Oh wow Kate! These are all gorgeous. I've lost several the last few years but like you say it's given me free space to try other roses. I removed some huge shrubs in the middle of two of my beds to free up more space too. I really can't even remember which ones I've lost since I don't keep up with most of their names. It seems like my most sentimental ones are a few of my first ones bc they were the first I suppose. Your pics are truly beautiful so I can see why you'd miss them! Thanks for sharing, Judy

Kate, I can see why you chose these roses in the first place - they are all really lovely. It's such a pity when we loose roses for whatever reason. I haven't chucked any because of BS (yet) but have lost a couple due to extreme winters. Lost a couple a few years ago and as a result have become very meticulous about winter protection.

Sharlene

Kate, those are such lovely roses, I would be nostalgic too and I would also miss them. All your roses are so beautiful though, I'm sure that helps make up for it just a little!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been going thru over 10yrs of photos and compiling files with the best pics from each yr. OMG how many roses I've lost. Died. Gone. Sad. Many are irreplaceable. But what makes me even sadder is to see the difference between my old camera and my current one. The photos from the one I use now cannot even compare to the old one. Such a dissapointment to see that too. I think I need to save up for a new, better camera.

I've never regretted getting rid of a rose. I always think about the next glorious rose. :)

But, it is very nice to go back and see your lovely roses!!! I can see how you might miss them.

Happy Child, WS2000 and Cherry Parfait look wonderful! I wish Happy Child was fragrant - I'd buy it in a heartbeat (if I could find it) :)

Carol

Good news, rosecanadian. Happy Child is very fragrant and available in gallon or band form from Heirloom Roses.

If I had any space left, I'd order another one and be more patient with it.

Kate

I kinda know about what you mean about tossing a beautiful rose because of black spot. For me, Babs was that rose. Beautiful purple blooms with pin point centers and a great smell. It would be covered in black spot before the blooms had a chance to really look good. Then when the temps got to the upper 80's it completely shut down. Nothing. No new growth. Nothing. A hand full of green branch's that just sat there until the daytime temps stayed in the 70's. Then new growth that got black spot before a bloom would set. I must admit that when I saw the title of the post I was immediately rushed to 1968 in Nam in the middle of a stinking nasty rise paddy or on the banks of some stinking river or stream, getting dead American boys ready to go home after a nasty battle. One of a very few songs that stays with you always. Don't get me wrong. I'm very proud of my unit and the men that fought next to me. We didn't run and hide. We did what we were asked to do by our country. Be it right or wrong. (Co.C 3rd/47th, Mobile Riverine Force, 9th Div)

dublinway - get outta town!! It's fragrant?? Oh, I am so going to get that rose if I ever see one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Ken, I can't imagine in a million years what you went through. I'm so often thinking of soldiers and how awful it must be. Nam seems to be the worst ever. I've read Barry Broadfoot's book (interviews with people who've been in wars) and it's hard to imagine. Horror beyond horrors. I deeply respect people who have gone through what you've gone through. Especially Nam in a stinking, horrific jungle.

Ken, I did the same with Barbra Streisand too, even though the flowers were beautiful. :)

Carol

I wondered if anyone would remember the 1960s version by Peter, Paul, and Mary (wasn't it?). In my literary studies, I found that the carpe diem theme (where have all the flowers gone) is quite old--it was popular in 17th century poetry, for instance--a nostalgic lament for all the lost "beautiful things" in our lives. But for those like you, Ken, who went through the awfulness of Nam, that 1960s hit had to touch a deep spot in your hearts. Thank you for sharing that dark memory, and I wish only beautiful roses in your future.

Kate

Wel said, Kate!!

Carol

I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to say, and "thank you" doesn't fully say what I want to say, but it's the best I can come up with. Over the years I've seen MANY beautiful roses. By the way, Mint Julip is another rose that took a "walk" because it wouldn't grow. Three years and only 22" tall?? You got to be kidding me. Mid summer of it's 3rd year I reached down and pulled it out of the ground and replaced it with Royal Amethyst. This was in the early 90's and I still grow Royal Amethyst.

I'm glad to know that this thread stirred something in you. It did for me also. Such opposite feelings sometimes--regret, remembering lost dreams and expectations, the satisfaction with finding just the right rose to replace the first one, etc. --sometimes all those feelings all at once.

Applies to life as well as roses, doesn't it.

Kate

Ken - Warm feelings of support sent your way. :) Yeah, I would have ripped it out too.

Carol