It is easy to be of two minds when it comes to the roses bred by Herb Swim. If one lives in a Mediterranean climate and loves big blossoms and fragrance it would be easy to think of Swim as perhaps the world's most successful rose breeder; for he has produced a long list of roses with unusually large blooms, unusually well formed blooms, unusually colored blooms, and unusually fragrant blooms. Ever since World War II the geographic locus of rose gardeners in America has been concentrated in the regions with climates well suited to growing such roses. So one might assert that most American rose growers think highly of his offerings. The ARS ratings partly affirm and partly refute this point of view.

Gardeners outside the perfect rose growing regions, however, might feel a little left out. In zone 6b Double Delight will grow, but it needs ideal soil to even show up. I have seen Mr. Lincoln, Camelot, and Garden Party growing well in a local garden and was quite impressed, but Lincoln failed quickly and convincingly in my own garden. Some of the other roses might be better, but I am skeptical.

The upshot is; if you live where the conditions are or can be made ideal, it is hard to find a single breeder who has managed to pack more color, more fragrance, and more size into the hybrid tea bloom than Swim. If you do not, be prepared to make heroic efforts on behalf of your roses. Or choose rosed by another breeder.