My first rose was Maggie (I have a daughter whose name is Maggie). What rose do you have more than 3 of?
molly

I'll answer both of the above questions, since they were probably submitted simultaneously.

1st favorite: Any fragrant hybrid tea/floribunda which is great for cutting/especially Romanticas (because I love to cut bouquets!)

2nd favorite: Any great shrub rose that is unusual and full
(although I don't care for rugosas or Bucks)

We have 4 Veteran Honors...3 grafted & 1 New Generation own root

QUESTION:
Does anyone here dream at night of rose (and other flower) gardens...and are your dreams in color? (I do, often!)

:0) Phyl

I don't recall dreaming of roses as an adult, but when I was a child I had a dream that I was surrounded by white roses and I was walking towards a bright light. For years I thought it predicted my imminent death.

Question - How do you balance your need to collect/try out new roses with your need for a well designed cohesive garden?

I have a couple of beds where many of my bright modern colors go. I think all the bright colors look good together. For continuity I have some perennials that seem to tie it together.

Do a lot of your clothes get torn working in your garden or do have special torn up shirts you keep wearing?

OMG, I have to answer that one. I'm the disgrace of the neighborhood in my gardening clothes. They're all terrible, but the worst are my "backyard garden clothes", which was fine, since all my roses were in the back. But this year I planted a couple in front. When I just have to go out front and spray, I'll sometimes sneak out the long way where I have coverage behind shrubs, do a fast spray, and sprint for the back.

My neighbor gardens in makeup, nice hair, and earrings. I'm such a slob.

What rose did you spade only to wish you had it back?

I had two Elle's that were both sun-challenged - I dug one and potted it up and dumped the other. I wish I hadn't pitched her. The other, in a much better spot, is looking good.

Who is your thorniest rose and what do you do to protect yourself from her clutches?

Gean

Knockouts. I removed them.

What rose do you currently have that will be removed to make room for another rose you absolutely have to have?

Sandy

Uncle Joe and Red Eden (among others) for those that are coming - too many to list.

Has it ever occurred to you after placing an order that you lost your mind?

LOL yes, every time! I never have room for the ones I've ordered, and sit around all winter, juggling plants on paper, trying to fit them in! (Not to mention the 'surprise' in the spring when the bills come in)
What rose has lived the longest in your garden, and always bounces back, no matter what?
Judith

Fourth of July is my longest lived rose and it is amazingly vigorous. I am constantly whacking it and shaping it. It currently is over 12 ft tall. Love it though.

What rose do people rave about, but you think is absolutely horrible and can't understand why these people like it so much? (example for me, Joseph's Coat or Climbing Westerland) -- CJ

Blue Parfum, a washy mauve HT from Tantau. I have already given it to the neighbours that raved the most.

What rose has been longest in your pot ghetto, that is, a rose you meant to plant eventually but haven't got round to plant permanently?

Sir Thomas Lipton. It was in a one gallon pot, languishing while I was in nursing school. Amazed it even survived. I finally planted it, and it is huge, grateful to finally escape from the pot. It is not one of my favorite roses, but I am attached to it because of its tenacity [the trait I utilized most getting through nursing school!]

My question: For those of you who grow Hot Cocoa, what roses do you plant near it that look good with its unusual color?

Distant Drums, Freckles, and the apricot sport of Aloha. Tan & apricot don't clash too badly with Hot Cocoa.

What is your favorite daylily and rose combination?

Cheers,
Michelle

What was the first rose I planted? Tropicana.

If you were going to use one rose to line a walkway as a solid planting, which one would you use, and why?

Well that's a hard one to answer. First I'd check Pappu's website and then debate for months on which of those gorgeous hedges I'd love the most. But without that advice I'd probaly go with Julia Child or Our Lady of Guadalupe for a solid planting along the sidewalk since they both bloom so much.
If you could only have one class of rose, no exceptions, which class would it be and why?
Nancy

What is your favorite daylily and rose combination?
A good question that got missed...

Daylily 'Elizabeth Salter' and rose 'Royal Amethyst'. Pure pale melon and rich lavender.

Here is Nancy's question again, another good one, so it doesn't get missed either:

If you could only have one class of rose, no exceptions, which class would it be and why?

I would have to say Hybrid Teas. I know, I know, they are divas, take way too much time and attention and need spraying etc. But I just love those big blooms and long stems.

Next Question: Who or what inspired you the most to grow roses?

A wonderful friend cut beautiful bouquets for me all summer and then slyly presented me with 3 gorgeous rosebushes of my own for my birthday the following spring. I have been her willing accomplice ever since.

What does your partner think of your rosy obsession?

Simple: I am insane and he threatens me that he will refuse ti dig new holes or replant older roses into a new, better spot. Than he helps me although he makes a few comments again and again regarding me being a "trockist gardener"

What can prompt you to discare a rose? Non- performance, color, you do not like the shape, too big, too small or you just find it boring?

I'll answer that one, ceterum! I just gave away several due to the fact that their blooms would either open too fast and almost fall apart immediately (Anvil Sparks) or attract the JBs incessantly (Lagerfeld) or thrips(Lagerfeld). I also HATE quilling, which Love does all the time....so, I'm tempted to give that one away as well. I love roses best for cutting. Maybe there's a nicer red/white reverse out there, that doesn't quill!?

Question:
Which would you rather receive....a huge bouquet of roses from a fancy florist, or your choice of rose bush(es) to plant (of same price?) Personally, I've warned my husband to NEVER spend $ on a florist, because I want the bush instead.
:0) Phyl

I'm with you!! My husband loves that he never gets in trouble for not remembering to buy flowers for any occasion or just for the romance of it. I get lots of romance out of buying rose bushes and having him cheerfully dig holes for me!

Question:
What rose thing initially made you squeamish, which now you go, whatever. For me it's squishing aphids with my fingers.

When I first grew roses in CA, I just could not bear to prune them...they were all so healthy and full...But once I did it and realized it was what they needed to stay healthy etc....after the first time, and when they grew back after that I could just snip those babies like crazy....

My question (Being a real novice and only dreaming of all the roses that you all describe and grow) how did you learn about all these different varities of roses....and where do you find them all? Do you have to buy from catalogs? I"ve never seen any real variety anywhere I've looked for them.

Ill bite on that one!!!

Gardenweb. I purchased a rose at HD because the coloring was so beautiful and because I had been told by the cottage forum that a true cottage garden has roses. Once I got it home...I came here to learn. THIS site has the most variety in the area of roses. I can read about roses and how they perform in MY climate. When it comes time to order one, I can just ask here. The folks here can not only direct me to a good site for purchase, but can also tell me if one source might be better than another. I couldn't grow roses, and likely wouldn't have grown roses if it werent for this site!

My question: What rose would you use to convert someone who gardens, but won't grow roses because they think they are too difficult and fussy.

in the last 4-5 years all my roses were mail-ordered. I like to browse certain catalogs but I read the feedback on roses on the rose forum, check them on HMF and nurseries' websites that contain real information instead of providing rose porn and superlatives as a number of catalogs are known for.

Which are your favorite colors for roses and is there a color you abhor?

I'll do both questions:

I converted my mother, who added two roses to her garden this past spring, with Double Delight, Chicago Peace, and a bottle of Bayer spray. (The spray was to overcome her irrational fear of rose care.) I told her to spray them every two weeks, and to enjoy the blooms. At the end of the season, the roses thrived and my mom loved having blooms in the house.

Regarding color . . . I can't get excited about most orange roses. (except 'Sonia', but she's not really orange. She was in my wedding bouquet many years ago, and she'll always have a place in the garden.) It's not to the 'abhor' point, but I just find that I'm not drawn to them. This could change, because I used to feel this way about yellow roses.

Along the lines of my relationship with 'Sonia', do you have a rose that holds a special place and/or reminds you of something dear?

Blessings,
Connie

Oh yes, Black magic! It was the only flower I used in my wedding and I had about 75 dozen of them. I haven't planted one yet because I have a very limited space for roses and I only wanted ones that had an intense fragrance. I think I am going to make an exception for black magic this spring!

Do you feel guilty shovel pruning your roses? I have some that I just don't like (memorial day, chicago peace, and kordes perfecta) but they are doing very well and I want to replace them with roses that smell better. I just hate the thought of digging up a perfectly healthy bush!

No, I usually don't feel guilty about shovel pruning a rose. It's almost a relief once it's over. And the prospects of replacing it with something I'll really enjoy is kind of exciting.

My question:
"What rose were you the most reluctant to buy, yet once you planted it in your garden you unexpectedly fell head-over-heals for it?"

[For me it was Reine des Violettes, but what about you?]

Randy

Oh, it was that sweet-talking little Angel Face that teased me into taking her home! Such a perfume...but whatta case of blackspot she had at the time. I now have great admiration for her--not only survived, but popped a basal break in the midst of the throes of bs!

Now for the fun question:
Do you talk to your roses?
If so--what do you say?

Susan...who finds that sweet words grow bigger roses ;)

Yes, all the time. I tell them how pretty they are, how good they smell, ask them how they're doing, tell them they need to straighten up, threaten them with "The Shovel" basically hold whole conversations with them.

If you could name a rose what name would you choose, why and would the color make a difference?

"Kiss Kaitlyn" for my granddaughter. I don't think color would matter, but somehow pastel (especially pink) seems most appropriate.

Got to try the hybridizing thing one day. Maybe when I retire.

How do you feel about striped roses? I like them a lot although I sometimes have difficulty deciding where they belong in the garden. There are several new striped introductions this year.

I love striped roses! When 4th of July first came out, I planted it under my daughter's bedroom window because she liked wild colors, and I was hoping it would get her interested in flowers. I'm always looking for ways to get kids to appreciate plants! I bought a few new intros this fall to cover arbors--CandyLand and something else--because I think they look better out of the flower beds. I think Soaring Spirits looks good with dark purple clematis wound through it. I would like to see a wildly striped climber with no thorns.
My question: do you have a "family" rose? One that several people in your family grow? My older kin all have Blaze, but my daughters planted Tropicana when they left home, because when they were growing up we moved 4 times and put Tropicana in first each time.

Autumn Damask. I give one to everybody. So far at least 5 houses have one and about 3 others that got sold. Plus I give them to neighbors and sell them at garage sales. Nothing smells as good as autumn damask! If they won't take one, I try to get them to take La Reine which smells almost as good and "looks more respectable" as my auntie says.

What is the most roses you ever planted in one day?

I know there must be people that have planted more than this, but I planted 10 in one day. I remember it well. I was sick with a fever and made my DH dig the holes, and then went out and added ammendments and planted the bareroots. I actually felt better the next day.

Question: What is your favorite "odd colored" rose? Mine's Hot Cocoa.
Kathy

I only have one odd-colored rose - Oranges N' Lemons. I've had it for two summers, and I overwinter it in the garage. It's not a favorite of mine, since I only get about 4 flowers per summer. It's probably just too young yet???

Question: What rose do you just HAVE TO touch?

Evelyn. I wish her blooms were big enough to hug! Sigh...I wish I could go outside and hold one up to my face...inhale...moan.

Question: what is your favorite purple rose?

Wild Blue Yonder....even though it's puple only in Spring and Fall and the blooms open too fast.

What is the best thornless rose?

I don't know about best, but the only one I grow is
Madame Alfred Carriere and I enjoy it.

To Kathy in Oregon: If your husband dug 10 holes then I'd
say *he* planted 10 roses that day. I say this as someone
who digs my own holes. My girlfriend has "her" veggie
garden but I do all the furrowing and such. You ladies are
funny! :)

Question: Which rose makes the longest lasting cut flower?

For us, Veteran's Honor lasts almost forever. We have four bushes because we love it so much. I am sure there are many others, but VH is the first to come to mind!

Question:
What is your FAVORITE part of rose-growing (assuming you do the hard work yourself?) What is your LEAST favorite chore?

:0) Phyl

You are right Dimitri, I should have said WE planted 10 roses that day. But mostly I do the digging myself. I was just so sick that day......well at least that's my excuse ;-)

And I also agree that Veteran's Honor last forever in a vase. I found a lone bud on my plant last weekend, and brought it into the house to grace the table at my party. It is just now opening and looks fabulous. I recut it under warm water every couple of days to keep it going. The two buds of Fragrant Plum that I cut the same day are long gone.

To answer the question: My favorite part of rose growing (other than smelling the roses) is pruning. There is something about starting over every spring and seeing all the growth that the plants put on last season that I really like. Yeah, it's a pain (literally sometimes), but I like it. My least favorite part is spraying. I don't mind the spraying so much, but I always wear a respirator etc. and I hate putting on all that gear. I always end up all sweaty and breathless.

Question: What rose garden have you visited that was the most beautiful-private or public?

Kathy

The most beautiful rose garden I have visited is Filoli in Woodside, CA. Meticulously cared for roses in an exquisite California setting. I think the stellar level of maintenance was part of the beauty. (I haven't had the privilege of visiting Sissinghurst or Mottisfont Abbey or Bagatelle--yet).

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The most amazing garden, though, was the San Jose Heritage Rose garden, which is like the Louvre of roses--they have so many in one place, every rose you have ever heard of and many you haven't, it's a misset jewel, a oddly placed treasure, set in this not-great neighborhood under the flight path of the San Jose airport.

If there was one flaw or problem you could wave a magic wand to fix across the board, in the entire Rose genus, what would it be?

Roses that don't smell like roses..it's just SUCH a disappointment when leaning down, taking a deep breath.....and...nothing. I would wave that magic wand across all roses and restore them to their natural state of fragrance.

I was tempted to say make 'em disease-free, but that's just too obvious ;>

And for my question: I grow my roses in containers, and would like to add a companion plant to the container. This companion need not "do" anything, like have bug or disease repelling properties (but wouldn't hurt!) It can just look pretty...something that won't clash in growing habit or compete for habitat.

What have others have had success with?

Kathy's reply about being all sweaty and breathless hardly
seems suitable for a PG board. :)

It may be trite, but I grow alyssum in my containers. It
seeds easily, has shallow roots, and is colorful. It also
helps hold moisture in better than plain dirt does, although
not as well as a true mulch. I expect other annuals might
do as well. I've been meaning to try lobelia.

Question: What is your LEAST favorite rose among those you
have actually grown? Why?

Out of Yesteryear. I simply found it to be irritating. It had octopus-like thorny growth with small underwhelming roses that often didn't open. It was a relief to pull it out.

What rose would you plant to honor someone you love?

WWII Memorial Rose for my Dad which is included in my "Patriot Place" themed rosebed: Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Veteran's Honor, Let Freedom Ring, etc.

Merry Christmas, everyone. For those in the Southern climes: Which rose surprised you by blooming today?

Sunnnyrose

First of all, Happy Holidays all.

I don't know which one actually opened today but these are roses that are blooming in my garden.

Eglentyen:

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Jubilee Celebration:
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Ab Darby:
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Lavender Simplicity:
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Glamis Castle: (Sorry picture did not come out well)
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Unknown Mini:
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Unknown Mini:
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How many rose have you killed so far?

Probably about 25 roses!!! I really try to push the cold zones and sometimes it doesn't go well for the poor roses! Eeep! On the other hand, I've about 50 roses that do make it through our zone 3. I've gained access to roses that I never would have tried. So, for me, it was worth the money wasted.

Question:
Do you usually pick the same rose over and over as the rose of choice to give blooms away? For me it's Golden Celebration and Elizabeth Taylor

Carol

Hi Carol, I just ordered Golden Celebration so I doubt I will be giving the blooms away much. I mostly have knockouts but I am planning on adding alot other kind of roses this spring. I usually give away blooms of the knockouts but absolutely love the Elsie Mae and one rose I have that looks alot like Graham Thomas.
Question--- What is the best short climbing rose for the south???

>>>Do you talk to your roses?
If so--what do you say?

Susan...who finds that sweet words grow bigger roses ;)I know I am out of turn here, but I just have to answer this one. Thank you, Susan. Been to busy to read much.

I was moving past my biggest climber the other day when it reached out and clutched me.

As I disentangled I heard myself blurt out to it, "Yes, I love you, too!"

ThonotoRose

Thank you, ThonotoRose--ROFL!

Yes...sometimes Love is like that!
Snatches ya right up and gives ya a big hug when ya least expect it...

Susan

Ok, here's one:
Do you ever spend money on roses, instead of money on fixing up the inside of your house (which could really use some help?!)
:0) Phyl