Not to mention the root system of the fig, which can be impressive.

MIP the mildew queen. More of a floppy climber here. Freddie goes straight up and heads for the sky. Which ever is the more visible spot, I would put Freddie since he looks good about 51 1/2 weeks a year. MIP is more of a spring show, not totally, but more of.

Very good that you are hot and dry for MIP. I had it, and not one bloom ever opened without me prying it open personally - just balled up tight, all of them, 100% of the time. The blooms are gorgeous, if they ever open. I live 5 blocks from SF Bay, but otherwise have hot dry summers, but it didn't matter. I would be tempted to put it in whatever spot is dryer, and has the most air circulation.

Jackie

In my coastal garden, MIP didn't mildew ALL the time. But when she did, the mildew, yes, often prevented blooms opening.

She was also highly susceptible to downy mildew and -- WORST OF ALL -- she rusted like an old bucket.

Jeri

Amazing Grace was the only rose in back to get the Downy Mildew. It did fine in the front and I wish I hadn't moved it to part sun. Perhaps it was the shaded location that caused the trouble. It's a wonderful rose. I'm going to get another for the front again.

I have MIP in partial shade. Sun only in the morning. She does get BS; not enough to affect her vigor but enough to be noticible. No mildew here.I'm surprised that others have a problem with her balling in wet weather. Surprisingly not here. However right next to her is Frederick Minstral which gets some ugly crud.
There is an ancient Doug fir behind them which isnt getting cut down any time soon. The fallen needles on top of the aged horse poops kind of looks nice. Probably why the BS is not a major issue...Maybe who knows.
I've not grown Amazing Grace so cant compare. Good luck
Jeannie

Well - no doubt this is going to be an interesting venture. I do have Amazing Grace going into a 5 hr full morning sun position, so hopefully she'll be happy there, where she'll be next to SDLM, and Heirloom, Cherry Parfait, Young Lycidas, and Bolero who are already happy there, and Peace and Monet fairly new to that bed. I think I'm going to go eenie, meenie, miney, mo with the two post namesakes and their spots, cause it sounds like either I'm gunna have luck or I'm not with them. I won't set my heart on either doing terrifically, and will let nature take her course.

Harmony- how does your SDLM do for you? I am considering to buy her or sombrieul for a friend in the East bay (West of the caldecot tunnel tho) .

Harmony,

I was super excited too when I got MIP. The 3 blooms a year I got out of her were magnificent. Sadly, she did not grow or give more blooms. I really hope she performs for you! In terms of OGRs, Sombrieul is pretty much my only success story..

Lola, my SDLM will be arriving as a bareroot in about a week. Hopefully I'll be able to post about her by fall!

My Frederic Mistral is in partial shade, and it does very well. However, Fred not only wants to go up for me, he spreads out, too, and is a little wider than he is tall. I was surprised to read that Hoov's FM just shot straight up. So, who knows how he will grow in your climate, but he will be big, no matter what. Diane

Nadia -- You're in Z10 -- Bourbons and Hybrid Perpetuals won't be your best Old Garden Roses. They like more winter chill than you probably get.

I don't know whether you're in FL or CA, or??? But in most cases, in your zone, your best OGRs will be Tea Roses, China Roses, and Noisette Roses. You can "do" Poly/Teas. If your conditions are not too alkaline, you can succeed with most Polyanthas.

Bourbons are a mixed-bag for you, but poor on the whole. Avoid Damasks, Albas, and Gallicas . . .

People like us, in warm zones, should avoid reading all them there English rose books. :-)

Jeri

Jeri what is a great book for warm climate old roses? I have a good one called Roses for the South that features Noisettes and Hybrid Musks but is there a book for Tea and China lovers?

I think I'd put MIP in the shadier spot thinking it would be cooler. I put my bourbons in the cooler spots unless I know they are specific ones that can take a lot of heat.

Most of my bourbons still bloom well, but my MIP is in a kind of shady spot and is still small enough to be getting her roots established. She has not bloomed well yet. She is looking more established as a shrub, so hopefully this year I'll see more blooms! She didn't BS badly for me yet, but she's not the cleanest rose I have either.

I hope the shade won't make her bloom less, but I was afraid she'd shut down in our summer heat or fry in the afternoon sun otherwise. I don't know yet how that's working out :)