The "in group" are well known exhibitors who receive new rose varieties 2-3-4 years in advance of their introduction. The "purpose" being to test them for how they exhibit and grow in various areas. To see what new varieties are coming up, subscribe to Horizon Roses. In it exhibitors review and critique the new varieties they're growing. After being shown at rose shows a demand is created for many of these new varieties. This select group shares bud wood, from promising new plants, with each other and keep it among themselve so they can dominate national rose shows. The "New Rose Introductions" listed in the Article are available now to anyone. All four are listed in Edmund's and Regan's 2010 catalogs.

Another book to consider is "R is for Rose" by Carolyn Parker. The author's concept is the same as the one jbeg has for her daughter's project -- ie, a rose for each letter of the alphabet. The book contains lovely photos accompanied by uninformative, treacly prose. Kind of a rose/self-help/coffee table book combo. (Tried to provide a link, but there's a bug in the system today.)

My experience with Apuldram from last year has not been good at all (very weak plants), so I can't really recommend getting any of their stock. In terms of which varieties to choose, do you like HT's or more old fashioned shaped roses (but equally newly bred) like Meilland's Romanticas (hard to get in the UK though) or David Austin's fabulous and heavily perfumed creations? Are disease resistance, repeat/floriferousness, growth pattern and perfume important to you? Andrea (formerly in the US, now in Cambridge, UK)

Great info on zone 5 climbers, Bella Rosa - I agree with your assessments. For me, Jasmina has been reasonably cane hardy but not a very robust bloomer in my zone 5. Rosarium Uetersen has been rock solid hardy and fairly trouble free, so perhaps by z5b is a touch warmer than jjpeace, since it wasn't hardy there. I've only overwintered Amadeus one year but so far so good. Other hardy Kordes climbers have been Antique 89 and Harlekin - not always the entire cane surviving, but pretty good. Illusion has had no problems with my zone 5 winters but isn't as robust as Quadra or the othe Canadian explorers that Bella Rosa mentioned. I've found Florentina to be very cane hardy in my zone 5, better even than The Prince's Trust that started out more robust but hasn't been as enthusiastic in later years as Florentina. I really love that rose and recommend it in cold zones - it's robust and has a quick rebloom with terrific deep red color. I planted Quicksilver last summer but it didn't get established, so I'm replacing it this year. It's good to know it might appreciate some TLC. FWIW, I've tried Hella twice in my zone 5 yard and it hasn't overwintered at all. Moonlight I've tried at least 3 times, and I keep being sure it will survive each time, but it doesn't. Golden Gate I only tried once in a non-ideal spot, but it didn't survive either. Rosanna has gotten through one winter but I don't think it was fully cane hardy. I have Seminole Fire on order from Chamblees and am looking forward to seeing how it does. Thanks for the extra information on the new releases Chris - we're so glad you chime in with feedback! Cynthia