I no longer deadhead live buds in fall to induce dormancy. It didn't work for eight years. Either winter would come late and I'd realize that I'd taken off blooms that would be perfectly good (and the plant would put out more buds to replace the ones I'd flipped off) or winter would come early and the rose would (or wouldn't) respond to the drop in temperatures. Now I watch for botrytis and that's my measure of needing to do something, or not. For the articles, you need access to American Periodicals Service. This is a by subscription only source. Most universities have it and most state funded universities have computers for the public (you and me who are their ultimate funding source.) A memory stick is good for use at such public computers. The NYTimes. Washington Post and Atlanta Journal Constitution also have search functions that are subscription limited. I'd guess Chicago may be on line, but not at my local university. Then there's google scholar, google books and agricola (the latter also being subscription.) You have visited the OGR garden at Lanier House in Madisonville IN? Ann

I will answer this one from Tulsa, Ok, if that is ok. Lousise Odier is the most beautiful of roses. She ranks so high in beauty, just like Gertrude Jeckyl. Sadly, after the first bloom, the show was over for another year. Both of these roses were magnificent, and sometimes there would be a stray bloom or so throughout the summer, but for the most part they bloomed once, and that was when everything else was blooming. Louise has such an unusual color that I kept her for years, but became tired of giving her so much care for only one bloom cycle. I hope this helps. Sammy

I grew 'Boule de Neige' the Bourbon of that name, It is one of my favorite white Roses, and I love how the red buds contrast against the fully open white blooms. I adore its' scent which although I would rate as light in strength ,a 4 out of 10, but wonderful in quality, a rose I will sniff every time I see it, it has several scent notes to me, mixed floral, a touch of Damask type rose scent, and a note of cold cream, that is often found in much older white roses. I'm from the North originally, and snow has endearing qualities to me, which is why I've chosen to take most of my vacations in the North; Sweden, Norway, Scotland, Finland, Denmark, Alaska and Canada, far more often than India and Mexico, I like temperatures in the 60's and 70's F. best. I find the rose name "snow ball" or "ball of snow" to be quite charming in itself, especially as it blooms in summer when there is no snow on the ground; a white rose that stirs up memories of sledding, caroling, and seeing miles upon miles of pristine snow on a winter night, and falling down on forests of fir and spruce. The chill of snowflakes against my cheek, being indoors on a cold winter night with a wood fire burning and all the world in black of night, contrasting with silver- white sheen of snow, mirrored in stars above. The winter nights are silent, surrounded by snow, and that is a blessing for contemplation. It is an evocative name; 'Boule de Neige' One rose can mean the world to a person, whichever rose it was, the lady was in love with it, that seems for sure. Lux

I know it's early, but I've been impressed with the health and vigor of 'Souvenir de Victor Landeau'. It came as a band in Spring 2012, was planted in Summer 2013, and was one of the few Bourbons not hit hard by blackspot this year (it was actually barely fazed at all -- an occasional spotty leaf every so often, which was promptly shed and replaced). As far as the plant goes, I'm happy with it so far. Of course, I also have 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' and it has given a few wonderful blooms in its first year as a band, but I knew as soon as I saw the title of this thread that it'd be already getting lots of votes. :-) ~Christopher