Almost all the ones I have personal experience with need a regular spray program. Lilian Austin can do OK without it, but for 'normal' Austins, that's the only one IME.

They are a diverse enough group that you would think some would do very well, but apparently finding that needle in a haystack isn't easy. By the time you write off opinions from people in other places, and those who spray, there is very little left.

Hi,
I have a few dozen of the Austins up here in zone 4 New Hampshire and I don't winter-protect other than mounding some soil at the bases of the bushes. These are the ones that I grow that are the most cold-hardy for me:

Winchester Cathedral
Charlotte
L.D. Braithwaite
Abraham Darby
Bishop's Castle
Harlow Carr
Pretty Jessica
The Alexandra Rose
Crocus Rose
The Generous Gardener
Spirit of Freedom
Falstaff
Morning Mist
Corvedale
Heritage
Mary Rose
Redoute
Sharifa Asma

I know I have others but can't remember them all right now.
I ordered 'Sister Elizabeth' for 2010 so I will be anxious
to see how she fares here. I have had better luck with the majority of my Austins than with my Buck roses.

The ones below I grow but they have more dieback, so aren't as hardy, but still come back to bloom well, and Graham Thomas will become a climber of about 7 feet even though he gets cut
back to a foot each spring.

Mary Webb
Grace
Ambridge Rose
William Shakespeare 2000
The Dark Lady
Eglantyne
Belle Story
Noble Antony
Windermere
Gertrude Jekyll
Graham Thomas

Let me know if you want to see any pictures....I'd be
happy to post them for you.

Celeste

I've grown quite afew here in Z5, find that they really need to be cut to the ground like HT's in spring. Mary Rose and Graham Thomas are the best of all the ones I've tried in the last 10 yrs.....

I should have mentioned that I am an organic grower and would not be spraying or using any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

I'll look for Lilian Austin, madgallica, I haven't seen that one. Thanks.

Celeste, I am surprised that the Austins do better than the Buck roses for you. I had heard they were so hardy and disease resistant. You mention the hardiness of the varieties you grow, but what about the health of the foliage and the vigor? Are there any that stand out over others? I thought I remembered that you don't spray? Do you have a secret to growing the Austins?
I have Abraham Darby on my short list because it seems to be so popular.
Pretty Jessica because your enthusiasm for it is catchy [g]
Generous Gardener, I saw a photo on HelpMeFind that showed it with an amazing number of buds on it.
Some of the others, I will have to look up tomorrow.

I liked the name of that rose 'sister elizabeth' and I will be interested to hear how it does for you. It is already sold out at Pickering.

For the list that is less hardy, since I am 2 zones warmer, maybe that would not be a problem for me?

Graham Thomas
The Dark Lady
are those I am familiar with and I will have to look up the rest.

I would be happy to see photos!

Thorn grower, thanks I like both those roses. I have a 'Golden Celebration' and I'm glad to know that I should cut back hard in the spring.

Here on the coast I believe someone a half a block from me (& with more exposure to the wind off the ocean) has a Graham Thomas. (It's either that or some other equivalently yellow Austin that can be grown as a climber.)

Some years ago during a severe winter (with a freak set of mild Dec. & Jan. temps., followed by a brutal Feb. cold snap that killed my White Rose of York, a rose hardy into zone 3) that Graham Thomas (or yellow GT look-alike) died to the ground.

It's still there, but nowhere near as vigorous or as prominent as it was prior.

(I have no idea who lives on that property, or how interested they are in gardening, let alone in growing roses.)

Evelyn is a great rose. This is saying something since many Austins have died in my zone 5a garden. Tradescant also does well although it can be an octopus. I do not spray. Abraham Darby dies to the ground and does not bloom very much. Golden Celebration, WS2K, Eglantyne, A Shropshire Lad and Graham Thomas died. Sharifa Asma is very hardy. If you want a Buck, Quietness is a good choice.

They do fantastic for me, I am near the coast, and I think they like that. Not near enough the coast to get salty, but still in a somewhat maritime climate although colder in the winter. My garden is full of David Austins.

Most of them aren't disease resistant, but it is nearly impossible to find hardy, fragrant roses with old-fashioned form that rebloom that are disease-resistant. The only roses for me that stay BS-free are the albas, which are once-blooming. Some DAs are better than others, especially the newer ones. But I will say that most my DAs are less spotty than most of my OGRs.

I grow about 35 different varieties of DAs. My rose garden is designed around them. I don't winter-protect. Some have hardiness that really stands out but you in zone 6 shouldn't have to worry about that.

I just remembered a couple others I forgot that I grow....Mayor of Casterbridge and Bredon. You can put Bredon into that list of 'not very hardy' and disease-prone. (I should get rid of it but I haven't the heart because the flowers are so pretty.) Mayor of Casterbridge does well for me but that's just my experience, as it is
with any of them...not everyone will have the same luck. Anyway, I don't spray my roses either. Blackspot is an issue here mid-to-late summer. The Austins I have found to be 'healthier' are Harlow Carr, The Generous Gardener, Bishop's Castle, Spirit of Freedom, Charlotte, Winchester Cathedral, Morning Mist, and Pretty Jessica. But you will find that for some, these aren't...that's the thing with growing roses in varying climates and conditions. For some reason Austins love it here in my garden and with the exception of Bredon, Mary Webb, Grace, Gertrude Jekyll, and Ambridge Rose they are all quite robust and healthy, sometimes getting a touch of blackspot but nothing major.
If I had to pick the ONE with no disease at all it would
be Harlow Carr. It is also very winter hardy.

Personally I don't have too many Austins that I have to cut back to the ground. I'm not sure why mine aren't more
'wimpy' given that I am in zone 4 and wind is a major factor at my elevation. Only a handful of mine die back
drastically, but even those who do will come back and make nice, blooming shrubs all summer. Hybrid teas, on the other hand, ALL die back to the ground here.

As for the Buck roses, I do grow a few with mixed results but the only one who is truly impressive in terms of vigor, health and winter-hardiness is Quietness. I absolutely adore that rose and it is one of my number 1 most recommended roses.
Mine stands over 4 feet tall and wide and the most dieback she will have is just light tip damage and I don't winter protect her at all. She hardly needs pruning here. It is a virtual bloom-machine for me. If you want a beautiful rose that won't dieback, is healthy, and has gorgeous flowers you should seriously consider Quietness.
Here is a sampling of some of my Austins...(and Quietness).

Celeste

Quietness....
{{gwi:229080}}

Harlow Carr...
{{gwi:229081}}

And yes...you need Pretty Jessica!
{{gwi:229083}}

The Generous Gardener...
{{gwi:229084}}

Bishop's Castle....
{{gwi:229085}}

Heritage....
{{gwi:229086}}

Graham Thomas....(mine grows like a climber)
{{gwi:229088}}

Morning Mist....
{{gwi:229089}}

Charlotte...
{{gwi:229091}}

Spirit of Freedom....
{{gwi:229093}}

As always, gorgeous pictures, Celeste! I am ordering Harlow Carr after your recommendation last year, and still contemplating Pretty Jessica. I need more room!

I wont weigh in on individual austins, though I would like to push the Crocus rose =).

Anyways, I tried over a dozen buck roses in my gardens, none of them survived. They are not as a class as hardy as buck roses in the northeast. There are individual buck roses that may be hardier. They were bred for a different area of the country than ours.. I dont know if its less freeze thaw cycles, or our shorter growing seasons or what.

Actually, from what I have seen and read on this forum, DA roses probably do best in New England than any other part of the country. Just look at the photos and feedback from gardeners in that part of the country. Plus, there is enough winter chill and mild summers to make a good many of them shine and be at their best. Many of them do great in California yes, but they tend to become so huge. It is always a surprise what size they will become here. Now, if only New England didn't have to deal with Japanese beetles, it would be perfect.

Juliet

Amen, Juliet! But you can add in there the too cold winters that shorten our growing season so much.

Oh my, look at those gorgeous roses! I certainly could be happy with any of those...lol. I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well the last couple of days, so I've been limiting my time online. I'll be back tomorrow to continue this discussion.

Thanks, looks like lots of good information here..

york rose, I've heard good things about both those roses. As you said, a freak winter and maybe the owner didn't make any effort to winterize the rose.

predfern, I like Evelyn, thanks for that tip. It does seem those DAs are not that hardy for you. I wonder in the Chicago area, is it windy there? Do you protect them for winter at all?

veilchen, I wonder if the salt air reaches you where you are, because in the back of my mind, salt air seems like it would be a deterrent to mildew and blackspot. I don't have any idea why I think so. [g] Again, I do appreciate the reality check. :-) I would like to accept early on, that I'm not going to find everything I want in one rose and not keep searching for it. I have had my eye on Albas. I keep hesitating to get them because of the lack of rebloom, but it looks like I should try one. I wonder if you have a favorite Alba? One that blooms for a long time? In 6a, I have had a 'Golden Celebration' for two years and have done nothing to protect it and so far so good as far as hardiness goes.

I am making a 'NO' list of roses which is getting longer than my 'YES' list. [g] I think that's just as important to have.

Celeste, thanks for warning me about the blackspot. Apparently, it is not such a problem that you can't enjoy your roses. I have read this thread and the one you wrote on the 'Healthiest Roses in Zone 4' and 'listening' to other posters and their experiences in comparison to yours, it makes me wonder if your elevation and wind that you have mentioned a few times, might help in keeping the foliage problems in check. I know those two aspects of your garden might make hardiness more of a challenge, but as far as disease prevention, I would guess that air circulation makes a big difference. It makes me wonder if I should try to place my roses where there is wind.

I do love the look of 'Quietness' and was so disappointed that she has no fragrance to speak of. I can see how it could work to plant her in among others that are very fragrant. Unfortunately, like another poster, I have so little room for roses, I think I need to try to get the fragrant roses into the garden first and see if I have room for others. I love all the photos of your roses and I will have a hard time choosing a couple!

I am surprised to read of people's experiences w the Buck roses, but I think that I am more partial to a more fragrant, very full bloom, anyway.

Interesting viewpoint Juliet. It would be nice to discover that the DAs excel in New England. If they do well for me, I might be looking to move to a bigger, sunnier yard. [g] Although I would imagine, the thought of no blackspot or mildew or Japanese beetles has got to be heavenly there on the West Coast. And having roses that grow too large, well I bet a lot of people would love that problem! :-)

Is anyone growing? ....

Abraham Darby
Emanuel
Fair Bianca
Geoff Hamilton
Glamis Castle
Jubilee Celebration
Mortimer Sackler
Wildeve

We got Geoff Hamilton because it was disease resistant, but have seen late season fungus, except for recent years, in which our spray program keeps the leaves clean to the bitter end... Our plant does well, but the blooms have too many petals to open in the constant rain, unlike Peace, which will open no matter how wet the weather. We like Sharifa Asma better--but it is in a prime spot shielded from the wind and rain, yet gets plenty of water and sun--it was the last rose to stop blooming in our yard.

My growing conditions are exactly opposite yours -- very hot, dry summer and no snow winters. But, since you asked, I have both Glamis Castle and Jubilee Celebration.

I planted Glamis Castle as a bare root 1 yr ago. I thought I planted it in full sun but didn't realize that the neighbor's tree shades it. It moped and rarely bloomed. This fall I moved it to about 6 hours sun. It's started blooming. It has pretty white round blooms. I planted it next to Francis Dubriel and I think the smoky red and pure white will be pretty. We'll see. It's known for blooming it's head off, which is what I want from it.

Jubilee Celebration is one of the very few roses that I'd buy a second one! I love it. It's color is very pretty -- pinks and oranges mixed together. Sometimes more pink, sometimes more orange. It's even pretty when the intense heat fades it. The bush is smaller ( a plus in my area where some Austin's become monsters). I think Jubilee Celebration can go next to many colors and be pretty. The bush keeps a nice shape too-- it doesn't get too leggy.

For the record, the only rose that I own two of is Pretty Jessica. I bought one on the recommendation of Celeste and Randy on this forum and put it in a pot. Then I decided I wanted one in the ground, so I put the potted one in the ground and placed another little one in the pot. It's a smaller rose but the flowers are absolutely perfect. It's a clear medium pink.

I don't have a sense of smell so can't comment on fragrance. I know Pretty Jessica smells great because my husband has commented. I've never brought the other two in the house, so I don't know.

Enjoy.

I grow Mortimer Sackler and Jubilee Celebration here in Zone 6 Kansas.

Mortimer is a taller upright shrub--probably wants to be a climber of sorts, but I keep trimming it back to maintain the taller upright look I wanted in that spot. It rarely has BS problems, and only light ones when it succumbs. Nice bloom and good re-bloom. Can't remember if it has fragrance or not. I like this rose a lot, but I don't "love" it, if you know what I mean.

My Jubilee Celebration has been somewhat of a runt--not vigorous, a bit wimpy looking, certainly doesn't get as tall and wide as the catalogues claim. Maybe if it got more sun--but there is no such spot left in my garden. It has more BS problems than Mortimer--but, again, more sun might solve part of that problem. The blooms, however, are wonderful--big full blooms, kinda a salmon pink with a touch of yellow at the base. I really love those blooms. Fragrance? Can't remember.

Kate

I have had my eye on Albas. I keep hesitating to get them because of the lack of rebloom, but it looks like I should try one.

If you get a big one (& there are several candidates that are pretty big shrubs), and you plant the right not huge-ish vining clematis nearby you can let it wander among the canes and the clematis will give you flowers among the canes when the rose is finished. You will have to pick the Clematis carefully, but there are more than a couple of choices that will work, depending upon your color tastes, of course.

(Did I mention that there's a serious Clematis nursery on Cape Ann, or that Clematis & roses are famously good garden pairings, or that the blue-green foliage of many of the Albas is particularly well suited to the flower colors of most Clematis?)

;)

It often helps. Some fungi really strongly prefer high humidity and their spores won't germinate without it. Black spot in particular is that way. The Mid-Atlantic has summers that get warm & muggy by Memorial Day (where that doesn't happen here until late June), so a windy spot in a Mid-Atlantic garden isn't as useful for black spot prevention (the region is pretty much black spot Nirvana), but a windy cool spot here very well could be a place that would reduce the black spot pressure faced by a rose.

(If only I could do something about the fine mist lawn sprinklers that go on for 30 mins. every morning at 4:30 here! :-((( )

Take my advice and order David Austins mail order through a source that roots them and not on rootstock. Their seems to be some concern that Austin grafts on Dr Huey and Dr Huey has had some virus issues

For an alba, how about Alba Semi-plena? I recently ordered it myself, having read that it is fragrant and will cover itself in big red hips. I am always on the lookout for once-bloomers that have some sort of bonus such as nice foliage or decorative hips.

Alba semi-plena is lovely, but you do have to have room for it unless you want to do a lot of pruning. When I had mine it was about 6' X 9' and it only got a few hours of direct sun. It develops into a big, fairly loose fountain shape when left to its own devices.

I knew it was tall, York Rose, but was not aware it could be 9' wide. Good grief! Thanks for the heads-up
Maureen

Well, I think this has been a very good thread on David Austins. I appreciate everyone's input. I have made up my mind what I am purchasing this year, but I'm sad that I can't buy about a dozen more....lol. I had already decided to stick to just one order from Pickering this year and they were sold out on my favorites, so I finally decided on Harlow Carr, because of it's disease resistance, it's 'old rose' fragrance, it's ability to repeat bloom and according to the David Austin site, possibly tolerant of part shade. I have just the place for it. It is not my first choice by a long shot. Not the glamourous beautifully formed, quartered and buttoned blossoms that I really love, but I think it will suit my purpose for the time being. What has happened though, is that now I really want to grow more roses and I am very interested in growing more David Austins. So I am keeping my list and I'll just have to see if I can figure out a way to squeeze them in somewhere so I can buy more. :-)

zack, thanks for saving me from Geoff Hamilton which I would be unhappy with I believe. Sharifa Asma will go on my list.

rosecorgis, Glamis Castle is gorgeous and I would love to try it. I hope you will post photos this summer. Jubilee Celebration, I think I will have to check with others who might have tried to grow it in my area. From a photo, I love the color and form of that rose.

dublinbay, I really dislike the BS problems and the loss of foliage that goes with it, so I appreciate knowing the problems you've had with it.

York Rose, I really did want to try an Alba. Especially since I have less than full sun in an area I want to try one. I was hesitating because of the 'once bloom', but I am growing clematis too and I had forgotten that I could combine the two. So I am going to buy one Alba. I narrowed it down to Felicite Parmentier and Mme Plantier and I needed a white, so I ordered Mme Plantier. Thanks for the reminder and the link. I have not ordered from the supplier on Cape Ann, but I am going to take a good look at what they are offering this year too..... Thanks for pointing out the size of semi-plena.

zyperiris, thanks for that reminder about the Dr Huey rootstock. That will keep me away from ordering DAs at the nursery. I am ordering from Pickering who uses a different rootstock I believe?

Maureen, oh how I wish I had room for a large rose like that! You make a great point about looking for the added benefit of 'four season' interest on a once bloomer.

Thanks to all! I think the question of whether David Austins do well in New England has been answered. Feel free to keep the thread going on your favorite David Austins. I am still making a 'wish' list as I'm sure others are as well. I was wondering which Austin is the most fragrant, which Austin repeats the best, are there any Austins that don't have droopy flowers, which blossoms last a long time?

:-)

Yes, Pickering is a good place..try Palantine, and Vintage gardens, and Roses unlimited. They may still have more Austins. I decided to wait to purchase any more Austins. Seems many people say they blow fast. I noticed that my Lady Emma Hamilton did that last year..and I have a Crown Princess Margarita..I am going to see how these two do this year..plus I have a new Glamis Castle that was a gift..I have learned that there are lots of english style roses that aren't Austins. I just ordered one called Octavia Hill. Google it..it's a beautiful rose.

zyperiris, thanks for adding other sources to my list. Do I understand that Rogue Valley Roses is another?

What does 'blow fast' mean? The blossoms don't last long?

You enjoy the saturated colors like I do with the Lady Emma Hamilton. and Crown Princess Margaretta is another color I really like. I see they have a new one Summer Song which also appears saturated. There are so many pale pink roses that have other excellent qualities that I am looking for, but the pale pink is just not what I need. I have a white house and I prefer the darker, more saturated colors with a little white and yellow mixed in. Glamis Castle is sumptuous in photos, I will be curious to see how that does for you this year. Octavia Hill, is really gorgeous and Celeste has raved about it, so I had it on my list until I discovered it was not fragrant really. Fragrance is something I wouldn't buy a rose without. Behind disease tolerance, that is the second most important quality for me. If you have room to have many roses, then I think you can choose roses for their beauty alone or other qualities, but in a small garden like mine, each selection has to work hard.

Well, thank you for the input and I am looking into other roses that are non Austin as well. Lots of beautiful roses out there! Too many !! lol Good luck with Glamis Castle and Octavia Hill. Hope we will see photos this summer.

Prairiemoon2, you are going to do fine with your DA roses. They are known to do great in your part of the country. Your might want to try Gertrude Jekyll. She does really good when grown in a place that gets winter chill and she is known as one of the most fragrant of roses.

Juliet

For future reference, Austin's Mayflower is VERY disease-resistant and very cold hardy. Pink old-fashioned flowers on a 4 x 3 bush. Don't remember about fragrance.

Kate

Prairie, Yah..blow fast means the petals fall off fast. Yes, Rogue Valley Roses is another mail order.

My understanding is that Pickering uses Rosa multiflora seedlings as rootstock, so you should be just fine using Pickering.

I have never grown or seen Mme. Plantier, but it is a famous rose.

Juliet and Kate, I will check out Gertrude Jekyll and the Mayflower.

Blossoms not lasting is disappointing zyperiris. My Rhapsody in Blue does that. Not even one day and the petals are falling.

Yorkrose, I understand that rosa multiflora is very hardy. I didn't know Mme Plantier was a famous rose. I am going to have to look it up.

Thanks :-)