My LGS, Tagawa Gardens, grows their roses inside their greenhouse, which is also their main store. So you can literally watch the roses grow. But the bad thing is that they won't sell them until their "Night of Wines and Roses". This year, it's on the 15th, which is a Friday. However, even with 20% off of their $39.99 price, I won't be buying any. Plus I've found the hard way that the way they grow their roses isn't very good. Sure, they look beautiful now, but they won't survive being outside. They grow them in a potting mix that's about 50% vermiculite and they water their roses every day. So they grow super fast, but don't last in outdoor conditions w/wind & intense sun. Took me 4 years to figure that out. Seems kinda funny now that they have like 15 varieties of "blue" rose this year. Huh. But a lot of their roses are "Star" roses and they never do well for me.. probably because I've only gotten Tagawas roses that are Star Roses and they usually don't make it for me either.
Doesn't mean I can't oogle. People have been upset now for about 2 weeks because the weather's been perfect for planting and they're not able to buy the roses until the 15th. Doesn't matter if you're not going to be in town or not, that's the first day they're going to be available.
Now they're carrying Sterling Silver. They also have Pope John Paul II this year too.
World War II Memorial
I *have* to find a HoneySweet. *swoon* This is the most sweetest fragrant rose I've ever shoved my nose into.