Jeri,
Here in N.H. it repeats well over my short summers.... but we are only talking from the 3rd week of June to mid Sept. for a blooming season for roses here, not a long time. I consider this rose one of my more prolific bloomers. Rebloom is very good on it. In fact, all of the Morden roses do extremely well here. I would be interested to hear from folks in warmer climates, though, since my information is probably little help to you.

Celeste

Jeri,

Hmmm, I was surprised to read your comment about the HMF entry's "occasional repeat" notation.

To grab a respite from southern summers, I sometimes rent a ski cabin near Killington, VT where a dozen or more MBs grow as part of a foundation planting. I've rented the place at various times between late June & mid-Sept. The bushes have never NOT been in bloom -- & fairly heavy bloom at that. Perhaps bloom production slows under warmer growing conditions, but I've never heard that. What I have heard, however, is that the bush grows to an impressive height (& width) in the South -- which is why I've never planted it. The ones at the cabin have a tidy, compact growth habit.

It's really a lovely rose, & very effective planted en masse. Some fragrance, but not enough for that to be a reason to recommend it.

"Repeats occasionally later in the season" seems to be a default setting at HMF for shrub roses. If you post a correction they will respond to it.

Mine sulks quite a bit during the heat and humidity at summer's peak. But still blooms very well during the cooler months on both ends of summer. I would agree HMF should be updated to reflect that it is a more remontant bloomer.

Kathy in soggy Virginia

OK!
I thought that might just be the default.

This isn't for me, but for someone in a Z6 area, who wants a rose to plant for a lost love.
Apparently, he rather wanted Duchesse de Brabant, but can it take Z6?
If not, apparently an OGR is preferred, and remontancy is desirable.
I'm completely out of my depth in Z6 (I think this is Kansas City).

Any suggestions?

Jeri

My season is too short and occasional repeat (1 or 2 blooms) works here.

I too am soggy in VA with a somewhat sulky MB. She does try to bloom constantly, but I don't think she likes the humidity. I do love her. She's not the most gorgeous rose, certainly not the most fragrant, but she's pretty, simple, honest, sweet. The sort of girl you hope your son marries.

Awwwww . . .

JEri

Spring flush is the best and shows it off with a real blush to it the summer blooms are almost cramy whit with little blush for me and the fall the blush returns. Tough rose gives me very little trouble.

Jeri,

I purchased a Duchesse de Brabant in spring of 2008 in a one gallon pot from RU. I potted it up to a two gallon pot and by early fall, I thought she was ready to go in the ground. While we had an unusually long winter, with some extended periods of extremely cold weather, Duchesse de Brabant died completely to the ground and has yet to show any signs of life (even though I beg her to break "dormancy" nearly every day).

Catsrose, your description is perfect. MB's spring flush is so beautiful (mainly because it is the first rose to give a good flush), you stick your nose in the blossoms expecting fragrance to be en par with the form and substance of the bloom, but my nose detects absolutely no fragrance whatsoever. sigh.

Kathy

Jeri, I think when a rose novice plants a memorial rose, it ought to be something bulletproof and permanent, say 'Königen von Danemark.' Once-blooming goes well with memory: "When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd."

Michael, I agree -- but since this is a friend of a friend, that's not easy to convey.
OTOH, 'Königen von Danemark' is an exceptional rose, and that's something to consider.
So is something like Crested Moss, which I personally think is one of the all-time beauties.

But what about 'Comte de Chambord'??? Or 'Jacques Cartier'(?'Marchesa Boccella'?)???

Those all look to be hardy down to maybe Z4?

Or, what about 'Madame Boll'???

Jeri

You have to consider blackspot in Missouri. 'Marchesa Boccella' might be good in the Midwest without spray-- you could ask.