It would easily pass the pink police, it is dark wherever I have seen it.

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There's no way that could ever be described as pink.

Mine is new this past season, is in a cooler spot, in California Clay that has been heavily amended. But to me it is a deeper wine red than a lighter pinkish red. I have not compared bloom for bloom next to Darcey Bussell, but it seems to keep more of the deeper tones than DB.

Color varies with the temperature as is common with reds. I have seen it as a deep dramatic ruby red, but I have also seen it as a deep, dark pink-red. Never a light or medium pink. I find the color to be gorgeous and rich, always. Not like WS2000 which is frequently more pink than red. It is a far richer color.

I forgot to say this before: I have alkaline soil. You did ask about soil pH.

Rosefolly

This post was edited by rosefolly on Wed, Jan 30, 13 at 20:08

The colour of MW reminds me of Burgendy Ice-berg.
Mine is currently filled with tons of buds. I may post a pic of this rose when it blooms here.

Have you heard of You-Tube? There's this video clip of munstead wood if you google it.

Caldonbeck that is a gorgeous photo. I am drooling.
I have a brand new bare root Munstead Wood. It only arrived in late November. I have had to put it in a pot, as I have run out of space. It has already leafed out and is growing.
I am looking forward to seeing some blooms like yours.
Daisy

Caldonbeck, I second daisyincrete's sentiments. That is indeed a drool-worthy photo. Just repositioned my Munstead Wood (last year was its "sleep" year) to a more advantageous location--can't wait to see if mine will put out beauties like yours.

Kay

My Munstead Woods are velvety dark red/crimson, but not as dark as Oklahoma. If they are darkened by intense sun, they might not be as dark for you as they are for me. I like the way mine kept blooming right through the summer when some others had stopped. Lou

Mine's planted where it gets afternoon shade and tends towards the deeper shades of purple.

Sorry off topic here, but are you to person that use to wax eloquent about Albas and species roses? (thinking back to early 2000's)

Bethany_z5, yes, I am the same person. I have been following the Antique Roses forum here on GW since the mid 1990s, though mainly as a lurker. I am just getting back into roses again and I am finding that my needs and tastes have changed considerably over the years. The only once bloomers I grow now are 'Madame Plantier', Rosa x centifolia 'Muscosa' and 'Belle de Crecy' which, to me at least, are perfect representatives of certain types of OGR charm and beauty :-)

Caldonbeck, that photo is amazing!

Something about Munstead Wood - although the color is lovely, they wilt on hot days..

I can't wait to add this rose to my garden this spring, along with 'Young Lycidas'. I have never been Austin-crazy, but these two varieties have given me a serious case of rose lust.

Many years ago, in the late 1980s to mid 1990s, I grew 'Othello', 'Graham Thomas' and one other I can't remember in zone 5b Michigan and I can't say I was really impressed. They were awkward, lanky, diseased growers for me (even if 'Othello' did have a swoon-worthy fragrance). It appears that many of Austin's more recent introductions are truly significant improvements.

Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences with 'Munstead Wood'! :-)

Ispahan

This post was edited by ispahan on Wed, Jan 30, 13 at 9:00

Munstead Wood is usually a dark, wine red color, but it doesn't always open that way. Sometimes it opens as a dark pink and darkens as it opens. That is not unheard of for some red roses. Other dark red OGRs can do that, and even moderns like Veterans Honor can open pink but darken. Usually Munstead Wood looks something like this one.

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If you look at the farthest one on the left, it is lighter in color, but it will darken like the main one in the middle. It is quite fragrant and does not grow monstrously big. It is a good red rose. It also does not burn as badly as The Prince in the heat. I hope this helps a bit.

Here is the youtube link for Munstead Wood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqNo7EGDAvk