I have Neptune. Can't vouch for disease, as we really don't get any here. But mine smelled divine and had gorgeous roses. I really like this rose!!

Carol

I'd get Neptune any day before Sweetness. I do grow them both, but Sweetness is in a pot and Neptune has a place of honor in the ground. So that may be why it does better for me.

Kathy

Does Neptune bloom a lot for you, Kathy?

Jerome, I grow both roses, but my Sweetness is probably three years old and planted in the ground last year whereas my Neptune came to me as a band from Heirloom roses last autumn and is still growing only in a two gallon pot. What is the most striking thing about Sweetness is that the rose is completely healthy for me. The blooms are very fragrant, but have a "slightly informal" Hybrid Tea style look and the rose petals are thinner than Neptunes. Repeat is good. Neptune on the other hand had some problems with blackspot, but the rose petals have more substance than Sweetness and the bloom form is more elegant, classical Hybrid Tea style. The bloom holds up well and keeps its almost perfect exhibition form.

I actually like both roses a lot so far and wouldn't part with either one. I think they are different enough from each other to be worth growing both in the same garden!

If you want to read more about my Sweetness experience and see photos of the rose, please go to my blog. I put up a post about Sweetness there on March, 27th.

Hope this helps!

Christina

Here is a link that might be useful: Organic Garden Dreams

I have both, and both are in the ground. SWEETNESS was a test rose, and not the best performer, but it's an "ok" rose. Doesn't repeat as well as NEPTUNE. The blooms don't last quite as long either. I'd definitely say NEPTUNE is a better rose. Color is different too. SWEETNESS is a more mauve (pinky-lavender), and NEPTUNE is an interesting sort of dusty blue-lavender with a ruby tinge on the underside. Unfortunately, I never seem to remember to check scents on most of my roses, so I can't really compare. Oh, and as far as plant size, NEPTUNE is a bit shorter, like 3-3.5ft and SWEETNESS can get up around 5ft if I don't get it deadheaded right away.

SWEETNESS
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NEPTUNE
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As you can see, NEPTUNE does fade a bit, but that bloom is probably well over a week old. And obviously the thrips like NEPTUNE a bit more than SWEETNESS. (I don't spray)

i have had neptune for three years now and she is in a pot.
each year she gets more shoots and is quite vigorous.
i do not spray for anything and the blooms are massive and ultra fragrant- easily tops in my humble garden.
great foliage and great upright habit

Neptune blooms about average for a hybrid tea, I would say, Jerome. So does Sweetness -- I don't see a difference between them in terms of bloomiferousness.

Kathy

They are both so beautiful. I'm 50 now...and I remember when I was a little boy in the early mid-60s, Sterling Silver was the HT everyone got...and planted (in Illinois) as an annual! It amazes me the number of healthy and vigorous lavender roses that have come out in the last 30 years. I am glad you tell me Sweetness is taller, because that's what I need where it's planted. I think I'll get Neptune too. Saw it at the nursery the other day and the fragrance is to die for. Also, they have a grouping of it planted in a rose garden at a local parish, and it grows really well out here.