I like the russet George Burns better than the regular. I love russet and brown roses.
I have no idea about growing roses in the desert. We have more floods than droughts in the Poconos. I am on high ground and moving to high ground so all I have to worry about is the rocks, tree roots, deer, winter wet, Japanese beetles, aphids, cane borers and blackspot. I would like to grow more fragrant roses. Shrubs, hardy climbers, and Austin roses do well for me. I would also like to try more antique roses. i love the cabbage and quartered blooms.
The few hybrid teas that I have tried to grow didn't do well for me. if anyone has success with a particular hybrid tea rose in z6 or colder, I would love to know! Buck's honey Sweet has hybrid tea like blooms. That rose had borer damage in a main cane and some fungal spots on the canes. Several roses have "black spot of the cane" this spring. I missed my typical fall spray and systemic routine when hurricane Sandy had me without power for nearly a month this fall.
I haven't heard from Mr. Grumpypants since May 31! Hope he isn't dead. Only kidding, I would have gotten a call if he were in the hospital, etc. His phone broke and he is in the process of switching carriers so I emailed him about the good news. No response, yet. I don't drive, so renting a moving truck is problematic. Grumpypants moved me in here following the accident. At least I can help more now. However, I had less furniture, fewer books and no roses at the time. Some of my friends offered to help, but you can't be certain who will actually show up on moving day. I will have to call Turtle. That is his real nickname. He is a nice guy who helped my friend move. Hope he has a friend who can help.
I am in pain tonight, so I am extra cranky. I may finish potting the plants tomorrow if life and the weather cooperate. It may rain a bit the next couple of days and will get hotter this weekend. I hope to be finished with the digging outside and focusing on the inside by the weekend.
Tomorrow, I am heading out to Wallyworld for more pots, packing supplies, food and boxes from the liquor store. I am perpetually running out of pots and boxes. I have lots of small plants in soda bottles. I am glad that i saved so many for winter sowing.
Time to soak in a hot tub and visualize myself happy in my new place! The new place has a prettier bathroom too.
Meliss. You couldn't have better people to encourage and discuss roses than ATP members. 
