On Jul 27, 7:30*am, "David E. Ross" wrote:
On 7/27/12 3:07 AM, Bill who putters wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/27/ny...vigorous-and-s
elf-sufficient-rose-in-the-bronx.html?_r=1&hp

* A good read.

Unfortunately, the modern roses cited in the article generally have poor
scent. *This is a result of trying to develop a universal rose.

Whatever...I only know that last few years -- more than a few!! -- -I
have had a helluva time buying new roses. Stick my nose in every one;
score maybe one faint scent out of dozens. Tfui!

HB

At one time, growers (mostly amateur hobbyists) would develop roses for
their local areas. *The article cited black spot, which does not appear
where I live; but rust and mildew are too common here. *Unlike the
twice-a-year show cited in the article, Roses here bloom and rest and
bloom and rest again and again from April until pruned in December or
January. *(I often cut a bouquet for my wife while pruning.) *On the
other hand, many of our roses are not as hardy as those in the New York
Botanical Garden; they don't have to be as hardy here. *Many of my roses
are quite fragrant.

Today, however, roses are being developed by commercial growers for
planting from San Diego to Boston, from Seattle to Miami. *Color,
disease resistance (even resistance to diseases that are localized),
hardiness, plant vigor, and duration of bloom period all have a priority
over perfume.

By the way, thank you for bracketing the article's URI with and . *As
you can see from my quote of your original message, the URI was broken
into two lines and could not be used as a link with a single click.
Your bracketing meant that I could easily piece it back together.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: *California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary