I'll need to look at my photos to remember all, but... I had been researching Wichurana Ramblers like Francois Juranville, Alida Lovett and Alberic Barbier... and I really liked photos of their blooms online, but seeing them in person, they just didn't do it for me. They looked healthy and happy (even in partial shade), but I just preferred so much more the look of Lavender Lassie and Penelope Hybrid Musks. I think in this case it's just entirely a personal preference thing. Also Francois Juranville didn't have a scent I could detect... while Lavender Lassie and Penelope, I loved the soft old-fashioned rose scent of. (and they are rebloomers... so double points for them.) I know lots of people love Crepuscule,... but the one I saw at Descanso, I wasn't a huge fan of, so I'm going to pass on it for a while. Just the color and shape I didn't like a whole lot. It was nice enough, you know... but with so many other choices, I preferred others. Their Cl. Maman Cochet looked very unhappy and crisped... but I've already bought one (its on it's way to me) so I'm going to give her a chance. I love how she looks in other people's photos and lots of people love her, so I'll try her. I had been considering some of the old noisettes,... especially since they originated in my home town... but I think I love MAC and Sombreuill (which I already have) and the two climbing Hybrid Musks I saw today so much more (and they're kinda similar) that I'm going to scratch the other noisettes off my list. I'm almost tempted to give up on the Reine Des Violettes (which I planted in late January) and replace with Baronne Prevost. RdV is pretty but it's SO purple from what I've seen in person... almost a blackish purple. I prefer more pinky-purples I guess? and it seems to take heat less well than Baronne Prevost...? The plants at Descanso were mostly healthy and blooming very well, but there were a few crispy petals around the edges. I know we've had some extreme hot winds lately that have damaged a lot of folks' roses around this area... so it's possible that BP was just more sheltered from the wind that RdV (RdV was definitely more out in the open....) Also, I worry about RdV wanting acid... and my soil is so alk. I think I just loved BP more for color reasons but I'll probably let RdV be and see how she does, and just also get a BP. I also saw climbing Aloha and bush Belinda's Dream... and while they looked healthy and happy, I just didn't care for them all that much compared to some others. Actually, right near Aloha was "Amy Johnson",.. which was a similar pink climber, but I liked it better for whatever esthetic reasons.

If you have an interest in Native Plants, the GA Perimeter College/Decatur Campus has a Native Plant Botanical Garden that is open to the public. Don't know if they have a guide available during weekends, but every plant is labeled, so a self directed tour is possible. The garden is accessible from the Panthersville Rd parking area, just beyond the Campus buildings. On the website below, click on Directions for map and driving directios from I-285. Enjoy your trip! Rb Here is a link that might be useful: Georgia Perimeter College/Decatur

I like Raintree Nursery on Moss Street. A good selection of natives, salvias etc. and very nice ladies working there. cajunmama

You should go to Hampton Park.Also walk around downtown and look into yards and talk to whoever is working in them. Sometimes they invite you in.You can e-mail me directly and I will give you my phone # and you can come and see our garden. Not to much now a little early in the season. If staying a little might be able to talk to some people about seeing some more