hi, tandaina, It is confusing, but horticultural zone classifications refer to the low temperatures an area has. In my zone 8b in a mild coastal area, lows are usually not more than about 15 degrees. The teas I grow can handle the cold generally, but the kicker is that summertime heat levels are not reflected within that 8b definition. What I've found is that to do well teas need more heat than I have in most of my yard. Summers rarely reach much above 75 degrees. You can create a warm microclimate such as what Jackie is talking about and that helps a lot. Also I've found that with some of the teas that I grow, that even when they bloom, the scent doesn't develop very well. I don't grow very many Austins so have no real opinion of them. Heritage does beautifully for me, though, and I love it. Mostly I've come to love the once bloomers and the polyanthas/multiflora types, so that is what I primarily grow. I do grow several teas and baby them quite a bit, but where I am, I don't think they'll ever attain the height, the floriferousness, the scent that they did in Alabama or in Dallas. That's okay, I couldn't grow a gallica well in Texas. I don't know how much help that is, but I do wish you good luck with your garden! Gean

I have Comte de Chambord, no spider mites here. Spider mites like it dry and hot. If your rose is next to a brick border, it increases the chance due to reflected heat from the brick or wall. Comte de Chambord has tiny prickles, it would be hard to alcohol the stem. I got rid of spider mites on my Austin Eglantyne last year by putting paper towel around the base, then wiped the stems and leaves with 90% alcohol. I chopped off the badly infected part first and disposed of it, before wiping the rest of the plant. What might work with prickly Comte de Chambord' stem is using Scott Lint Roller to sticky-trap the mite on the stem, then alcohol the base of leaves, where they hide.

True_blue, 'John Davis' will bloom again on new wood, though the second "flush" generally isn't very significant. In order to climb, this rose NEEDS deeply dug fertile soil and feeding, otherwise you'll just end up with a shrub, but an attractive one at that. 'JD' can take zone 3 cold, but the biggest challenge is dealing with winter desiccation drying up the stems. Alberta (central Alberta included) will at times experience amazingly BALMY winter temps and the reflected heat from buildings will only further intensify and desiccate this rose. So, I water deeply prior to freeze up and attempt to lean 'JD' away from the house ... it's a challenge to get almost any rose to climb in our cold prairie climate. 'Olds Collage Rose' looks especially nice, thanks for posting vstapes :)

That's really interesting about the Knockouts in Florida. In the Piedmont of NC the Knockouts are literally bulletproof. There's tens of thousands of the hot pink and the pink double, most of which are utterly neglected year in and year out, and which are just completely foliated and disease and insect free for the last five years. I don't really like them, but I am impressed. Barbara and all, thanks for the feedback on Mrs BR Cant. She seems to set a standard for vigor, floriferousness and wonderful blooms for a tea. The area I'm going to put it in is large, an open area between my yard and the next, but I keep waffling on whether a 10' wide bush with thorns would be too much ... Thanks for the feedback on Comte de Chambord as well. I keep thinking about bourbon and portland roses, with arching canes and a big spring show of wide fluffy pink blooms (Comte, Louise Odier etc ...) but recommendations seem to be universally "Don't bother without spray". Teas love our climate, so I'm definitely going to add one or two lighter pink ones. I already have Madame Lombard growing in a different location. Does anyone here have experience with: - Bon Silene - General Schlablikine Those two have a number of glowing reviews from Georgia and Tennessee commenters. I'm holding off on Mons Tillier because it leans the most coral of the teas I've seen and not quite as healthy foliage. Also, has anyone grown Boule de Neige in the Southeast? I'm thinking of whites to break up the pinks. I already grow crocus rose, ducher and sombreuil. Any other suggestions for the southeast? Particularly things with arching canes and big snow white flowers? I'd consider once bloomers as well maybe. Madame Hardy is universally loved but a more upright super thorny bush is not quite going to work there. Devoniensis and Out of Yesteryear both have lackluster reviews in the southeast area.