Celeste, your rose bud photos are breathtakingly beautiful. I especially like the buds of the moss roses and out of this class the buds of Crested Sweetheart are my favorites. They are so special looking! Do you and/or others have any idea if Crested Sweetheart would grow and bloom for me here in zone 10, CA? The only moss rose that I have so far is Salet. I got it as a band last year and it has grown well but not bloomed for me, yet. I am wondering if this is only because the band is still too young and small or if moss roses simply need more winter chill to bloom properly than my climate is able to offer. Christina

Also, you might consider Chamblee's Roses. They are shipped in gallon pots and are more mature than roses of many own-root vendors. Chamblee's selection is not as extensive as some, but they do have nice roses. Another vendor with larger own-root plants is High Country Roses, though their selection is aimed at colder climates. Still, you might find some you like there; I have. Amity Heritage Roses used to sell the largest own-root bands around, just gorgeous plants, but I don't think they are currently active. It didn't look like it to me when I last visited their website. Probably there are others, but I'm only mentioning ones I have purchased from myself. My personal favorite vendor is Vintage, and I buy the majority of my roses there, but you do have to mature them in a gallon pot yourself. Rosefolly

Yes, sadly, Fleurissimo is expensive. My kids never know what to give me for Christmas, so I tell them to get me a bottle. It works out for everyone! I first found it at Harrod's in London. At that time, it was very hard to track down in the US. I only found one store that sold it; the store was in Seattle, so shipped it to me. Now it is more available and several of the better department stores carry it. However, I haven't found anyone who discounts it very much, even online. If you like it, buy the larger bottle. It lasts well and is much less expensive per ounce that the smaller. A word of warning: Do not be tempted to keep applying it because YOU no longer smell it. It's one of those perfumes of which the wearer loses the scent, unless applying nose to wrist. But everyone else can still smell it and love it. I get so many favorable comments every time I wear it. Some people do not even realize it's a perfume they smell, because it is not at all perfumy-smelling. It's a clear, light floral scent. I hope you enjoy the sample. Just remember to keep sniffing your wrist!

Ron - Maybe you need to post a warning before readers view those photos (just teasing) - that one you posted today really made be feel a little dizzy. I'm not afraid of heights - just precipices!!! There is just no way I could ever get that close. But I can also sympathize with you - my middle son would have been right there next to your son.