So clean and pristine looking... they're all beautiful....don't think much of your decapitated shake though....I know, what else could you do, you certainly couldn't pull him out! Well at least you had the courage to handle the situation yourself, I would have gone screeming for someone else to do the dirty work.... Donna

I have both and I'm in zone 5, but I can't tell you about hardiness since they're both new roses for me this year. In general, I wouldn't worry about Olivia Rose being hardy in zone 5/6, since it's a rare Austin that doesn't survive that zone. Princess Charlene got my warmer spot of the yard just in case, but she looks like she has a good shot at winter survival. Like others have posted, she's already much bigger than Olivia in her first year. Not the 8' that you get in California, but she might get to chest height in a year or so which for me is really big. She's so far a middle of the bed rose, but not small like Olivia. Like others, I'm no help on fragrance, and Olivia hasn't bloomed in her first year as many of my new roses don't get that far in their first summers. Cynthia

Totoro - my first location was under a tree - had good filtered light throughout the day, but never good direct sunlight. And it was a spot where he didn't get enough water and it was a favorite grow spot for weeds and I had a few misses with the weedeater and chopped him up pretty good. So basically, everything was against him. But I do also remember the lady at the nursery saying "good luck" to me specifically about GH when I bought the 4. Since he was so puny (literally 2 shoots about 5" high) when I potted him, I still wanted him in a protected spot. He gets about 5 hours of sun, and water daily (it's hot in California!), and pot has good drainage. Now that he's about 2' tall and 1.5' wide, I'm wondering whether to put him in a bigger pot, or try planting again. He's so happy in the pot, I think I'm going to try the former. He's a delicate lad, but I like a challenge.

I know, right? I felt like I had to have this rose because it’s named for “our” Jeri. I’m doubley glad that it’s such a beautiful rose! I can’t wait to see those rich yellow colors on mine, Jeri. I was amazed at how fragrant these first two blooms are, especially with how hot and dry it is. I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy having Jeri with me every day. She’s only going to get better with age, just like her namesake :). Lisa