We are from very different zones and climates, yet I agree with your assessment of Westerland.

I always wanted it to be a better rose than it really is.

Of course, here it dies back completely to the mulch line over the winter, except for the mildest of winters. It puts on a so-so first flush and is extremely slow and stingy with rebloom. Many of the Austins, which are not perfect zone 5 roses, perform better.

It truly has an eye-catching bloom -- everyone notices it and they think it's pretty -- and it has a lovely fragrance. It was also reasonably disease resistent. With disappointment, it met the enforcer (the shovel) this spring and was unceremoniously replaced with another rose. :-)

I'm sure it must work well somewhere on the planet. You could probably offer it up on the "Propagation and Exchange" forum, if you're so inclined.

Sorry it's not working out for you either.

Wow - I love my Westerland - it's only its second season for me but it's been popping out huge amounts of bloom even after major tip dieback after our traumatic late spring freeze. I've seen at least three flushes since then. It never seems to be without bloom. I love the upright growth habit so I can underplant with perennials. It is up against a board fence so it is supported and can hang over with only our field on the other side, so no concern there with fussy neighbors. And when I walk out in the early morning, it's Westerland's scent that wafts out from that border, delicate and fruity rose - the morning air carries it a great distance.

That being said, I don't know if Westerland is a bit stingier with its blooms in such a climate as yours in SoCal . The strongest objection to it that I usually hear is its color - that orange-salmon-pink etc. that many gardeners find difficult to incorporate into their garden scheme. I decided to get Autumn Sunset - a sport of Westerland - which is softer in color. Anyway -I find Westerland intriguing and delicious - just right for my orange and purple garden. In fact it is the best rose in that garden for me. I have Pat Austin which I loved in the spring but now is just a bunch of sticks. Blah. Livin' Easy died, and just as well. It was stiff and boring. Well, suffice it to say that Westerland is a winner in my books, although the JBs are having their way with it right now. Even so it produces so many blooms that seem to open in the morning and close at night so that the JBs can't get them all.

Don't give up on it - it's too healthy, prolific, and fragrant, but others in your area should be of more service to you.

Westerland is forming new buds now after an amazing spring flush which is still underway . It had no dieback here this winter. Everyone loves the salmon/yellow blend. I am interested if it can continue blooming throughout the summer.

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It may very well be where I have sited my Westerland, but I've found it is slower to rebloom (although it does) than it's sport, Autumn Sunset. I have A.S. in a different part of the garden and it has two more flushes of bloom a season than A.S., which reblooms about twice. Harryshoe - beautiful picture of Westerland! It truly is a beautiful rose, and seems to love to be paired with blue flowers.

Mine dies back to the soil every winter and blooms later than most HT's and shrubs. The first flush is great followed by a period of sparse blooming (but there is almost always one or two on the bush.) Another nice flush in fall. So basically it behaves about like you describe. That's really pretty good performance for this area of the country but by SoCal standards I know it's pitiful;~)

Faced with your dilemma, I might experiment with some serious fertilizing. Double what you usually apply. What do you have to lose? It will either bloom more or not. If it burns no loss.

Harryshoe I love your pic, Betty Corning looks wonderful with Westerland. Hmmm, I have a Harlow Carr in the pot ghetto - sounds like a good pairing.

I just ran out and took these photos. It's a bit too sunny to get good color but you can get the idea. Ignore the date stamp, I still can't figure out my camera (it's obviously not January!)

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Does it seem to like full, hot sun or more shade? I have one in a pot I need to plant, since it sounds so particular, I would like to put it in just the right spot. I am in east Texas.