This is one of my new favourites! It's like Black Baccara had been shrunk with a laser beam (or some other contraption) and the result was Black Jack. The blooms are perfectly formed, blackish-red, have a velvety sheen on the petals, and they are only 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) wide when fully open - only 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) when opening. The blooms do fade in sunlight, to burgundy red when fully open, exposing their bright yellow stamens, giving the flower a cheerful look. I like them in all stages of opening.

Blooms come singularly on a cane, or in groups of three. My plant has been waiting in its pot in a completely sunless spot so it grew a bit wobbly canes. I will report back on the cane situation when it's in a proper spot. It should be fine.

I haven't had Black Jack for long, but so far it's perfectly healthy and free-growing, and I think it makes a very worth-while addition to my garden! Will add pictures, as HelpMeFind doesn't have any.

My own root roses came back very vigorously this year even though we had a very severe winter last year (Chugiak, Alaska).