Black Baccara™: Stop the presses! This spectacular blackish-red Hybrid Tea is darker than any of the "black" roses on the market so far. It's even darker than Black Magic, Ink Spots, or Taboo. Originally bred for the florist trade, Black Baccara™ produces a well-formed and long-lasting cut flower, with dramatic black-tinged burgundy-red petals boasting the texture of luxurious velvet. Gardeners who've grown this rose report that it has impressive disease resistance and vigor, and that the blooms increase in size as the plant matures. I plan to put this one in a vase with some pure white Casa Blanca lilies and see how many of my gentleman callers it causes to swoon. Dr. Leda's top ten picks for 2005