I don't personally have G. Nabonnand, but have heard many people on the forum say good things about it. If you're really interested, you might write a separate post and get reactions from people who actually grow it. Well, I hope Malcolm and all you Mrs. B.R. Cant lovers out there are happy. After having sworn over and over again that I would not buy another rose (and being really sincere about it), the thought of not having "the world's greatest rose" simply would not leave me alone. Over the last few days I've studied my place endlessly, searching for a large flat spot to hold this rose, and there simply was none that had any sun. This morning I had a Eureka! moment as I stood outside the house and looked down the driveway. It's very long and the terrain along it is hilly, but more than halfway down there is a flat spot where what we call the studio is located. About 20 feet away from the studio I found my spot for this rose! It just hadn't occurred to me to plant roses that far from the house but there is a water connection there and a huge rose like that would be a wonderful introduction to the roses around the house that aren't visible until you go around a curve on the driveway. Sanju, it just goes to show where there's a will there's a way. I need another rose like I need three eyes in my head but I've become convinced I have nothing quite like THIS rose in my garden. Oh gosh, how many times have I said that, and it's always been true. They are all different.... Ingrid

I have all 3, but of course note I'm in 9b. Chrysler Imperial - has to-die for fragrance. But, of the 3, blows the fastest. Each bloom lasts on the bush only a few days. To me, it's a rose to have for fragrance alone, but in trying to compare to Ingrid or VH as far as longevity or form - no where close. Ingrid Bergman - no fragrance for me. Blooms last longer than any rose I have - they'll last weeks on the bush. From a general bush look, I think it's my favorite of over 100 roses. The foliage is super healthy and dark green. Blooms are HUGE, and don't lose color, or fry in the heat. Color is slightly darker/deeper than VH Veterans Honor - also no fragrance for me. Blooms are the "most perfect" of the three in terms of form. Blood Red, do last a long time on the bush. Bush has more of the - blooms on the top of bush rather than throughout look. Bush is not as healthy for me as Ingrid, but it's still darned healthy. Size of bushes is all pretty similar - about 4' high. Both Ingrid and VH are wider than CI. I wouldn't be without any of the three. Each is phenomenal in its own right.

jont l - Where did you buy your EZ Flo fertilizer injector? I live in East Texas and grow a variety of roses. Several of the Buck roses are doing really well for me: Bright Melody, Do Si Do, Dorcas, Golden Unicorn, Prairie Sunrise, Prairie Star, Polonaise, Prairie Breeze, Winter Sunset, Pearlie Mae, Quietness, Prairie Square, the Countryman, Honeysweet - I have others that are first year roses that are looking good. Climbers: Crepuscule, Clair Matin, Allister Stella Gray, Lamarque, Rev d'Or, Peach Silk [not easily found now], Dortmund, America, Candyland, Fourth of July, Roberta Bondar, Compassion Hybrid Teas: Tahitian Sunset, Nicole Carole Miller, Alecs Red, Crimson Glory, Queen Elizabeth Floribundas: Wild Blue Yonder, Purple Heart, Honey Perfume, Gingersnap Shrubs: Outta The Blue, Chuckles [esp. like this one!]Cadenza, FJ Lindheimer Austins: Tess of the d'ubervilles, Molineaux, Belle Story, Lady Emma Hamilton, Miss Alice, Sister Elizabeth, Lady of Megginch, Blythe Spirit, James Galway, Pegasus, Scepter d'Isle, Sophys Rose There are so many good teas, chinas, etc. Impossible to list them all.

Hi Sheryl. Your Raspberry Cream Twirl is off to a great start. Have you tried starting a thread on the rose forum asking your question? You will get lots of great answers and lots of help that way. :-) When you do that, you may also want to include your general location or climate info, since growing roses has so many local nuances in each of our climates. Here in the inland Bay Area of CA, it gets very hot and dry. Raspberry Cream Twirl seems to handle the heat really well in my yard. It also gets HUGE. It is a vigorous climber here. The canes tend to go straight up, so I tie them all laterally. It grows very fast, so that’s a lot of tying! It’s almost thornless though so it’s not hard at all. It is definitely going to need those wires soon, so hopefully you hubby can get that done quickly! I don't fertilize here, but that’s only because my soil is very rich. I don’t spray anything for diseases or pests, but that’s because I like to have a permaculture/organic garden and it’s not hard to have that in CA. I defioliate it in the winter because roses don't defoliate on their own or go dormant here. I would start a new thread asking some of the additional questions so everyone can chime in, help, and give you some local advice pertaining to growing roses in your area. :-)