I guess I should probably apologize for interrupting everyone's workday yesterday. I was so pleased with how my photos turned out that I just HAD to share. Your compliments make me blush. Robert's garden in full bloom is a sight that everyone should experience. It's what happens when an artistic eye meets the perfect setting ... and has the crazy idea to plant 600 roses. Some are huge (Veilchenblau is growing way up into a holly tree), some are practically newly-rooted twigs, and the rest are all stages of in between. It wasn't possible to get many full-bush shots on Sunday. The overcast weather dulled anything that wasn't photographed up close ... look at the difference between the far-away photos and the ones up close of Paul Transon and Gardenia, for example. Also, keep in mind that his roses are packed in as closely as he can get them. There are few places where a rose is allowed to stand on its own. The beauty of what Robert has done is his imagination to fill his property with a dizzying assortment of all types of roses. What I see has a spot to mulch and leave bare, he sees as an opportunity to add another rose. (Our garden styles are very different.) aprille. Here in Virginia, Gardenia is a lax, fast-growing climber. It happily scales trees and fences, and it isn't hard at all to train. The flowers are beautiful. They open buttery yellow, and fade to a warm white. Rebar is your friend. The view toward the barn, with Mme. Gregoire Staechlin on her rebar support, is one example of Robert's use of vertical space. For those of you who are concerned about the appearance of rusty rebar, take a second look at the one photo of Clair Matin. Maureen, Liz, Jim (and any others) we look forward to seeing you on Monday. What's blooming in Robert's garden right now should be just starting in mine by then. Connie

Thank you Judy, it's fun to do, just click on create slideshow and then on each x in the lower box of your pictures to add. I think that you have a max of 26 photos to put on each show. You select a background if any and make it easier by labeling the roses or flowers of each pic. Either in the slideshow by clicking on a photo or when you first upload, or actually anytime you're working on them. I find it's easier just to do it when I first upload them. If this isn't clear, just ask me some more:) I love oranges and blends of them Kathy and with each bloom Sequoia Ballet gets better. Last Sept I saw it at Sequoia with pink petals and dark pink edging. Thank you Carla, I love each of them. I've been fussing at them lately because of aphids, I'm out there at least once a day squishing or washing them off. The foliage will look better once I get a handle on the aphids and they aren't getting so much water. I put that particular pic of Tangerine Jewel on not because it was good, but I liked the orange splash of color:)

Very nice Brandon. Thank you for taking the time to put that together. You have such beautiful assortment of Austins.

Thank you, Brandon. I really think these roses are an expression of love and caring that we sorely need to see these days.