Just a few thoughts from a hot summer climate on a couple of roses mentioned here. SECRET while a wonderful rose, does better in cooler climates, Our LADY OF GUADALUPE does just fine in our heat and after 7 years or so here still isn't over 4 feet tall. I can't imagine ever being without this wonderful rose in my garden.... I grew GUINEVERE as a standard and found it's blooms quite lovely. Don't remember any problems with heat tolerance..... EASTER BASKET was in our city's rose garden chock full of blooms in late summer after our usual months of blast furnance heat. It was noticelable from a distance and was on the shorter rounded side. Very nice. I don't grow it, but you may want to check into it for yourself. Good Luck......Maryl

Perhaps another to consider with similar coloring: Secret. Strong fragrance, good vigor, & average/good disease resistance (I don't spray & it is not growing in full sun, so trying to be fair about this assessment.) The main problem with all these soft colored roses has already been mentioned by Beth-thrips damage. It can be a real problem, giving you ugly brown-edged blooms unless you have an effective IPM (integrated pest management) balance or a spray program for control. (I have neither!) Thrips damage has become a bigger problem for me year by year as I've added more roses and have gotten more of a monoculture going on in the yard. Despite it's many good qualities, Secret will probably not survive the next culling to make room for new roses here, but if you can offer better conditions I think it's a fabulous rose. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Secret at helpmefind.com

Help! I have room for just one more peony and would like one that is fragrant and good for cutting. I think that I would be happy with either Moonstone or Mrs. FDR in terms of shape and colour. Does anyone have a preference? Is one more fragrant than the other.? Does one last longer in a vase? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone. Carol, those are blemishes on the outer petals, not aphids, I know all about them, especially in early spring. Patty, it is opening very slowly! We had rain all day yesterday and much cooler temps. We are supposed to have several warmer, sunny days in a row, I believe it will open and I will post a picture even if it's not perfect!