I've seen wonderful FLOWERS of it, but never a decent plant....anywhere, which is why it has never followed me home. I love the blooms and scent, but have never been able to get past the plant they are carried by. I agree with your predisposition to WANT to love it, being a Harkness rose. Perhaps they saw something in it I never have? Kim

Yes, I have seen a good one. In fact, it was gorgeous. It was in a huge pot in a local nursery, covered with leaves and flowers. This was about two years ago and I have no idea what its ultimate destiny was, but it was already a mature, large plant in that pot, and of course I have no idea how they achieved that. Perhaps living in San Diego County was the secret to its success? Who knows?

Ingrid

I agree with Kim. (And mine, in the end, died.)

Jeri

Mine was as miserable a specimen as I have seen. One rose I did not regret when it died.

In the RBG garden in Burlington Ontario, IIRC there was a good plant growing under some very large pine (?) trees. I only saw it in bloom there one spring (their spring which was probably June) and the blooms were lovely. Other times we visited that garden either it wasn't there or I just didn't notice it.

Has anyone else seen the mini Grace Seward? A friend in NC in a zone 5-6 situation grew it against a grey out building and it had the look that I had hoped to see with JDP.

I wanted this one too--beautiful pictures, beautiful name--but I was lucky enough to see it in the flesh (?) before I wasted the money/time/space.

Camp,

A friend in Texas had an absolutely gorgeous one, for about four years. I saw it at its peak performance, over 4'x5', thick, healthy, absolutely covered in bloom the Spring of 2009. Stunning (and I hate that word). I was back to visit this year, and it was GONE. In three years it had grown backward and failed to sprout this year. Of course they've had horrible drought, and record heat; but he irrigates and out of 100 roses, this and two others are all he's lost. It's a prima donna, evidently.

John

Oh my goodness Rochella!! I planted a small one last year and it is not a lusty specimen to say the least. I hope I can get it to thrive like yours! Hope springs eternal :)

My skanky, runty rose is Pope John Paul II. This is its last year.

Rochella - that fabulous picture made me fall in love with this rose...I need it!! lol :) :) Since it would be as runty as my PJPII...I'm glad I won't be able to find it here.

This is, without a doubt, THE funniest rose review I have ever read. I stumble upon it every year or so on Houzz and crack up every time i read it. Kudos to whomever wrote it, hilarious!

Yes, it seems this pathetic thing is not lusty, but skanky, runty, and miserable, failing to sprout. What a memorial to a world class cellist. Diane

A few weeks ago, I ran across some CDs of Jacqueline du Pre at a garage sale. I almost bought them, just because. It is impossible to explain to non-rose people why this is notable, or even memorable, and even harder to explain my giggles.

We have currently moved on to Dmitri Hvorostovsky, a white rose from Brad Jalbert. So far, I'm reasonably impressed.

But Heirloom says it’s ’Easy to grow!’ 🤔😄

Still put myself in to be notified when its available because gosh the pictures are beautiful 😁

Heather RR, i have had it since last summer, i love it, it is still small and yes the bush itself is lanky and wonky and it gets powdery mildew but it's fragrance is nice and i love the simplicity of it. I think it is going to be my new pruning experiment, maybe i will make a Bonasi tree out of it!!!

Mad Gallica - because I saw Dmitri Hvorostovsky on Palatine's website last year, I had been watching (incessantly) his youtube videos...what a voice!!! I don't really love his voice in operas...but singing in concerts, his voice is unsurpassed IMO. He died too young.

Opine - oh, my goodness!!! That bloom is to die for!! It may be the most beautiful rose bloom I've ever seen!! I can see why you wanted it.

Anyone know who wrote this original review, are they still around? Lurking maybe? Anyway, it is so funny i just was curious.

@opineonline The OP was Campanula, a gardener from the UK (real name Suzie). It's been a while, but I think she probably most recently posted in the Perennial forum. I haven't seen her post ANYwhere for a good while. She is missed.

@fig_insanity Z7b E TN Thank you!! I hope she comes back, this gives me such a chuckle.

@opineonline I inquired, and her new user name is @rosaprimula UK (Cambridge) Z8/9, and she does still post on the perennial forum. Good news!

@fig_insanity Z7b E TN Well let her know her review has made me laugh for years....thanks for checking, i have often wondered who wrote it, i have read it many times and crack up....

Hopefully, since I tagged her, she will see this post and you can thank her yourself ;)