Mcnastarana – I totally agree. Beth, I picked up two Roberto Capucci, St. Patrick, Belle Rouge, Bella di Todi and a Calm Composure which isn’t in HMF, but it’s similar to RC, but a paler pink with a moderate fragrance. Sherbet definitely caught my eye. I didn’t get one because I have quite a lot of mid-range pinks. You should order it! Diane, are you SURE you don’t have room for one more little o’rose bush? Lynn, something “a-rose?” Lol I thought that was cute. If there are specific roses you’re interested in, I’d call first and I also think they could ship to you since that’s a drive for sure unless you have other fun things to do in PHX. Moroseaz, interesting. That makes sense with the way the nursery is set up. I don’t know PHX land values, but it’s too bad it can’t remain sort of a plant co-op maybe even with the City’s help (parks and rec/some kind of grant) and become part co-op, part parking, part park. You must live or work around there to be interested in parking. :-) We had dinner at Hulu’s just up the street from Ludwig’s the night before and it was really good food. Thanks everyone for taking part in the "field trip."

Thanks for all the thoughts and comments! Its a bit of a dilemma, because of course I don't want to not get the roses I paid for, but I also don't want to be unfair to the Ludwig's people! My concern is that I'll have an experience like vaporvac: they won't die, but they'll just kind of be puling wretches that never amount to anything because of the trauma of the shipping. However, mine certainly have no broken canes, and hearing towandaaz's experience with Ludwig's plants, I'm very encouraged. I think what I'm going to do is this: I will email them the pictures and just explain my concern. And tell them that I'll check back in with them in 3 weeks or so - if the plants seem to be struggling by then, I'll ask for replacements. They seem like good, conscientious people who know their plants and wouldn't want a rose customer to not get what she paid for. In general, I have had very good experiences when I have had damaged shipments. One Rogue shipment, the box was really damaged by the PO and as a result, some of the roses were pretty mangled. They did recover - but Rogue kindly offered me a free plant on my next order. And Edmunds, this spring I ordered an own-root Jasmina from them (I already have a big beautiful one, but I love Jasmina!) It came with only one cane - the other 2 had been broken off during shipping. The remaining cane looked fine, but I decided I better notify them of the issue, just in case the plant didn't do well (I would want to have it on record that I had reported a problem). Well, the lady I spoke to said "Oh, we'll send you a new one". I said "But I think the plant is probably just fine, the remaining cane looks good" but she said "No, one cane is not acceptable!" And they sent me a new Jasmina! (Both of them ended up great, and I actually gave one of them to my best friend because much as I love Jasmina, I just don't have room for 3 of them). I thought that was really classy of them! Thanks again everyone!

Nanadoll, I seem to recollect now that PERFUMERY had a sweet citrus-y scent. Can't wait for another bloom to come along. NEW IMAGINE (JUST IMAGINE) is a really pretty stripey. I can't believe that huge candelabra that popped up there. I soooo need to get it in the ground! But this heat wave has me not doing much of anything out there. Apparently it was actually cooler than yesterday! Supposedly 107° yesterday and 104° today. Wasn't really a whole lot of difference in my mind... But 113???? No thanks!! This is bad enough. Oh checked FRAGONARD... Wow! Opened up a tad more and no frying!!! Gonna be a good rose!

Those blooms look huge for a new rose! I second Carol's question; is it fragrant? As long as it has at least a light, fresh smell, I would like it. The blooms are beautiful and I read it makes a good cut rose. I spoke to Wes by calling this number: He said they will start shipping when it cools down. They are experiencing triple digit heat and it isn't safe to ship now. I asked if it would cool down mid to end October? He said that should be a great time to start shipping the roses.