The lawn in my front yard has been converted to desert landscape except for the hedge of roses that surrounds the immediate front yard. About 47 Sunsprite Roses, and a few misc. in the background, Lyda Rose, Knock Out, and a few others whose name eludes me right now. Most of the back yard is desert landscaped, however I have one small section of grass for my dogs. I'm not sure I agree on which is cheaper to water. My grass takes 25 minutes of watering twice a week. My roses take 3 hours of watering (drip irrigation) three times a week. I suppose because I have more roses than I have grass, that is what makes it take so much more water to water my 250+ roses. but roses do drink lots of water out here, I'm sure to make up for all the moisture they loose through their foliage. At one time I had over 425 roses.

I'm laughing about the head of the rose society not knowing about Blue Girl, Toni. I was at a nursery the other day, which sells lots of roses, and I heard the owner talking to someone on the phone and assuring the person that Ballerina was not the name of a rose. And she didn't mean her nursery didn't carry it. She said she had never heard of it, had never seen it anywhere, and there is no rose named Ballerina. Meanwhile, Ballerina is used as a landscape rose all over this county because it's so healthy and full of blooms at all times.

Oh, well...

Heck, I've even seen Ballerina at Home Depot! Had no scent which is why I didn't buy her.

But, new additions, new pictures.

Today, let's start off with Tuscan Sun. She's faded, but still nice.

Not too far away is Purple Heart. She survived. Purple Passion.. well, J&P roses for the most part don't do well with me. I like this picture.. if you make it big, it kinda looks like the rose is being shy and doesn't want you to see her stamens. :D

This is an unknown. I got this on my "midnight run to Home Depot". I can't tell if it has a scent.. every time I try to find out, either it's too hot or it rains, which washes out the scent. She was labeled on the bucket "Henry Fonda". Yea, sure, looks like a giant yellow rose to me, doesn't it look like that to you? Oh, and the label was a picture label from J&P, too.

Here's a closeup of one of the flowers. You can see it has a beautiful blue color, but so small! But, there's so many of them, that kind of makes up for it. Any clues or suggestions would be appreciated. Pretty much thornless, definitely in the floribunda family (I think).

Right next to this mystery blue is Tequila Sunrise. Now, when I bought this rose last year, I remember the tag 'cuz DH made fun of it, asking if it was a drunk rose. But, this year, the roses aren't any bigger than last (2" max), no scent, and this is definitely not orange rimmed yellow. But, for a zone 7 rose to have made it in my horrid zone 5-4 winter? Can't beat that!

Here's one of the Perfume Tigers. They smell as nice as they look.. but have NO vaselife.

A different Perfume Tiger. I put these along my sidewalk. This one was so floppy, I got one of those dahlia/peony cages to help brace it up.

Closer to the house is my row of Sterling Silvers and RedGolds. Here's one of the Sterling Silver, heat beaten. :(

Here's one of the Sterling Silvers with a RedGold.

In my mini bed, Pinstripe is just happily blooming away. Wheeeeeeee!!!

Here's my Red NOID. She's not that tall compared to last year when she was nearly 4' tall (at least one cane was).

This is still a pretty apricot NOID. Sure would like to know who she is. :(

Between these two, and slightly to the back, is my Scentsational mini. I really should get a few more of these.. I love the color. True-to-color.

Beyond the Sterling Silvers/RedGolds are two Sunny Delights. And they sure to brighten up a dreary morning (which has totally blown away by now).

Ah, finally, my Blue Bayou. This is one I got from Palatine this spring. Beautiful Beautiful.. SOOOOOOOOO happy with this rose!!!

Bad closeup. :(

Little up the ways from Blue Bayou is Judy Garland. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this rose!!