Flawless Goddess of the Garden.

The flawless "Iobelle.", a photo by Leenechan on Flickr.

I see people using that term all the time to refer to their favorite female celebrity. "Iobelle" really is the flawless goddess of our garden this year. Of all the roses we grow, she's the only one who produces picture-perfect blooms every time.

Too bad our Number One Rose of the Year is growing in a pot...

Princess "Prairie Star."

Princess of the Garden?, a photo by Leenechan on Flickr.

I keep hearing stories about this rose's lack of disease resistance, but if anything were to happen to her I would move heaven and earth to get a replacement. Even though she does attract thrips, she doesn't get them as badly as "Moondance." She also doesn't blackspot as badly as "Moondance" does. I guess that "Moondance" really is the crappiest rose we grow. :O

This flower is heartbreakingly lovely.

"Simon Estes" Comes Into His Own.

"Simon" Twins., a photo by Leenechan on Flickr.

Last rose post of the day, promise!

Here's "Simon Estes," working for his 8.5 ARS rating. We've had him since August of last year. Now he's finally come into his own, producing sprays of flowers and not balling every other bud. From our experience so far he's a steady grower, a generous bloomer once he's established, and very, very cold-hardy. My only criticisms are that his flowers bleach fast in the sun and tend to ball in wet weather. Still, when he's fully grown he is going to be awesome.