In the spring of 2007 I did not plan on adding more roses to my garden.  I wanted, and needed, to focus on the ones I already had.  What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...and gardeners?

A Special Rose
In 2006 a very special friend of mine passed away.  Her name was Dee.  She was a quadriplegic that was very handicapable.  Dee had a college degree (associates) and a job doing online transcription.  She could have applied for a stunt driving job with her souped up electric wheelchair.  She loved life and was the happiest person I knew.

Early 2007 I received a Nor'East Miniature Roses catalog.  It won't hurt to look...right?  I was certain I could skim through it without buying anything.  Then I saw the new introductions.  There she was.  A rose named Remembering Dee and how fitting that it is a miniature rose.  Dee was 4'11", but if you asked her she was 5'.  I was getting another rose.  Actually, I was getting two.  My mother wanted one for her yard as my family had adored Dee too.

What They Said...
This miniature rose grows to a height of 16 inches to 2 feet.  The blooms are white with an old fashioned bloom form.  41+ petals are packed onto a 2.5 inch, mildly fragrant, flower.  This plant has repeat flushes throughout the growing season.  It is very disease resistant and does well in zones 5b to 10b.

What I Say...
Every time my Remembering Dee blooms I am amazed by the tiny, approximately 2 inch, flowers.  They are a pure white, full of petals and perfectly formed.  I enjoy the single blooms, but when there is a cluster of 3 or more they remind me of small bridal bouquet.  This plant's roses are beautiful and last longer than most of my larger plants blooms.  While I love the blooms that are supposed to be mildly fragrant, I have trouble detecting a scent.

My plant has grown approximately 18 inches tall for the two seasons I've had it.  I'm near the gardening zone 5a/b line and do not use winter protection.  It is already about 6 inches tall and full of leaves going into its third year in my garden.  My mom's Remembering Dee grows a bit larger.  But, she is in town (20 minutes away) and has created a microclimate in her back yard.

For the most part my Remembering Dee has been very healthy.  It didn't develop blackspot when I had a bad outbreak of it in my yard last year.  I didn't find aphids on it when they covered most of my other plants.  So why did I say "for the most part"?  Last year about two-thirds of the way through my growing season it started dying.  The canes and leaves started turning brown and it didn't have any flowers.  I didn't, and still don't, know what was wrong.  I cut back the dead canes, sprayed with Immonox Plus and hoped for the best.  By the end of the season, before the first frost, the plant was green again and had grown new canes.  As I stated above, my Remembering Dee is back this year and looking good.  My mom's plant has been basically carefree.  All she does is water it a few times a week and it stays healthy and happy.

Both...
My mother and I love this rose plant.  Some would say it is just because of the name.  We would argue it is the name and the beautiful, tiny flowers on these small healthy plants.

Check out more roses in my zone 5 garden.

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