Sports aren't an "on" or "off" proposition, but something which occur along a continuum. I view it as if Spray is an intermediate mutation between the original bush and the extreme climber. You can find Spray with and without the elongated sepals, just as you can find variations in the climbing sport which flower nearly continuously all the way to once flowering, like a traditional rambler. Thomas wasn't the first to be fooled by the variability. It's as if he observed all he could and attempted to determine what differences there could be between two identical plants in hopes of figuring out what the difference actually was. As has occurred with the identification of many species, he observed repeated characteristic variations and proclaimed them different, when they were actually variations of the same thing.

Hi Josef, when grown in close proximity, the two plants and flowers are so strikingly different, they can't be confused. I can well imagine how photographs can become mixed, as I've probably done MORE than my share! Nigel's foliage is much larger, heavier and "rugose" than Euphrates. The ovaries have the straight, sharp prickles Euphrates doesn't always exhibit. Nigel's petals are much larger, wider and heavier, also. The flowers are larger and it never demonstrated the ever present mildew which Euphrates seems to grasp closely to its breast and cling to as its cross to bear. There is also a much greater contrast between the "blotch" on Euphrates than on Nigel. From the petals, flower size and coloring, how heavy the foliage and wood are and the texture and size of the foliage, I would strongly suspect that particular plant to be Nigel Hawthorne. Euphrates just has never looked like that, at least no where I've ever grown or studied it.

No matter which it turns out to be, I sincerely appreciate your 'virtual rose garden' and the wonderful images you have so graciously shared with us all. Thank you! Kim