Rick, your Allux Symphony is gorgeous. I inherited a plant of Symphony when we moved in here in 1997, and it did fine until it got smothered by Sally Holmes a couple of years ago. Totally my fault. Edit to add: Allux Symphony and Symphony are the same rose: AUSlett

thank you for the info. about older Austins, I appreciate all info. that you put in HMF.

What a gem, it looks kind of like Marechal Niel , a rose I have always wished to have but my zone is too cold. Next year I hope to buy my first yellow rose , they add so much light and beauty to a garden.

Great pictures Rick! I too had received Allux Symphony from John when he moved from California earlier this year. It’s doing very well so far in a large pot until I move it to my new property later this year and can plant it in the ground.

Hi Brian, That is a very lovely specimen of a very rare plant. I haven't heard from John since he called me earlier this spring and told me they were moving to be closer to their children. I was wondering what would become of all of the roses in his garden. He suggested I might drive down from Canada and dig some up. I think that was tongue in cheek, or perhaps just wishful thinking. I hope he has managed to take at least a few of his favourites to his new home to enjoy on a smaller scale.

I feel that there was a bit of serendipity involved in my meeting John through this forum and entering into a long and fruitful collaboration with him to save and share rare and garden worthy rose varieties. It all began with a request for cuttings from a plant of Cressida in my garden at least 15 years ago, and then became a friendship and something much larger.

Life goes on, things change and gardens come and go. John has shared a lot of plants with a lot of other passionate rose folk over the years, so his legacy collection is still growing in many gardens in many places. We now have many of his rare gifts up here in Canada in both a Public Garden and growing in Jason's display garden at Fraser Valley Rose Farm. That seems a fitting tribute to a good friend and passionate rosarian.

Cheers, Rick

That breaks my heart that John ditched so much of his great collection. I sent him quite a few rare roses (we were trading partners for ~3 years). He told me that he was going to move to TX and downsize. @ocbrian1, I'm glad you got a lot of them.

My goodness...Allux Symphony is such a gorgeous rose...I've never heard of it before. :)

Hi Again Brian, I think I have set my account so you can message me if you like. You can give it a try if you like.

I find that story about John pretty heartbreaking. I probably would talk the family into moving closer to me rather than move. I hope he can get back into his roses.

Thanks Rick. I sent you a message a while ago. Let me know if it went through. I hate the messaging system on Houzz since it’s not always user friendly.