I was checking on Fragrant Plum, and someone in alkaline Missouri mentioned that it's a stingy bloomer, BUT probably more prolific in a more acidic soil like the east coast.

I also have questions about Wild Blue Yonder since it's on my order from Chamblee. I wonder does it make a good cut flower, how's the fragrance? and does it tolerate alkaline soil? I put soil acidifer for Rhododrendrons & Azaleas on my roses before the rain, and the result has been great: dark green leaves. Thank you for any info. on Wild Blue Yonder.

helpmefind lists warmer zones for these two than mine - but I have a sheltered space for them - any input, folks?

I checked on Fragrant Plum regarding hardiness. Celesterose in zone 4 grows it, and Stan in Colorado, zone 5a grows it. It's a grandiflora so it's bit hardier than hybrid tea. What held me back from Fragrant Plum is the report of only 10 blooms per 2 years for alkaline soil. It has Kordes in its heritage. There are lots of German offsprings from multiflora.

I grow Wild Blue Yonder, but I'm in a warm zone. The fragrance is very good and strong. I don't do cut flowers, but the blooms don't shatter easily, so that part will work great. The blooms last a nice long time on the bush, too, before fading. The best thing about WBY is definitely the color! It's a really pretty rose.

Thank you, meredith for the info. that Wild Blue Yonder doesn't shatter. I agree that it's a pretty color. I like WBY best in the display of mauve roses in Rose Gallery Forum. Everything short here got eaten by chipmunks, so I'm leaning toward grandiflora - they are taller.