I've not grown this rose and do not live in zone 8 but when I asked Gregg Lowery's advice at Vintage about this rose he said it was an incredibly fussy and picky rose, a real monster to grow. He advised me instead to grow Roberta Bondar, a sport of Buff Beauty. I know this does not specifically answer your question but I thought you might be interested in the opinion of an expert in the old rose field.

Ingrid

What observation tells me is that there are some roses that need some heat to thrive.
My friend Kim Rupert tells me that most of the yaller Noisettes (incl. M.Niel) are among that group -- and my personal experience validates that.

Ingrid, inland, might do better with M. Niel than Gregg did.
labomorphmom, if she is coastal, might fail as dismally as we have.

Jeri

Jeri, I described my situation in detail to Gregg in my initial post to him. I'd like to think I could grow this rose some day and have it be a success.

Ingrid

I've had this rose twice. The first time it languished, didn't grow, and finally died. The blooms were so beautiful that I tried it again. Same vendor. Grew splendidly and quickly into a nice sized FLEXIBLE climber. Most climbers aren't flexible.

It's a great rose for me, vigorous and tolerant and big, and anything but fussy. My rose is grafted, and this may be important. No rust, a bit of mildew but not important (I don't spray). We have hot dry summers and mild winters, and my MN gets some protection from a wall.
Melissa

I have an own root that is 5-6 years old and it's a terrific rose. I don't spray and it stays clean and is rarely without flower. If it gets very humid the blooms will ball up but that is my only complaint.

Someone told me years ago there were several clone of MN out there. I went through 3 other plants before I found this clone from the late Ralph Moore and it's been a winner for me in my garden.

We grow the one Greg Grant found in Texas, years ago, as a very vigorous "clone." I've always wondered if they were really clones, or if some (most) are infected with some virus. In any case, there are certainly big differences among sources of this rose. We graft it to 'Fortuniana'. That combination -- Greg Grant's selection, 'Fortuniana' roots, and central Florida's hot, humid climate, combine to make it the single most vigorous rose I've ever grown. A small potted plant can be set out in the garden and completely cover an 8x8' arbor in one season. Then it reaches out to shade every other rose in its vicinity. A true house-eater. I agree with Paul -- it will ball in damp weather, and can be really ugly then. But in good weather, it's amazing.

This rose, perhaps more than most, also seems to be picky about some aspect of where it's grown -- perhaps soil. In many areas, it is far better grafted, even if the area normally supports own-root roses of other varieties perfectly well. Even back when it was first introduced, describers of this rose tended to discuss the best understock for it, when they'd not be having that discussion with any other rose. In any case, it certainly takes well to 'Fortuniana' roots.

Mine plant is probably grafted on Laxa, which seems to be standard, and likes it just fine. It's growing in a former farm courtyard, and though I made some effort to improve the soil, the ground is a mess of hard-packed clay, gravel, and brick and mortar rubble, over a softish bedrock. I agree that MN may be picky about where it chooses to grow, but it certainly doesn't require rich soil.
Melissa

I want to add that Malcolm mentioned (when we visited with him in FL last year) that MN does not take kindly to pruning..did I remember that right, Malcolm?? I saw it growing on a huge arbor and think that was the one that had been replaced several times due to pruning.

The one I have I've let grow and it's been really vigorous here own root.

I have one plant of Marechal Niel and though it has not been very vigorous for me, that may be my fault. I kept it in a pot too long before planting. :( (I actually thought it would die--I certainly would have deserved it) The blooms are gorgeous--heavy, almost artificial-looking pale yellow. I would grow it for just a few of those. It is doing better every year and I plan to take extra care with it this year (more manure/water etc...). Though it is not very big yet, it must be fairly tough to survive my care. No disease, but better flowering with more "love". :) I do not spray except for a very occasional dose of Neem spray.

I grow MN here in piedmont NC. It came from Chamblee's and is an own-root rose. It has been very vigorous. It does ball with humidity, and it gets a little bit of BS, but not much. This thing just took off for me and never looked back. I have to say that it does not seem to mind being pruned here. If I didn't prune it, it would take over the yard. MN has the best scent and the yellow color is what I think of when I think "yellow". I love it.

Yes Kaye, Some times of the year, even a light pruning results in death of the plant, to the ground.

I llive in Northern California, east of San Francisco and would only try growing 'Marachel Niel' further inland if I lived where day temperatures were more often in the 80's, during the bloom season.

I've successfully grown 'Reve d'Or' and 'A. Stella Gray' in Emeryville, where I would not try and grow M.N.., as much as I adore that rose.

I suggest that you compare your gardens monthly average temperature, during the bloom season, with that of Sebastopol, where growing M.N. is problemental.
Lux

I cut away great chunks of mine when pruning. It doesn't mind.
Melissa

I have been looking for this rose for many years and would love to find a plant. I can't grow roses worth a darn where I live, but I would give it to my sister in Miami or my cousin in the Atlanta area to grow for me. This rose means a lot to the three of us since our grandmother always remembered one that climbed on a trellis next to the front door of the house where she grew up in North Georgia. Can anyone direct me to where I can get rootstock or a potted plant?

Here is a link that might be useful: Sonia Tastes Hawaii