Shiva wrote:
On Sun, 11 May 2003 21:50:59 -0400, Henry wrote:
I bought Pat Austin (for which I have to blame Shiva).

I was marveling at this rose today. Wonderful color gradations and as
it ages, even some blushing at the outer petal edges. I will be
interested to know what you think of the scent. And how you would
characterize it!

They had both Pat Austin and Jude the Obscure (among others) but I
decided I'd go with this one for now. After all, it's Mother's Day so I
couldn't buy too much for myself. Jude is still on my list. Johnson's
is overpriced so even at 20% off it was $32 but it's a lovely, large,
healthy plant so I guess it's worth it. I'll let you know how it does
and how I like it. My wife's not sure about the mix of colors I've got
but I don't care. I don't think she will, either, when they are all
blooming. I'll mix perennials around the them to fill in and add to the
riot of color.

-- I planted that and New Dawn (a gift from someone at work) this afternoon.

You must be well liked at work! I planted my New Dawn last fall as a
small potted grafted rose. It was among the last to bloom, is just now
half full of buds with perhaps 10-15 blooms. What I love about it--the
dainty, dark green, slightly rounded leaves, the floriferousness, and
the medium rosy scent. There is an example of this rose that grows on
the grounds of the NC Governor's Mansion, so I had occasion to watch
its habits for ten years or so. Although on the north side of the
building and fairly severely pruned every year, it was the first thing
to bloom in the spring and the last to bloom each fall, sometimes
giving blossoms as late as December. I liked it so much I could not
believe my luck the day I looked down and saw the metal J&P tag at the
base! This rose gets big if you let it, but does quite well if you
don't. Up in Maryland your mileage may indeed vary. I think this was
the first patented rose?

The New Dawn was rooted by a friend so will be growing on it's own
roots. Don't know what difference that might make. I'm going to grow
it along my front fence (from the outside). I currently have four roses
on the inside (Linda Campbell, Johann Strauss, Auguste Renoir, and
Barbara Bush) plus those growing up the arbor at the end of the walk (at
the gate)(Zephirine Drouhin, Sombreuil, and Madame Isaac Pereire). Now
with these two outside, I'm really running out of space up front. The
south side of the gate just doesn't get enough sun. There's a very
large buddleia that may have to go. I think it will give me room for
two or three more...

--
Henry