Mine was never that deep yellow, not yet any way. Yours are beautiful!

Yes, she is plagued by weak neck problems. I've had mine for about 4-5 years, and it did not thrive in its first two locations--a real wimp. Came close to spading it. Finally I moved it to its present location at the head of the Perfumed Path and it took right off and started growing and putting out blooms like it never had before. I do not know whether age or location accounts for the difference.

However, I still keep 2-3 single plant supports nearby. Valencia now holds up her head fairly good unless it rains or the sprinkler hits it or it is a particularly windy day. In such situations, I insert the plant support as "invisibly" as possible and position the top circle so that Valencia's bloom can "rest" on it and thus keep her head up. Fortunately her blooms are so large that the top of the plant support usually is not visible at all.

I agree about the color. Mine are more buff/dull gold with a light wash of apricot in the center, but sometimes depending on weather and light conditions, they pick up a bit more yellow-golden tones. Buff is more common however.

Kate

'Valencia' has one of the most impressive and beautiful HT blooms, actually my favorite for cutting. The plant is more disease resistant for me than the average HT.

Your rose porn has made me add Valencia back to my list of "must haves." :-)

(This past spring I had Valencia in my order cart at Edmunds and swapped it out for Julia Child. However, I will say that Julia has bloomed non-stop so far this summer.)

Chris