Hi Bart Having asked similar questions myself (Darlow's Enigma.....want, want) I think there are ways and means. The most fruitful source is, I think, through Bierkreek nurseries (Gods, hope I am not pre-empting Kim Rupert here) as they have an informal relationship through Kim who sends budwood over to Hans at Bierkreek. Try them - they are lovely and helpful (and have got Darlows on hold for me, yay)It may take a little time as they will want to build up nursery stocks but I think this is a good source for certain roses from across the pond. Kim (Roseseek) may well weigh in with more suggestions - Rose people are nothing if not generous with time and advice, I find. Cheers, Suzy

I like climbing roses, and yours are lovely. I like the fact that they get out of the range of our deer herds. What I don't like is some varieties do not want to drop their old bloom, and get looking ratty, and some of us living in the hills with steep ground have a tough time dead heading. Your garden is so lush it is hard to believe its in dry California. Al

OOOH-La-La Renee. Not just Pinkie but the rest of the lushness as well. I especially love #2 for the garden accents, color, and geometry. Plus I love shots that kind of play peekaboo and add depth with a glimpse into a distant part of the garden. I almost found myself stretching out my neck and cocking my head to try and see where the pathway led after the arch and the lawn. Not to mention the fact that DD adds a lot to any foto ;-)

My area tends to be rather ... dynamic for temperature ranges. This last winter was especially cold and harsh. That said, we also had more snow cover than usual too. My Climbing Pinkie is still young and last winter was its first in my garden. It had some die back, but still had several feet worth of cane for the slightly older growth. I expect for it to do fine in my zone after my previous research and opinion gleaning from these forums, and now with my albeit little experience indicating similar. Young plant, with spikes to -10 degrees, with some snow cover to help = still going strong and put out several 12' canes this year though it didn't bloom overly well and took a bit to take off this spring (but everything took a long time this spring).