queenbee - the same thing is happening to me. I passed by Sally Homes 2 years ago thinking - not my style. But saw her last week in full bloom, and found her to be gorgeous. Then, went musing through our local nursery where unfortunately many roses are not tagged. Found an absolutely stunning single yellow - blooms rather large about 3 1/2" in diameter, light fragrance, and just something about it really knocked my socks off. I think I may have to go back and retrieve it, then figure out what it is. And now the eyeconics - aren't they something!

The singles have a way of hooking you like that! I never cared much for them either until I found Dainty Bess. Now I have several!

i "started" with roses loving the singles...mutabulis, altissmo, dortmond, mrs. oakley fischer...but soon got into the austins, and the over stuffed petals, which i love, but yes, sometimes these really speak to you. and sally holmes is one i am eyeing. saw her at the nursery looking so shabby, that i passed. bent blooms, rain spotting, but i keep driving by one on my carpool, and might purchase one.

is y'alls on root stock? this at the nursery was.

The one I planted in front of our neighbor's house is covered in blooms right now -- so pretty!

Our sally Holmes, from Heirloom, is a huge tree -- an impressive sight. Heirloom's mother plant, grown from a cutting from the original seedling in the breeders garden, has not been budded, and if they're still working with that stock, I'd recommend it strongly.

Jeri