No one?

I know, right? :) Thanks for bumping this, Sheila. I wonder if Larger Than Life died on a lot of people?

I think this is her in a bouquet from that first year:

Beautiful bouquet, Suzanne. I've been admiring Larger than Life on J&P. They are selling all or most all of their roses for $25-30 and no shipping, even if you order only one. It's very tempting. Diane

Thank you, Diane. Yes, that J&P sale is tempting! I do find myself wondering why all these roses are marked down. Did Weeks grow too many bushes this year? (I assume J&P is still sourcing their stock from Weeks.)

I bought Larger Than Life last year and I'm trying to recall if it bloomed. I remember that LtL was better than La Di Da that was barely a hint of lavender on a nondescript bloom. It didn't stand out as being huge, but that was for a first year plant.

Cynthia

Suzanne, I think all the competition from the "boutique" online rose sellers is really killing the old line sellers. That's just a theory, but I almost expected it, and sure enough that's what it looks like. Edmund's has a 20% off sale going on everything. Another thing is that several new yellow roses have been released in the last few years, including two Bedard yellow roses both bred by Bedard and both using a Carruth rose in their parentage. I think Larger Than Life (selling on J&P) looks like the twin almost of Quest for Zest. Then there is J&P's re-release of Golden Yellow Zest, a descendant of Golden Celebration. Call me confused. Diane

Oops, I mean Golden Zest. I just looked and it's sold out. Diane

Thanks, Cynthia. Did your Larger Than Life make it through the winter?

Diane, that is super interesting. I wouldn’t have thought the boutique sellers were having that much of an impact, but clearly I’m old and out of touch. Actually it kinda makes me want to head over to J&P and Edmunds and stock up….

Diane, you may have a few years on me in earth time, but nobody is more out of touch than I am. I’ve spent the last four years buried in my job and ignoring my garden.

Now I’m 62 and officially retired, and to my amazement I find that I love telling people that. Leaning into my age! Yes, my back hurts all the time and I walk funny and no, I can’t dig holes anymore. Yes, young man, it would be lovely if you loaded all those bags of mulch for me. I’m old!

Suzanne - yes, Larger Than Life made it through the winter fine with some surviving cane. Now that we're zone 6a AND now that I've made sure the roses are adequately hydrated throughout the growing season (including before planting) I've lost almost none of my roses over the winter. Huge change over the 20-30% losses most years.

Cynthia

I’ve got Larger Than Life coming, and I’m very excited for it. I also have Golden Zest, it’ll be interesting how the two compare.

My Larger Than Life just arrived from J&P! Huge big canes and roots. Same with Bliss Parfuma and Sweet Mademoiselle, also in the box. I’m very happy to see that J&P is sending quality stock. Fast shipping, too. That rose sale is sounding better and better…

Because I’m a crazy rose addict, I also picked up on impulse a Bliss Parfuma at Lowes yesterday, even though I had this bareroot coming from J&P. It was a Bloomables container, with two plants in the pot. Don’t recall seeing that before. I wonder if these are first year roses packed two to a container to make a more substantial planting.

Cynthia, I’m glad your LTL survived. I don’t really know what got mine. They just faded away.

Shine, the blooms on LTL are large and lovely. In your magical California climate maybe the plant will have a habit to match!