Daniel
@Dciau 1. Rose growing has been going on for many centuries by now. It can easily become a life long pursuit. It starts sometime in life, hopefully early, but even much later and it is an eye opener in more ways that one can expect!. It understands no language/ cultural/political boundaries or in fact of any other sort. Somehow there's room for everyone. The roses themselves make sure that those that at present you favour ( like the purples you mentioned) appear in your garden. They finally make their way there. Then of course, you discover something else that catches your attention/curiosity. Slowly, or quickly ,roses take a much more central position in one own's life. They almost inadvertently become those silent but very grateful companions, generously providing their essence specially when outside circumstances seem adverse or hostile. They are always the haven to return to. Yes, they get diseases, or are eaten by multiple sized critters. In some cases, they can become a real challenge when one tries to grow one that is not particularly suited for the conditions found in one's yard.
I learnt the love for roses from my grandmother. For us, Armenians, roses have been grown for centuries and is easily found in almost any household.She would wake up in the middle of night, and follow the leaf cutter ants to their nest holes with some kind of poison dust and dust the entrance hole. She would share later the rose petal marmalade with all her family. She chose 'Crimson Glory' as her choice variety. I was then perhaps just 6 or 7 years old. Now, 70+ yrs old, roses represent fond memories from afar or near by, some lost in time or space,. They fill up the internal hollows that appear caused by inevitable losses that one gradually learns to accept as part of one's life path. Even in the most dire moments they are there smiling at us....
Arturo
