I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try countryrosegirl. I know our yard wouldn't look like it does if the 2 of us didn't work as a team to make it so. Be aware that Deb says I am sexy and I know she is just saying that to be kind to an old man :) Pauline, I couldn't believe how Deb had been treated when we met. One of my proudest moments was when her 5 year old son asked her why she didn't cry all the time anymore :) I should note that I have received much more than I have given in our relationship. I consider myself (know I am) the lucky one. Leslie, I was just teasing Harry. I knew what he meant :) Funny thing is.... I knew when I met Deb that she would find someone better for her and get tired of putting up with my ornery, uuhhh, self. I knew I was shooting myself in the foot giving her ego a boost. Advertising how wonderful she was would make that happen faster but she deserved so much more than the treatment she was getting. Had to do the right thing by her even though it would cost me. Could not imagine her putting up with me a year. 23 years should qualify her for sainthood LOL. Florence, the more self confident she becomes.... the more attractive she is :) Princess Debbie, I like the sound of that. Thank you Seil, Deb says Hot Romance looks great.... I think you got me in trouble :) She says Sweet Arlene is a sexy rose. I was told that I agree with her when I rolled my eyes. What have I done? digger

Beautiful bouquets everyone! Rosybunny, that's Royal Amethyst. It was new for me last year and has already become my best lavender. Grew to 5 ft tall its first season and was an absolute bloom machine...almost always completely covered in blooms, great fragrance and a good cut flower. It will blackspot in our humidity if not sprayed here.

Golden Zest has a very lemony scent, pretty strong but not overpowering. It's exploding with buds, just loves the rain! Here's another of Mr Lincoln later: Jen

"I suppose I'd need a green-house to attempt to hybridize." I wouldn't talk myself out of it too soon. I think a lot of us amateurs make do without a greenhouse (although there are advantages). One advantage for you would be the insulation that snow provides. I can think of at least one cross I would attempt if I lived in your zone and that would be Prairie Sunrise x Morden Sunrise. I just plant out in pots to overwinter outside (unless I end up with too many early germinations- then I bring in under lights). I already have nine new seedlings to start the new season out with: Personally, If I were you, I would look at the Explorer and Parkland series. Carefree Beauty is an excellent mother to start playing around with. I got rid of it because it gave me too many seedlings and it was too tempting to work with (because it's always in bloom). I have at least one keeper from it this year that I plan to carry forward: Carefree Beauty x Pope John Paul II (very fragrant- shrub rose like Carefree Beauty) Also. In a few days I should a have the fourth bloom open on my yellow. Because of its vigor and health I believe Knockout is involved in it somehow. Dad was probably (Knockout x Flirtatious). The small petal size, flower form (inside petals shorter than the outside), and the cherry edging also seem to confirm this. That does NOT explain the extreme doubleness of it though. It is somewhat like another seedling from this year- Flirtatious x (KO x Flirtatious).