There is an unfortunate "truism" that Floridians cannot grow the Victorian class of roses called "Hybrid Perpetuals". I am growing several classic HPs here in Tampa in 18 gallon Water Wise Container Gardens I make from discarded plastic detergent barrels. But I am totally psyched today to be seeing and smelling 'General Jacqueminot' (year of introduction, 1853) and gathering its pollen to use in my breeding work. I had not smelled that astonishing perfume since June 2002, my last year in Denver.....what a delight! This first bloom was damaged by a hard freeze and abrasion against a freeze-killed Brazilian hot pepper....it will be fun seeing what the other buds do.
John
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