Princess Alexandra of Kent--shorter, pink, very full bloom, and supposedly good on disease-resistance (although I don't know that we have many reports in yet on this newer Austin.

Another gorgeous one I'd plant if I had any room left is Boscobel--salmon pink, shorter, wonderful blooms, good disease-resistance. Perhaps a bit more upright than the Princess (above).

Or if you want an eye-popper, try Munstead Wood, my current favorite Austin. Gorgeous magenta/purple/burgundy, shorter, disease-resistant. This one will provide drama.

Hope that helps.

Kate

Tamora is really good for someone in 5b or 5a--he often posts photos--now who was that? harryshoe.

This post was edited by hoovb on Wed, May 28, 14 at 15:40

I grow Tamora and it's fairly disease resistant. It's a beautiful rose, small in my climate (2 feet). The first year it was full of blooms. The 2nd year a bit less.

However, it's myrrh scented. You either like or not.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Tamora may work well.

Btw, I love your suggestions dublinbay, but I think those roses are bigger than I'm looking for

The roses I suggested are all in the 3x2 or 3x3 range. I think that would be workable. I have never seen a Tamora, so can't say anything about it one way or another--except a number of posters on this forum have praised it. I'm not sure it is as disease-resistant as David Austin's newer selections that I mentioned, but evidently it will be quite beautiful in your garden if that is the direction you want to go.

Let us see some pics when your Austins start blooming. : )

Kate

My Tamora has been disease resistant and floriferous in Portland. I have a zero spray garden. (I almost broke down and used sulfur on an annoying, deep red floribunda last year but decided to tough it out.) I am zone 7/8ish. Tamora is about 3.5 feet tall with light pruning. I'll post some pics if I can get to my regular computer later today. Tamora is one of my most photogenic Austins. I've tried a number of Austins and have kept only a few. Tamora is planted smack in front of my house. From me, that's high praise. :-) Oh, her fragrance is strong and delicious. She has seductively converted unsuspecting neighbors to rose gardeners. Carol

This post was edited by PortlandMysteryRose on Wed, May 28, 14 at 18:01

If this decision was going to be based on scent alone, then Lady Emma Hamilton (IMO) would win hands down- it's intoxicating!

Tamora is the healthiest of my 3 Austins (no spray), and though she's younger than 2 years old with less than a year in the ground, she has stayed under 2 ft so far for me. Still very young, but I love the blooms and the scent is heavenly! I don't have Princess Alexandra of Kent, but I've almost ordered her like a million times because of the supposed small size and darker pink color. I don't have much space in my tiny yard for rose giants! Lucky you with your brand new garden space! Post pics once you've decided and planted.

You're right, dublinbay. I've heard in my zone that Tamora often dies to the ground each year so I'm hoping she'll stay around 2 feet. PAoK is totally on my list--once I find a place to squeeze her in.

Tamora photos.

Tamora.

Tamora.

Tamora opening.

So gorgeous! And I placed the order--can't wait for her to arrive...

I have had Tamora and it just doesn't bloom enough for me. The smell is unusual, like licorice. Had her next to Sharifa Asma and she only bloomed twice per season. Need a little more than that and I'm near Salem, OR. ??? Haven't grown Lady Hamilton.

BIG Lady Hamilton fan here. Not for everyone though, a lot of color. The buds I find even prettier than the flower. Plus, as a life long sailor and history buff, -it was a rose I simply had to have!