Very interesting post---Isn't it amazing what some of us will go through just to smell a beautiful rose-- Stephanotis-----you description was amazing--- It also amazes me that wiht all the problems with Zeffy she still shows up in the catalogs----since 1868----- I've seen some gorgeous pictures of Zeffy----- I have several but the one that does the best is on the Northwest corner and she is growing in a spot that my DH used to propagate Azaleas and Yews so the soil is fantastic----- She just seems to be very happy there---at the base her "trunk" is huge------ She has survived through much neglect (on my part) due to surgery etc. but I do love her and I think she knows it-----My DH gave me the name Zeffyrose because he heard me talking to her---LOL LOL Fo all you newbies----in case you haven't seen this picture---my DH calls this one "find Flo" Florence

I have a 1st year Zephirine. I've had about 2 dozen blooms this year and it has been a very vigorous grower, although it is still in the process of growing. Climbers like Zephirine need time to establish a large root network in order to throw out thick basal canes that have more length in them. I would just fertilize zephirine to try to cut back on mildew problems and let the rose grow as is for now. I cut out all my initial canes that were on it when I bought it down to the original basal canes a few weeks back after some new basal canes emerged. Doing so broke a few more basals, but the new basal breaks will emerge from the center and go straight up....mine are at about 5' right now. It's hard saying how far these new basal canes will grow up to, but I wouldn't prune much of anything this year considering if new basal canes do break and start growing, they will need time to slowly grow up and may just end up having winter die back or the tender new growth might get damaged once the cold comes in the fall if the canes havn't finished growing yet. It's hard to do, but for the climbers I think it is best to think about how much they are growing underneath the ground as opposed to above it in order to get great results out of them in proceeding years.

I planted it last spring. It's doing quite well. I have it on the NW corner of my yard, hoping it will climb up my deck. It did get mildew, even though I spray my roses. It's also a blackspot magnet, but you probably don' thave to worry about that. I'm not sure about the chill. ZD did lose some canes to winter this year, even though we had a fairly mild winter. But it was it's first year. I would have had a nice spring flush, but the easter freeze zapped most of it. It has bloomed sporadically since. But right now, I'm concentrating on getting it tall and not putting it horizontal enough to maximize bloom. Hopefully next year.

I feel your pain, Rehka! Houston is a challenging rose climate. Hot and humid punctuated by surprise attacks of hail, Blue Northerns, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes! I grew up in Dallas but visited Houston off and on...(dramatic music)...in the summer. I also feel your husband's pain: Asian jasmine and trumpet vine in TX. A patch of neglected Asian jasmine once ripped off the bathroom window screen at my sister's house in Dallas! I think the hardy jasmine you mentioned might be Trachelospermum jasminoides, star jasmine? If so, I applaud you 100%! That's a great go-to fragrant vine for much of TX. I sent my mom a rooted cutting of Zeph for her Dallas garden, and it grew well there. I think Mom's rose lost about 50%-60% of its leaves during the hottest part of the year, but Zeph was pretty darn healthy (no spray except Safer fungicide) and grew fresh leaves when the temps cooled. Mom planted her Zeph in half day sun and grew a vine through the canes. Zeph rests for a longer summer stretch without blooming in TX, and your climate is getting hotter, so I agree that selecting a cultivar with more continuous bloom and foliage cover might be a wise choice for your preferences.. With training, Blush Noisette makes a charming, continuously blooming climber up to about 8' or so. It works well on an arch when 2 are planted, one on each side. The fragrance positively WAFTS in the evening. Humidity contributes to wafting so maybe BN is worth considering for Houston? For a large pergola, I'd plant a BN on one side and a yellow or white Lady Banks on the other. I'd train the Lady Banks up one side and across the top for a magnificent spring show with BN to carry on later in the season. Antique Rose Emporium sells both, but sometimes you have to jump in at the starting gate of restocking. They're popular! I'd call ARE and ask about blackspot tendencies in your area, and check on BN's resistance as well as inquiring about other Noisette possibilities. I'm a big fan of the fragrant, glorious Noisettes but only grow BN and MAC here in Portland. I've never grown Renae but have heard great things about it. I have a couple of baby Annie Laurie McDowells in my driveway pot nursery and am super excited about their inclusion in my garden! If you can get a ALM, and Kim Rupert gives it a thumbs up for your area and pergola, I'd absolutely hold out for her. The photos I've seen are breathtaking! Pure romance. Carol