Thank you so much Patricia, that is so encouraging. I did think of trialling some but I just can't bare to leave the bed empty much longer. I will be sure to share pictures next Summer. Happy Christmas!

This has been the buy of the year. Disease pressure this year has been quite low due to the hot dry conditions. Mildew has had a field day. 'Purple Rain' has had no mildew at any time throughout the year, even on the surface of new buds as is often found with some of the wichurana groundcover-style roses. I have never found any black spot on it, growing in less than ideal conditions. Reports from further north (Goulburn), where disease pressure has been quite intense this year, confirm its excellent disease resistance in that climate. Seems to tolerate some shade. Stays fairly compact with the occassional snake-like stem. Forms no hips (yet) and sheds cleanly. Fertile as a pollen parent. Colour has been consistent all year though I have heard reports from warmer regions (Sydney) that the purple fades to pink very quickly and the flowers 'over-blow'. This has not been the case down here in Tasmania. Foliage is wonderfully dark green, thick and leathery. Thorny customer! I would love to know what the seedling was that Kordes used with 'Bassino' to make it! If I was a betting man I would say it is probably one of their 'Immensee' x 'The Fairy' breeders, or one if its derivates, that have been popping up in a lot of their recent landscape-style rose releases. It also reminds me a lot of 'Sweet Chariot', only healthier and stronger. Same hint of perfume as well. It has been extremely hot and dry this year in Tasmania where it has flowered and looked good all season. Flushing again now we are coming into Autumn. Great rose.