Maybe, if the others were dead on arrival, the remaining plant was also weak? This year I ordered roses from 8 different vendors (from 6 of them I haven't bought plants before, so was careful) and the difference is really visible, from some nurseries plants are lush and thriving, when from other sources they struggle. Over here they sell it grafted, but also I heard an opinion that many older modern roses are less vigorous than what comes out of current breeding programs. Grafting may make a difference with slower growers.

Wow hug, what a perfect representation of Easy does it. It is honestly one of my favorites. I have one in a pot that I just found a space for in the front yard. I know it will be much happier with the other orange and purples.

Sarah, you beat me to it! But thanks for posting it because I've been so busy. I must say I prefer the title you originally posted under: " I want pink thingies in the middle of the bloom! WAAAAH!" You must of matured since then, which may be good for you but not as entertaining for us! Stamens are composed of two parts: filaments (the stem-like parts that holds up the anthers ) and anthers (the balls containing pollen). Red anthers is what I want...WAAAAH! Here's a rose that puts most of its energy into the red stamens filaments and anthers, and not much into petals: http://sproulrosesbydesign.com/H69_GEBLminiroseredanthers.htm Ahhh. it's a mini. My preference is for fragrant roses that have more petals. I wonder which of these wonderful suggestions fit the bill: fragrant, red (or anything but yellow) anthers, and fuller rather than single. I read that Red Letter Day is a beautiful rose, I would love to have one! But it is very rare. As far as Lavender Simplex goes, you might try to track thru Trish at Ashdown roses. Heres the link re: breeder Sean McCann's roses http://www.ashdownlibrary.com/Library/Hybridizers/HYSeanMcCann.htm -Gala

Carol: Rhapsody in Blue is a semi-double rose ... but this was the first bloom of the year and it appears almost single. I will post some full bush pics later when it really starts to bloom. Yes normally I do not care much for single or semi-double rose blooms but Jacqueline Du Pre is so elegant!!! The first 2 years it had BS, but the last 2 years it has been healthy! And I see 3 new big basals coming this year so finally it is beginning to get more bushy. The pink stamens are give this rose a ephemeral beauty not many other roses posses. And I like to use white rose to divide different classes of roses ... This roses is between the the bourbons and the mosses I grow. I grow Eden as shrub rose too ... it will not climb for me but makes a 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide bush here in its 3 year.