Bliss is one of mine to go. Like you say, it grows everywhere, taking over the bed . The blooms are alright but nothing that makes me swoon. It takes a ton of prunning and so the decision to remove although not easy because it is very healthy ,was made.

Ohh Moses sorry to hear Bliss won’t be staying in your garden. She definitely does not have the high centered blooms you prefer, but I didn’t realize it grew all over the place. I have 5 on their first year in the ground after spending a year in pots. They are very small compared to any other Kordes so I thought they would be nice rounded shrubs. Their blooms shape isn’t my favorite but they are very healthy. If I don’t love them after 2026 I may replace them with summer romance which I dearly miss.

I received 2 OR BR last year. You may have alerted me about HD carrying them online, Moses. I gave 1 away. The one remaining has 3 tiny spindly canes, more like twigs. Rabbits. And non-prime location. It’s barely alive. Scant foliage. Yet its (foliage and cane) mass to bud production ratio is matched only by Cream Veranda, of about 45 roses here. The flowers are long lasting; the form is immaterial.

Thanks for the review. I’d been debating whether to try Bliss or not. I guess it will be “not”.

I gguess I'm not very picky growing roses under tough BS and heavy rain conditions, but Bliss performs really well for me in both quantity of blooms and frequency. I really like it and do find it fragrant, but not outstandingly so. Its growth habit is oon par for a Kordes and is more controled compared to the crazy monster Summer Romance. I've considered getting another, but no more sun spots. I haven't tried to prune it too much.

Vapor how big is your summer romance?

mine wasn’t huge as kordes go around here and I miss it.

Summer romance at my old garden

@dianela7analabama, I actually have two Summer Romance, one of which is a well controlled 4' bush while the other could easily top 7'. I think the former has some root competition while the latter, although only 12' away grows deep. I've noticed the same behaviour with New Dawn and others that grow in the same beds. I had thought they would top out at @ 3' so they were a surprise. I haven't found anything comparable in health, fragrance, colour or flower power in a smaller size so I'm keeping both. I'd keep them anyway, but move them to a better place visually as they completely obscure the balustrades. I'd definitely replace them if I lost them. One planted at my friend's house is also aroung 3-4' so who can explain it! LOL!!!

Just yesterday, there was one particular bloom on one of my Bliss bushes that faced me at the perfect angle for viewing. It was perfection personified, stunningly beautiful.

"Why are you doing this to me, Bliss! You know that I have determined that your days are numbered in the rose bed, don't you?" I reminded it and myself. "You're a sloppy bush, a bit stingy of blooms, and prone to going flat when fully open. You know full well I don't like this trait and have called you up on it publicly. Now what am I to do?"

I think a reprieve is in order. This will give me time to reconsider and rethink....right now my hunch is that my Blisses are going to be around much longer than originally planned. Maybe I'm mellowing toward a less impulsive/rigidly reactionary manner as I continue down old age's path.

Moses.

Dianela - Your Bliss looks amazing!! I can see why you miss your Summer Romance bush. That's Insane!! SWOOON!!

Moses - lol :) You'll figure it out.

Mine is blooming today. I have her in a large pot and her blooms seem to be getting better heading into her second year. Zone 8B, VA

Rosie Posie - I like your name :) Your Bliss has great looking leaves and beautiful flowers. :) :)

My Blisses have beautiful, picture perfect, large leaves, spotless from any disease. That's for sure!

Moses.

Glad your Bliss gave you some beautiful blooms Moses. In our areas it is so difficult to find blackspot free roses that I hate to remove any.

Same here, Dianela. I have put the brakes on removing my Blisses. I plan to be very careful when spring pruning them in 2026, and make the cut so that the remaining apical bud after the pruning cut grows toward the center of the bush. Hopefully this will tighten up the bushes' new growths.

Moses.

Interesting, but still not as big a roller coaster ride as the saga of Madame Anisette.

A little queasiness, though, as I rely on Moses for rose recommendations (when I have the room).

I'm glad you're giving Bliss a reprieve, Moses. I love mine and it gets more frequent blooms and a more stable shape as it gets a little older. It's only an adolescent now, with knobby knees and bursts of defiant attitude, but give it another year or two to mature and I think you'll get more of those heart-stopping blooms. My prediction is that it will be worth the wait.

Cynthia

Thank you, Cynthia, will do. I have always had a tendency to be impulsive and short on patience and know that I have been too hasty with rose removals in the past. Seems like I am racing against the clock more and more as I age, thinking that my remaining time here on terra firma is not on my side, and getting shorter every day so I want instant success, no time left to dilly-dally...not a productive attitude at all. Who knows, I may live to a hundred+?

Thanks again for your thoughtful advice. Cynthia to the rescue again!

Moses.

Bliss today 10/02/25. A rose that has this foliage with no spray here stays. No fragrance my only complaint.

Looks great, Dianela! Are those all Bliss bushes in that bed? Did they go in this year, and as 1 gallon own root bushes?

Moses.

Moses those came last year from the Home Depot after you posted that they were available. I had them in 17 inch pots until I planted them here in late May or June. I have 5 of them planted in this area on the south side if the house for maximum sunlight. I feel like my Kordes want lots of sun.

That's right, Daniela, Home Depot had them online sale, OR BR for a good price, in 2023 I think. I got two at the time and they came looking good and healthy. My already in garden two would have made 4 Blisses, but I was just too worn out from CA treatments to plant them, and they died from just sitting too long in their bag....sad.

I hope your Blisses exceed your expectations.

Moses.