thanks so much... I have found that Austins are suitable for shadier spots here... so either would do.... right now all my Desdemonas have full sun, but LA is now west facing, so it's only getting sun from well past mid day... it's doing great.. I don't worry about shade at all with Austins... their vigour takes care of it in my experience.. ...typical example is 'The Poet's Wife'... worst location in my garden, hardly any sun, little in the morning then from about 3 pm... one of the best roses I have...

Thanks Carol. Bliss has a wonderful scent though so she's a def. keeper if she survives the winter. My tiny band from J&P which was sent by them last fall didn't survive the winter. The tiny band Kiss Me Kate did okay. I guess I'll see how hardy she is next spring. Meanwhile I'll enjoy her lovely blooms. Zaide is a 3 year old own root which has been moved 3 times but she takes it in stride. I have a second one in really poor soil that is also doing really well. The only issue with Larissa is her blooms are tiny, like a mini. But she's very healthy and winter hardy so another keeper! sharon

All wonderful, Sean! I must get Chartreuse de Parme! My garden seems very late this year because of all the blooming going on everywhere else. Being in the northern USA, I'm usually on par with the Canadians, climate wise. My patience is running thin. Altorama, I am in awe that your MAC can grow that big. My house sits at such an angle, that I don't have any true N,S,E or W sides. If I plant her on the most easterly side, she will be keeping company with the generator, chicken feed bins, etc. Maybe it's time to beautify that area. Sheila, I REALLY like your Gen. Schablikine. A lot!

This is such a delicate fragrant rose. I wish I could figure out how to get rid of the thrips. I even sprayed mine with some conserve which is supposed to be great and nothing. It isn’t a great picture, but it looked very rough in person so I gave up and cut it down. I would like to add all my garden has thrips, but some roses just handle it well. Olivia Austin is very light pink but the damage doesn’t show much.