My mother was part of my reason for growing roses as well - she loved them and could never grow them successfully in zone 1.
I also started with a container garden and miniature roses. I have a friend who is a master gardener, and she used to always invite me out to the horticultural show. I used to buy miniature roses from the rose society every year, and still do when they are available.
I might take clippings this year to start indoors over the winter, because the rose society no longer has a supplier for its miniature roses, although that might change by next year of course.
