Hi Kate, is your question about vase life, or duration of a flush, or what? Neither of these blows and shatters particularly fast. Earth Song especially is in bloom more than most roses, and the color is great. It makes a spectacular display. Quietness has the finer flower.

These are both wonderful, reliable roses, and you should try both if you can. There's probably not much West Coast experience with Buck roses, so I don't know if anyone can tell you whether they get rust. I can tell you that Earth Song mildews a little here, while Quietness hasn't so far. Earth Song has the stronger blackspot resistance, but Quietness is above average. Both are relatively resistant to botrytis petal blight and balling, which I'm guessing is a big issue in your climate, as it is here.

Hey Michael.

Thanks for all the good information. You answered my question which was in regard to how quickly they shatter on the bush itself. I rarely cut flowers preferring to enjoy them in the garden.

I'm really leaning towards Earth Song at the moment. The last two years we have had considerably more moisture in the spring leaving me with an atypical amount of blackspot.

Appreciate your time.

Kate

OK, Earth Song does last well on the bush, longer than Quietness I think. ES blooms age from a sexy purply-pink to rose pink. My plant is currently carrying around a hundred big (to 5") flowers.

Yes, Earth Song is very floriferous and disease-resistant, and while I really like it, there are days when it is too much of an attention-grabber--that rich pink just seems a bit too much--in fact, the blooming bush sometimes almost looks like an artificial bush to me--too many blooms, too perfect, too pink.

I sometimes wish I had planted a quieter rose--like Quietness which appears exquisite in all the pics I have seen.

Another perspective.

Kate

Kansas Kate, I once posted that the only thing wrong with Earth Song was that it bloomed too much, but I was joking :)

Know what you mean, though. I've caught myself thinking, "Will you just stop for a minute?"

Thanks folks. I think that is entertaining about Earth Song and how prolific it is. I mean, how annoying:) I do hear what you're saying about the color, that Quietness is probably more refined. I'm going to start with ES though and if it is nice and hardy for me I'll get Quietness next year. Or maybe I'll get them both now. I've noticed that once I start chatting with Pat Henry on the phone my will power evaporates..,

Kate

Get them both now. What if RU goes out of business and Quietness is no longer available? They will be hardy, I promise.

Earthsong is not very BS resistant here in the Southeast. But Quietness is one of my cleanest roses. Both are beautiful.I prefer the bloom on Quietness and the color.

Oh Michael good point. I hope you teasing me though about RU. I have been away from the forum for quite a while so am not up on how things are with my favorite nurseries. I do think I could find room for both.

Thanks Collin for your feedback on both of these. They both seem to be such neat roses I'm not sure how a person could choose between them.

Kate

And remember I promised you a "Vic's Refrain" also. I should have some ready later this summer if all goes well. With having to move most of my roses when we moved last summer I had no time for any cuttings, but have everything setup now to start once again.

Vic's Refrain (sport of Earth Song)
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If that works out Mike I would truly love it. Appreciate you following up with me. Thank you.

Kate

Mike, I hope that rose can get into commerce somehow. What are the prospects?

MICEALG,

Do you think Earth Song would be cane hardy in our climate?

Jim, it is tip-hardy to zero, but that's all I know about.

MichaelG,

Our coldest day this past winter was 4 degrees. As long as Earthsong would have about 12" or more of good cane left, i'd be happy.

Hmmm, I guess it is going to have to be Earth Song. It is hardy to zone 4 (according to helpmefind.com). Unfortunately, Quietness is hardy only to Zone 6.

I do love the name "Earth Song."

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Earth Song at helpmefind.com

Oops--Kate, you are in Zone 7, aren't you. So either rose would work for you. Don't know why I was thinking you were in Zone 5.

Actually, you will have to get both--because Roses Unlimited requires a minimum order of 2 roses.

There, now we have solved the problem!

Kate

I just bought one single rose from RU, but, the shipping was higher. It came in a single box made for 1 rose.

That is okay Kate. You probably thought that because of the absurdly cold weather we had this last year. It felt much cooler than Zone 7 when it started hovering just above zero degrees:)

I have ordered from RU before but I look forward to giving them more business. Pat is always so great. Right now I am getting a replacement Crown Princess Margareta, Tradescant, Earth Song, probably Quietness and I think that is all. Don't hold me to that though, anything could happen once you start a rose order.

Kate

Quietness was raised in zone 4 Iowa and is grown in zone 4 NH by our Celeste. 6b is a default rating by HelpMeFind, meaning they don't know how hardy the rose is.

Yeah, Quietness is just as winter hardy as Earth Song. As much as I love HMFR, their zone hardiness rankings are ultra conservative.

michaelg - Maybe next year. I lost a year with the move last year, and I have had a few interested in placing it in commmerce. I am still pulling roses from the old house, which I kept and rented out, so there has not been a lot of time for fun stuff.