As you probably know, it is nearly identical to Souvenir de la Malmaison but is supposed to be less likely to ball in wet weather. The flowers are exquisite and have a complex fragrance. For me it produces well on a plant that stays small because it is not fully winter-hardy. For you it will probably reach 4 x 4 in time. The SDLM clan is said to love Texas, so you might look into other sports such as Kronprinzessin Viktoria (white) and Capitain Dyel de Graville (med. pink). They like heat and aren't too bad for blackspot. The growth habit is angular-branching somewhat like tea roses. In pruning, don't shorten canes unless you have to, but remove whole laterals or canes when necessary.

Souvenir de St. Anne's, a real winner.

I'm also a fan of SdlM and her sports. You'll have great difficulty finding 'Capitaine Dyel de Graville', but another sport that is more readily available is 'Edith de Murat'/'Madame Cornelissen'. There's a bit of confusion over the name, but the rose sold under either name is the same, and it's definitely worth having.

-- And I agree with Patricia43: The SdlM sport 'Souvenir de St Anne's' is indeed a winner.

I'm so happy I planted Mystic Beauty; blooms open beautifully despite our high humidity, which often runs 60% or higher. I've added Souvenir de St. Ann's, too soon to tell if she's the same size but she's certainly vigorous. Lots to llike about the SDLM clan--nice shrubby full bushes which are wider than tall, good foliage health and great repeat. In a drier climate I'd plant SDLM but here I just couldn't bear the thought of blooms balling, esp. since the antique garden doesn't get early morning sun which I think would make the balling problem more acute. The "other" Bourbons--Louise Odier, Reine Victoria etc haven't done well here; runty plants with sparse bloom.

The Souvenir clan loves Arkansas. I have all the sports that are available and each is outstanding here. Mystic Beauty tends to be a bit smaller than SDLM for me. Capitaine Dyel is the most fragrant to my smeller.

Thank you to all - I really appreciate the information and suggestions. I'm a walking encyclopedia of info on Texas Native Plants for my Edwards Plateau area of Central Texas, but other than a few Earthkind roses, I have never expanded into gardening with roses until recently. It's unsettling to know so little about something you want to do, but this forum is EXTREMELY helpful. One example is the concept of looking at the "heritage" of a desirable rose and trying other sports of that variety - that principle hadn't clicked for me until I read this thread.

I will start searching for other members of the SDLM gang, and I thank each of you for your kind help. Anne

I grow Mystic Beauty, and love the blooms. They have a wonderfully soft powder puff quality to them. Here are a few pics:

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Those are beautiful, Krista - exactly what I was hoping to see. Thanks so much - Anne

Anne, I happen to have a few pictures of the rest of the "clan" happily growing here in Arkansas. Enabling is one of my bad traits..

SDLM Rouge..also known as Lewison Gower and questioned by some as a sport of SDLM

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Souvenir de St. Anne's

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The coy Madame Cornelissen

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Kronprincessin Victoria

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The not-to-be-forgotten and smelly Capitaine Dyel de Graville

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