Wanted to share a couple newer roses I’ve planted and my experience with them in my suburban zone 9a central Texas garden with alkaline black clay soil.

The first one i really want to talk about is Scentuous. WOW!! I am extremely impressed with this one. the plant itself is staying a very trim and tidy 18 inch wide by 2 foot tall, but it has been a bloom machine, after just planting it bare root this Feb 25’. It is already very scented as well, the fragrance for me did not take long to develop. I have really ooohed and aaahed over Princess Charlene de Monaco’s ruffles, but my PCdM does not want to bloom at all - only grow 10 feet tall. Who knew I could get all these pretty ruffles without all the fussing? Scentuous is brand new but already amazing me.

The next one is still fairly small, own root potted from Heirloom and it’s Lover’s Blush buy Clements. It came heavily recommended by a friend and it has put out a couple very beautiful blooms.

One of my absolute favorites is Fun in the Sun. I don’t see a lot of people talking about it but the health has been good, this year is the second year in my garden and i had a great second flush and each flush had a large number of blooms. I just love the colors.

I just planted Princess Alexendra of Kent and so far I’m really loving it!

Martha Stewart Rose put out a couple just absolutely amazing blooms

Loves Me Loves Me Not is new this spring. the color is very unique in my opinion. These are a little faded but they are almost like a hot coral color to my eye.

I was very excited about a light reverse so I planted several with lighter colors on the back of the petals this spring.

This first one is Lavender Crush.

this second is Coconut Ice from Palantine!

This last one is Cosmic Clouds! almost electric looking. Lavender crush fades to a greyish mauve color, but Cosmic Clouds fades to the most beautiful pink. I don’t know if I like it better when the bloom is fresh or when it fades!!

I have some more that I’m excited about that I’ll have to share later.

I’ll leave you with a question. I’m looking at the rose Silas Marner for next year and am curious about anyone’s experience with it. if you grow it, what do you think? I really want to focus on freely blooming very healthy and floriforous roses moving forward. any recommendations?

- Erin / Echo