Debra - I don't have many whites. I'm not overly fond of them. Blues & Oranges are more my line, but not 'cuz of "Broncos".. I just love the mauves & the gaudy oranges. That said, I'd have to say it's a tossup between Pure Perfume & JFK. JFK was my 2nd rose I bought and bought it at Walmart back in '08. I planted it in an area that doesn't get really full sun (probably 6 hours max), is neglected most of the time, and I've been told by many rosarians that JFK won't survive here. Well, going on 6 years, I think that it's a survivor. But I do have to say that it's been one tough rose. Survived my bad planting, survived many nice winters & a couple of really harsh ones. But no scent (a major loser-point for me) and shatters quite quickly after blooming. So I'd say that the only reason why I keep it is because I was told it wouldn't grow here. Pure Perfume, however, I adore. 1) the scent.. VERY strong citrony scent. 2) tough as nails. When I first got it, I planted it on the west side of the house, which gets only about 3-4 hours of full sun a day before the sun's behind my massive maple tree & that part of the yard is under deep shade (a full 10-15 deg difference). The canes are rather spindly for the flower heads, so they droop all the time. I transplanted it to the east side of the house a few years ago and it's .. well, I can't say "thrived" but been much happier there. Canes are still spindly, but at least it can mostly hold it's blooms up. I do love White Licorice, but don't like that it's more a creamy yellow and not a true White White. I would be happier if it was more white than yellow, but beggers can't be choosers and as long as it's blooming, good enough for me. But they shatter fast & have a crappy vase life. I have those two, 2 NoIDs (one was labeled "Chrysler Imperial.. and blooms this huge beautiful smelly white blooms), and Ice Girl (she starts out an apricot and blooms mostly white. Oh, and Bolero 2000. I want to get Full Sail one of these days. Oh, and Pope John Paul II, but he hasn't bloomed but once this year. I tried Moonstone three times, no go. I also love SugarMoon.. smells SOOOOOO good, but definitely couldn't survive in my environment (didn't see it any nursery this year). Growing roses in CO can be a challenge 'cuz my winters are too erratic. Winter 2013-2014 wouldn't let go... we got our last blast after Mother's day & traditionally Mother's day is our first "safe" planting day. However, I traditionally also ignore "safe" rules and just plant whenever I feel like planting. And if the item is being planted while still threat of winter, I just mulch the snot outta them. I don't have to worry about mildew or rust or blackspot 90% of the time because my humidity here is non-existent (when the humidity is above 40%, it's miserable here with my altitude of over 6000ft). DH & I were in DFW this past Dec and we were actually looking to Garland. I wasn't looking forward to moving.. I'm kinda like a dandelion or bindweed.. once I set down roots, I am NOT moving. But, we had to think about our future & finances & crapzilla like that. The job didn't fall through, so there's no chance of us moving now. But, one thing I had consoled myself with the concept of moving to the DFW was the fact that it would have been SOOOOOOO much easier for me to grow things there! DFW is a very nice city to grow things... during Christmas I'm just running around in a very light jacket, if that! at NIGHT! because it's not cold at all! What a difference!
