Yay! One of mine have just started blooming too - we finally have had 5 days of sun in a row, after weeks and weeks when it never came out at all (mostly raining). I think all of the plants in my garden have been ready to bloom but holding back because it was so dark and pouring rain. Now it is warm, and sunny, and they are all exploding. I just walked around to look at them, and of my 4 bushes of Eugene de Beauharnais, only one has blooms on it yet. The other three (all from rooted cuttings of the oldest one) have buds all over, but no blooms yet. Of course, the parent and very old plant (we think it was planted before the 1960s) has 4 big blooms, and lots of buds almost out. Here is a pic of the prettiest bloom on it - taken just now:

Jackie

That's really pretty. Eugene strikes me as a faithful friend. It's surprisingly hardy here in zone 7a. Even in zone 7a temps can get down to 4 degrees. I have two in pots...one has been in the same pot maybe 20 years . Mine aren't blooming yet but both are looking good. It's a wonderful rose.

Yes, and I keep forgetting to mention that it is the most fragrant rose in my entire garden!

Jackie