I'm a "red" person so I've grown many of the ones mentioned. Most of them are gone now because I didn't like their growth habits, or they didn't bloom enough, or they didn't like my climate or they just didn't do a thing for me. After all those my favorite has always been Chrysler Imperial and you can never go wrong with it. Such a nice mannerly growth habit, never too tall (around 5 feet), upward vase shaped bush with no awkward cane angles, better then average resistance to B.S. (but must be sprayed religiously for PM in spring), with the blooms in cool weather taking on the look of the plushest deep ruby red velvet. The blooms are produced in continous flushes until temperatures exceed 95. Her fragrance is legendary. There is only one rose that I've planted that matches Chrysler and improves upon it (in some ways) and that rose is Rouge Royale. Sturdier canes, longer vase life, better disease resistance (no PM or BS here but I spray. Not religiously mind you which is how I know about CI and PM). The minus on Rouge Royale is as patrick stated. The blooms don't last long on the bush, otherwise Rouge Royale would have replaced Chrysler as my favorite red rose.

Hi. I have purchased many older HT's. I generally get suckered in by fragrance descriptions, so most of what I have was purchased w/ fragrance in mind. I have lost some due to winter cold and others have been just very feeble and have just faded away. Aside from the Radiance clan, in Maryland's hot humid weather most get BS as often as modern roses - maybe more often. Here's what i have in no particular order ** are particular favorites for fragrance and repeat: Julia's Rose Governor Roselini ** nice sweet fragrance,amazing repeat Legendary - poor repeat, only 2 yrs old, though Heart's Desire - wonderful, very tender, died 2nd winter Radiance ** Red radiance ** Song of Paris The Doctor** Amazing color, fragrance, bloom size!!! very tender, died in winter, Must reorder! Enchantress Catalonia Clair de Lune - ** very nice fragrance and color! tender Gruss an Coberg - smells like beer to me... Papa Meilland - simply the best in every way September Morn ** Sutter's Gold - ** Ophelia Erotika ** Herzogin... My Choice Dame Edith Helen Invitation ** fragrant, very fast repeat Grace de Monaco ** a must have, super huge blooms, very fragrant, saw in Vintage Garden's garden and HAD to have. Cymbeline - not an old HT, but an old Austin that I fear will be lost - one of my favorites for color, form and fragrance, great over a short arch Sunday Lemonade ** Talisman - just faded away... lovely, though Catalonia - also faded away after a harsh winter That's all I can remember for now... : ) These are very new ones from last season's order, so I'm still evaluating: Betty Uprichard Lady Luck Mme Jules Bouche Mrs. Wakefield C.M. Tally Ho Lili Marlene - slight fragrance, but very BS resistant so far - really taking off for a new band. Mission Bells Hope this helps! feel free to email w/ any ?? Jennifer

The bloom opened. Pretty flower: loosely quartered (similar to Comte de Chambord), lightly fragrant, and clear lilac*. Good, strong stem. The color and fragance was disappointing but this is a first year own root plant. I'll give it another year or two for the plant to mature before making a final judgment. The plant itself is still tiny, but bigger than four other own roots in the same pot ghetto. Only the Bourbon DUEL DE DR. REYNAUD is bigger, and it is a climber. It is also one of the few babies that has foliage. I don't spray the roses in my pot ghetto because I want to be able to accurately access their black spot resistance before planting. You'd be surprised at how many of the babies never make it into the beds. * I define lilac as lavender with a noticeable pink undertone.

Good suggestions, Cori Ann, and bayarea girl. I actually thought about talking to the head of roses and perennials at Edwards. I know her, and she has special ordered roses for me before--and they turned out to be best sellers (that's a story for another time). She is the neatest woman, and an expert on peonies and clematis, which she grows for Edwards by the hundreds. I don't know where she gets the time (I know another person like that, Cori Ann). And trying Regan is a good idea if I can't get Anju to order Peach Swirl, bayarea. Regan starts taking orders in July. Thanks for the suggestion. Thank heavens I've had my nightly ice cream already, or I'd get on a flight to Cali for some of that peach swirl with vanilla and whipped cream. A huge bowl. Boy, does that sound good. Diane