Since I've become very enchanted with the miniature and miniflora roses I'll start there. Of course the Grand Daddy of them all was Ralph Moore but you can't forget Dee Bennett's delightful intros or David Clemons' wonderful race horse series. But for me my favorite is Frank Benardella. I just love his roses so much and have (or had until last winter) many of his little beauties.

Caliente, miniature, is a bright red stunner! The form is always spot on. A good grower and repeater and up until last winter very hardy.

Double Take, miniflora, has a more decorative form but was a real charmer. I only had it for a short time but would definitely consider replacing it.

Dr. Tommy Cairns, miniature, I was just lucky enough to have gifted to me from a rose friend. It's not even available anywhere yet. I've only had it a week and can't say yet how it will be but I'm thrilled to have it and excited to see what it will do. It has one bud on it!

First and Foremost, miniflora, was a big girl! Both the bloom and the plant were a good size. I wouldn't have thought it would do that well at exhibition but I've seen of late that it's been on several courts so...

Focal Point, miniflora, was my first Benardella rose and will always be my favorite. It's stunning! Previous to last winter it was sturdy as a horse and came back strong each spring. Good repeat and fairly healthy for a mini. It's already on order for next spring.

Jilly Jewel, miniature, I only had for one season but I will definitely be replacing this one. It grew like a weed, bloomed it's fool head off all season and each one looked like a Queen to me!

Kristin, miniature, I got this spring and I've fallen in love with her! Tiny, dainty blooms with perfect form in my favorite white with red picote edges. She was just a stick when I got her in June but she's a good size bush now!

Leading Lady, miniflora, WOW! I was a little worried about this one when it came in June because it seemed to be lagging behind the others I'd received. I needn't have worried, lol! She's three feet tall and wide now and hasn't stopped blooming once. The blooms are gorgeous white with the palest pink blush to them and have amazing form.

Magic Show, miniature, was a very slow starter for me. Once it took off, though, there was no stopping it! It's grown very well this season and has been blooming those perfect little beauties all summer. Even in the gray, wet, cool season we've had this year.

Patron, miniflora, was HOT! You could see that bright orange/red from across the yard. Not quite enough petals to show, I don't think, but a traffic stopping garden rose.

Powerhouse, miniflora, was another bright spot in the pots. Better form than Patron but the same great color. I was really bummed that it didn't make it last winter because I was really hoping to get it to a show this spring. Another one on the "Replace Me" list!

Power Point, miniflora, is even nicer than Powerhouse. A nice shade of red and excellent form. The plant is a strong grower but does take a while to repeat. the blooms, however, last a very long time.

Show Stopper, miniflora, was true to it's name. Wonderful form and the prettiest shade of pink you could imagine. It bloomed and bloomed like crazy too. I just got this one replaced and I'm hoping it winters well this time. I know it will be getting special winterizing!

Soroptimist International, miniflora, is probably one of Frank's the best exhibition roses. I'm getting to love this one too. The form is a mazing and the staying power is loooong! It's growing in leaps and bounds too.

So that's my favorite hibridizer report. What's yours?

Francois Lacharme
J.P. Vibert
Gilbert Nabonnand (et fils)
Rev. Pemberton and Anne Bentall
Peter Lambert
Paul Barden
Tom Carruth
David Austin
Jean Laffay
Ralph Moore
Gene Boerner
Louis Lens
Jean-Claude Ducher

And others, but these come to mind rather quickly. Like many artists, there are plenty of one hit wonders who are deserving of mention, but don't come to me as readily by name.

Jay

Coming in a distant 2nd is Kordes and 3rd Meilland.

Further back in the distance are Pemberton and Paul Barden (2 each).

After that, no repeats in names of breeders who have representatives in my gardens.

Kate

I guess if we went just by numbers mine would be Keith Zary since I see I have 10 of his roses. They are a mix of everything from HTs to floris to minis and some of my favorites too.

Bees Knees
Bella Roma
Gemini
Hot Tamale
Mardi Gras
Ruffled Cloud
Sisters at Heart
Veterans' Honor
Voluptuous
Wild Plum

Mariannese, the roses in your picture are lovely. I hope we'll hear about how well they performed everywhere after the trial period.

Sara-Ann your pictures are eye candy.

i never realized I had a favorite hybridizer till I took a look at what I grow. I still like Ralph Moore's roses. I think that the only ones I have from him are minis but they do well for me, bloom well and are pretty to boot. I love my Ping Lim roses. I only have Sweet Fragrance, Little Mischief and Music Box but they are sturdy, healthy, like to bloom and two have a nice fragrance. I like Griffith Buck, too. He had a lot of sturdy, work-a-day landscape shrubs but then threw in a few just for their beauty, I think. Prairie Sunrise and Distant Drums are two of my favorite roses, although I lost my DD last winter. If you add Julia Child, this will give you a great list of beautiful and rewarding roses for people in z 6-7 who are just getting started.

Thanks, Kes! I think maybe we all don't realize we lean toward one or another hybridizer's roses until we stop and look. I had no idea I had so many Zary roses until i checked my inventory!