Rosefolly, et al., the tazettas and jonquillas also do well in my Central Texas garden as does the ubiquitous large-flowered, long-cupped narcissus Ice Follies, which just happens to be my favorite (it has come back and multiplied for 30+ years) along with the jonquillas. Although your climate may not match mine, I'm wondering if you've tried the small pink and white clusiana tulip 'Lady Jane'? It was recommended by Scott Ogden in his book 'Garden Bulbs for the South' so I tried it. Well, I'm now on my third year of growing it and so far so good with it returning - it makes a beautiful pink and white carpet and is a lovely change if anyone wants something besides yellow/white/gold. Another heirloom bulb that grows well in my climate is the hardy amaryllis 'St. Joseph's Lily (Hippeastrum x johnsonii). It might be good for you others in the south. I have a hard-to-find pink and white striped one that was passed along to me from a friend whose grandmother brought it from Louisiana. Do any of you grow this one? I'm planning to get more - some of the red ones. I'm also thankful for you who know so much about roses. Your conversations over the years have opened up a new world to me. So - thank you all for your suggestions and expertise.

THIS is the way your mother made her garden grow. She traded thriving plants with friends and neighbors. Which is exactly what we'll be doing at the New England Plant Swap this Spring. Sharing is the best part of gardening. When a plant does well enough here in New England, others want to know about it. They'd like even more to HAVE some of it. If you haven't been to a good, old-fashioned plant swap, you're in for a treat. Pot up your excess prized plants to share. Load up your bounty and head to beautiful Adams Farm at 999 North St. in Walpole MA on June 2, 2012 at 9 am. There, you will meet other, friendly, local gardeners with their booty for sharing. It's simple, free and fun for all. For each plant you bring, you can take a plant from someone else. All the details are at our web site: http://www.newenglandplantswap.org or we may be reached at info@newenglandplantswap.org. We look forward to seeing you there. Your mother would be proud. In fact, BRING your mother and other friends who like to share. Here is a link that might be useful: 2012 New England Plant Swap

Thank you so much for the photos, Alana. The blooms are very similar. Ombrée Parfait is as rich and yummy as OdJ. I know that some of the purple Gallica varieties do have smaller blooms than others such as CdR, for one. Your OP looks like it boasts CdR's form and white-based petals (petal part emerging from the receptacle--whatever that portion is called) crossed with Tuscany Superb's burgundy wine coloring. Pretty! :-) It will be interesting to see how the blooms on OdJ compare to OP's as your plants mature. My garden is increasingly becoming saturated with purple OGRs! Of course, that's a good thing, right? I continue to wait for OP/Alice Vena plus another purple Barden rose or two...plus, perhaps, Tour de Malakoff. I wish I could cram William Lobb into my tiny lot! Then I start ambushing friends with my gifts. Carol

I'm not sure I'd be overly worried about the JM's. If established in the ground, they should be able to take temps down to -20F pretty well, although some specific cultivars may behave a bit differently. And you can get some winter dieback from upper branches.....but that happens here as well and we never get anywhere that cold! It just seems to be a JM phenomenon, more so with the weeping dissectums than the uprights. I prune out deadwood every spring!