Well, I wouldn't be doing it with The Dark Lady. These plants are 12-14 INCHES tall. But, for the ones that DO grow like Octopi -- Yes. I believe that would work. I can't answer for sure, because I haven't done it, but I think it might help. When we were experimenting with Austins (late '80's - early '90's) we believed the descriptions, and planted appropriately. (Say, 4-5-ft., for Graham Thomas -- etc.) When the purported 4-footers shot out 15-ft canes, we had no where to spread them out, laterally. We tried Self-Pegging. That worked with some of them, but it was a helluva lot of work for roses that mildewed, even when sprayed religiously. As a result, most of the Austins are long-gone. We have 6-8 of 'Golden Celebration,' 2 of 'Cymbaline,' and 3 of 'Prospero.' (And two own-root Dark Ladies.) I hate to think about the money we spent -- but I suppose it bought us lessons-learned. Jeri

On to the Qs and Queens. I'm starting to catch up. Those Quadra blooms are spectacular, Marina. I didn't know this rose could be so gorgeous. I love Queen of Hearts' unique coloring, another new one to me. And Queen of Sweden with the campanula makes me want to grow bellflowers again. Quietness is just luscious. I don't know how I'll find room for all these roses now on my wish list. More quintessential queenliness (sorry) with the photo of your lush Queen of Sweden, Kate. I'm impressed with your petal packed Queen of Hearts Fairy Tale, Tammy. Is this a different rose from Marina's Q of Hearts? Seil, more queenliness with your beauties. What a sweet rose Quietness is, so perfectly named. And finally, another Queen of Hearts with still another look, Beth. Must be several roses with this name. All are lovely. Thanks for posting all your queens and other lovelies.This alphabet continues to be so much fun to see--and certainly a learning experience for me about what roses are out there. Diane

I am very surprised by a few things here, first of all in my garden Heritage & Pat Austin are both very healthy & constantly in bloom, compared to a few other Austin's they are better by leaps and bounds (CPM, crocus, jude, I'm looking at you). Also, I always hear people talking about Crocus rose being so healthy for them, yet for me it is always the first rose (Austin or non austin) to get blackspot, and definitely the first to completely defoliate, usually by early June it is naked & looks horrid amongst my other happily blooming roses. I was hoping it would grow out of it, I really wanted to put it on the ground this year, it has been in a very large pot for 2 1/2 years, but it ALREADY has blackspot here in early april, so I think I may be removing it soon, I don't know if it would be any better in the ground, but I don't want to go though all the trouble of planting it if it is going to completely defoliate every year, I have too limited space to deal with that. Roseseek, that is a very interesting observation and it definitely makes sense, nature is often so surprisingly purposeful in its actions. Too bad some of the new, human made cultivars can't take a hint & hold off on the blackspot until late summer! Jessica

My Mom got the first DA rose, Golden Celebration, the year it came out, 92, I think and it is still here. Later I got Graham Thomas as a mislabel. About 5 years ago I thought I'd try something pink so I got Queen of Sweden and Jubilee Celebration. I'm not real impressed with any of them. GC can be gorgeous when it's in its spring flush and it does smell divine but so far the rest aren't anything to write home about. Also, they are all water hogs and spot magnets for me! Having been an exhibitor I guess I just prefer the HT form better myself. I have no trouble wintering any of them really but I'm a full zone warmer than you, Steven. Madison, Dr. Huey and Multiflora are the preferred root stocks for cold zones. Dr. Huey was almost exclusive for decades until the Canadians started using Multiflora with good results. Now almost all the roses from the Canadian mail order nurseries are on Multiflora. The only root stock I wouldn't recommend is Fortuniana. It is marvelous in warm climates and really pushes big, fast growth but it has a habit of rooting very shallow so it is very freeze tender. I know a few people who have managed to get it to survive but it takes a lot of effort and protection.