My personal favorite is The Squire. In my humble opinion, Oklahoma is better than Mr. Lincoln. The flowers are darker red, more refined, and smell stronger. There are huge healthy ten foot bushes of it around Santa Cruz. I've grown Papa Meilland budded and own root, presently I have a virus indexed own root plant from Vintage Gardens. In all these years and different permutations, it has grown in small zig-zags, and the flower color has been more magenta red than blackish crimson. I keep hoping it will improve and look like the pictures of Papa Meilland, but it won't perform unless coddled and given high culture. I've given up this year and ordered Charles Mallerin instead to replace Papa Meilland. Depending on your needs, these red roses are worthy of your attention: Black Baccara Oklahoma Royal Canadian Crimson Bouquet Lavaglut Sympathie Linda Campbell Black Jade Climbing Altissimo Doorenbos Selection (Camara is one of my favorites, but its coloring is vermilion with tips blushing black -- not a true red)

There is a rose called lily marlene that is a lovely red colour and becomes bushy with prolific flowers.it grows to abt 3 ft.it can be pruned hard good luck chas

Very Pretty

My hubby sent me a beautiful bunch of chocolate roses, I cannot remember their name but they are a greenhouse grown rose. I was passing the florist whom happened to be a rose nursery as well to thank her for the beautiful bunch and I fell in love with this potted rose "Silk Hat" and since then I have been hooked on growing them and my husband now says he doesn't have to buy me anymore roses : ) Silk Hat is still one of my favourite roses. Saintin, come along to the SE Qld catch up at New Farm Park on Sun 4th Sept. You will get to meet rosies whom have a couple of months of being hooked to some whom have years. You will find out the winning roses for our climate as well. Lots of laughs with people who really understand your love of roses. If you need a lift let us know - look at the post catch up for SE QLD rosies. Cheers, Brissy