They are beauties:) One is a bourbon ( Honorine de Brabant), the other is a Hybrid Perpetual (F.P.). I am not familiar with R.C. Twirl at all. Generally speaking, for my hot dry climate, more roses in the bourbon class have been recommend than the Hybrid Perpetuals. Even looking at my one gallon own roots, potted the same way and given the same treatment, the bourbons seem to be faring better. I contemplated Honorine de Brabant but the ones I have seen created a wide, tall shrub and I do not have the space for it. Ferdinand is "supposed to" grow more upright. The color description is different too. Honorine is described as more blush with a violet stripe, where as Ferdinand Pichard is crimson striped. Those are my generic inputs based upon HMF and seeing mature H.B. in CA. How a rose performs in one climate, garden, pot, versus another is key and I am sure that the gardeners on this forum will provide valuable information so you can make your choice. The above are my 2 cents:) Lynn This post was edited by desertgarden561 on Sun, Aug 25, 13 at 11:03

Thank you all for your info on RCT. I bought a used arbor/trellis from a neighbor moving back to Michigan...and now am thinking of what kind of rose to climb it. I'm attracted to RCT because of CoriAnn's glowing reviews a couple of years ago and the part it about it being nearly thornless -- the arbor would go over the path from the side of the house to the back of the house, and is well used. So I don't want random thorns catching people! Those of you who've grown it -- would you mind updating your photos? And I'd love to see howyour hillside is looking, @cherylestes! Thanks!

Stephanie, I'm impressed you got the other two red minis to live through January. Mine start turning yellow almost immediately. I don't keep the house too warm and I don't over water them. I stopped buying minis until I thought to try them outside. Looks like that's going to be the answer. My yellow one is still in the big blue Costco pot, but will go in the ground soon. Dianela, I agree I don't like seeing dead blooms on the bushes, but roses that shed their spent blooms are not all that common in my garden. The ones that do are a real plus! I love hearing that RCT is so healthy and strong. I would never have thought your temps got that low. We haven't gotten much colder than that in recent years. If RCT gets even half as tall as yours I will be thrilled. I'm ok with relying on clematis to finish off the top of the arbors with roses that only make it half way up. There are some that may surprise me. Lunar Mist could make it all the way to the top if I ever get it planted.

They are already a bouquet, Cori Ann, and a yummy one, too. Who needs vases when a bucket will do for these beauties? I've never used glass or metal frogs, either, but once in a while do use the Oasis foam that holds water. It works well and keeps the blooms in place. I'm going to try your tip about taping or wiring the roses together--if I ever get enough blooms to make a bouquet. My first rose is finally blooming--the Canadian rose, Morden Sunrise. This rose basically dozes through the winter, and is ready to bloom like an eager kid before any of its mates have even woken up. Anyway, that bucket o' blooms is the most sumptuous thing. I'm nuts about your gorgeous Love Songs. Diane