Oops, meant to post this on the Antique Roses forum. Although, you guys might be interested too :)

-Chris

Absolutely interested! When I got the email from Rogue Valley that they'd FINALLY released these roses for sale, I ran to their website to order them immediately. I also sent an email to Rogue Valley thanking them for offering these exquisite Barden roses. C'mon folks, let's sell them out of both of these roses so they have to keep them on active sales for a long time. These are truly unique colors in roses that will please the 'oddball' rose folks like me!

Cynthia

I managed to snag a LITTLE GREY PEARL last yr when they briefly put it up on the website. I have it in a small ceramic pot and it's doing very nicely. It's bloomed a few time this yr already. The bush is healthy and about 12" high and maybe 8" across. Blooms are tiny, like barely 3/4" when fully open, but they're the cutest true grey blooms with a slightly lighter center. I think the more lavender tones come out in cooler temps.

I'm still debating whether or not to order DAKOTA REDWING. Looks interesting. I wish they would come up with a supply of Paul's gorgeous brown stripey. I believe it was a sport of JOCELYN. I bet it's hard to propagate tho.

I love Golden Buddha, an amazing Paul Barden rose. Will check out LGP & DR. Thanks, Chris!

Oh, gosh I do so want Dakota Redwing!! Anyone have experience with it in the hot & humid South? My roses tend to grow quite a bit bigger than hmf & nurseries state. Maybe Paul will read this and chime in. I have a place I can put it; and underperforming OR Oklahoma is going to live at a neighbor's. Gosh, it's a pretty rose!

Holly - I think this is the first time Dakota Redwing has been commercially available, so that's why we're so excited. No one outside of Paul Barden and people he has directly shared this rose with have grown it in the US, as far as I'm aware. You definitely want to buy it while you can...

Cynthia

Well, I guess I can be a "test garden" for this rose in the South. I hope they still have one when I get paid next!

I ordered and received 'Dakota redwing' and 'little grey pearl' last week. Both were very nice sized plants and have since bloomed. I look forward to growing them in San Marcos, Tx.

I would love some updated photos of Little Grey Pearl if you have the time. How do you think the blooms of Little Grey Pearl would handle heat? Shrivel, sizzle, crisp? Also, how is the fragrance? They are available at Rogue Valley Roses now and I think I'm going to buy a few... but I'm contemplating putting myself on a wait list for Cafe Ole instead. Thank you for your help!

LGP has no fragrance.

Bummer! They are listed as fff (midrange fragrance) at Rogue Valley Growers. I ended up ordering some since they are available now and have only been intermittently available in the past. I will let everyone know if they seem to have fragrance in my yard once they arrive and start blooming. :)

I don't know why RVR lists this as having fragrance. That's an exaggeration IMO. I had no intention of naming or releasing this selection because of its complete lack of vigor, but Janet really, really wanted to pursue it, so I conceded. Set your expectations low.

Trospero, Do you believe Dakota Red Wing will do well in the South? I am in Raleigh NC.

Thank you. I will do that Trospero. Hope for the best, but plan ahead for the worst. Cafe Ole is my plan if LGP commits suicide. I had to try LGP though. Just had to. ;)

Cori Ann, I think Beth in NorCal has had LGP for a year. Maybe you can pm her & see how it's doing.

Here's some pics of LGP from this yr. It's done really well for me. Like I said, it's in a ceramic pot and seems to be very happy. Has decent repeat and the blooms last a good while. Looks like it must've gotten a touch of BS earlier in the yr, but it didn't last long.

I noticed DR was sold out for awhile last week, but it looks like they have some more because it's back in stock again. I should try it too...

Thank you for posting these Beth! The blooms are so fascinating when they're first opening. The unique lavender and taupe really shows then. I plan to pinch off all the buds for the first year, but after that I will update with some photos too. Trying to set my expectations low, but unique roses really excite and intrigue me.

@HollyWebster: 'Dakota Redwing' is likely to have serious problems with Blackspot in any region where disease pressure is intense. I am certain it's going to be an easy, vigorous rose in a climate like Raleigh NC, but you're likely going to have to make an effort to keep the foliage clean/healthy for best results. As Jeri would say, "YMMV".

I am sitting here, trying to decipher YMMV?!?! Anyway, I might give it a try anyway. BS is a major problem in my garden. I don't spray w/big chem, but have had good results with finely ground cornmeal. Especially if I'm diligent. Dakota Redwing is such an appealing rose; I feel like I have to give it a try. Thanks for your honest input and I look forward to hearing about more of your work! Golden Buddha is the only rose in my garden that I want more than one of the plant. Wonderful, happy rose which delights me @ time I see it.

YMMV= your mileage may vary

Sabalmatt and others... do you have an update on how Dakota Redwing is doing? It has been in my "cart" for over a month. Waiting to pull the trigger... hoping to see how it's doing for other guniea pigs first! ;)

One of my Little Grey Pearls is starting to leaf out. Seemed to do this almost immediately after I put alfalfa top dressing down for it.... coincidence? Can't act that fast right? Regardless, since I found out my dogs find alfalfa irresistible I probabaly (unfortunately) won't be doing that again!

I have a Dakota Redwing , Cori Ann, acquired mid Sept 2016. So far some pretty new foliage and one bud I can see coming on. Pretty late in the season to expect much this Fall, but so far so good.

Thanks Sheila! The foliage does look amazing. This is probabaly one of the first photos of foliage I have seen for Dakota Redwing ... most photos focus on the bloom.

It's all new foliage... but I love the dark green color and the deep red serrated edges. Almost as pretty as the bloom!