, it should be darker, more reddish... but it's been cool and wet, then it turns pink...

I had hoped to get some more pics of this plant today, I had a nice little cluster blooming, but the wind was so bad this morning it blew off all the petals! Ah well, the rebloom is good enough that I'm sure I'll get another flush soon here. I did get a bloom from my Nightmoss though! And it survived the wind somehow? Who knows. Next up, it looks like Jeri Jennings & Snowfire - beyond that, I'm not sure, the last two winters have been brutal enough here that some of my plants took it extremely hard, to the point where I lost a couple of my favorites, and it looks like I might be down to rootstock suckers on a couple more. I think from this point on, I'm just going with own-root roses, they seem to overwinter better than grafted, potted stock from the nurseries here. Which means, an RVR order in the near future, when I get some extra cash!

That's great Beth! First blooms are the best!!! I wonder when I will get my first bloom. Last year I had to wait until the middle of May but the Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and daphodils are flowering a whole month earlier than last year - maybe the roses will also be earlier! Sharlene

flowersaremusic I agree with the color( I don't think any of the photos here capture it) it does have a russet tea coral almost tan color at the outer edges for the petals. It is a very unusual color. And it scents up my house when I do gather masses inside for a few days. Mine is 3 yeas old(4?) and and it has never stopped being PROLIFIC! It is also getting quite large..like 5ft x 5ft. In fact I am going to have to move it this winter. Unfortunately the flowers don't last as cut flowers..not for me any how and I cut them underwater and all. I love this rose..too bad it is getting so big... they show off in front my large LV RM windows..I live in Willamette Valley Ore. zone 7. Rocky acid clay soil. I am stingy with water. But water very deeply when I do.