Pinching off the buds seems to matter more for those of us in cold zones, since we need more than anything to have a strong root system established before winter. Second to that is a strong cane or two, and blooms are not necessary in the first year except to establish that you have the right rose. People in warmer zones don't necessarily have to pinch off buds since they have a much longer growing season and a less harsh winter, unless they want to pinch buds to build strength to survive the hot periods. In zone 6, it will help your roses build strong roots if you pinch off the buds, but for stronger cultivars well suited to your zone it may not matter as much. Basically my philosophy has become to pinch off buds of anything that looks weak or is less than knee high with several branches, even if it's a year or two old. I can stand to do that because I have a lot of roses. Once the rose wants to bloom faster than I can pinch off the blooms (like Southern Peach or most of the Easy Elegance roses this year), I don't bother pinching and figure it's already strong enough. Bottom line is it's not necessary but it can make a difference in relatively marginal or small roses in your climate. Cynthia

Lovely, all of them. Rita, my life just became more complicated. I must have 'Easy Goin' and it looks as if 'Orania' lilies would look good with it. Since there's no room beside 'Orania' for a rose, then I'll have to extend the yellow rose bed and add both and of course I'll need a daylily that compliments them and something for edging.... It isn't your fault, of course. 'Easy Goin' has been on my list for some time. I thought I could placate myself with that 'Sunny' KO.... ;) Nell

I agree with everyone else, those pics are GORGEOUS. I would love to be able to see them on a full page, but I can imagine what they would look like! Thank you so much. Well done! Pauline - Vancouver Island

I hope the pine bark works on the news ones I just planted but if I decide to stay in this house, next year, I will plant roses with the Fortuniana roots. I may even do that this year, I can take these back but some are blooming, I don't want to dig up the roses now. I do know I will not bother with any roses other than Fortuniana root ones from here though. In the meantime, I am going to mix up the fertilizer you suggested and hope it helps the other roses from last year bloom! Thank you again!! Lisa