OK. You might get by with SdlM in Agoura.
I was thinking you were really inland. In Agoura, you still have some coastal influence.

At the coast, SdlM will dependably ball. I've tried four different plants over the years, and they ALL mildewed and balled.
In Agoura, you might succeed with it.
But it wasn't terrific even in the Stagecoach Inn historic rose garden, in Newbury Park (a place you should visit, btw).

Mme. Pierre Oger, a LOVELY rose, appears to want a bit more winter than we get in much of Southern CA.
I just don't think we have the best conditions for Bourbons.

(FYI, we are located not all that far from you, really, in Camarillo.)

Jeri

Jeri, Hmmm... So now I am thinking maybe I shouldn't go for one of these. I don't want to be disappointed. What OGR rose to you grow with success? I bet it would work for me since we are so close in proximity. BTW, thanks for the tip on Stagecoach Inn historic. I hadn't heard of it.

Nadia, send me a private email, and we'll talk.
I think I can be helpful to you.

You have a greater range than I do, but yes, we'll have similarities. Moreover, I can put you in touch with people even closer to you than I am, who are very experienced.

What fun!

Jeri

I recommend listening to Jeri...

But to answer the original question: In San Clemente, about 2 blocks from the ocean, I grew both. SDLM was a big disappointment to me, it balled, it never seemed happy, I just didn't understand what all the rave reviews were about. Oger on the other hand did remarkably well. She was covered in blooms through most of the season. She grew rather skinny, and rather tall, which I think is her typical habit. She did get some mildew though, but not enough of a problem that I would have stopped growing her. I loved the blooms and the fragrance was fabulous.

Seven miles from the coast SLDM is wonderful.

I had SdlM, but never MPO. So I can't really compare. But personally, I think SdlM can take the heat. It's supposed to be half tea rose, and I believe it. On the other hand, I think it would prefer a DRY heat. While it did not ball for me, it was always lousy with blackspot.

Twenty miles from the ocean SdlM doesn't mildew or ball and it produces quite a few blooms even on my young plant but on a warm day the flowers don't last well at all and are much paler in color, even though the plant has plenty of afternoon shade. I think Hoov must have the perfect environment, not too far and not too close to the ocean. Maybe that's one reason her garden has such a wealth of bloom. For me it's a constant search for the right roses, but that's part of the challenge and one I take on willingly because it's so great when something works for me.

Ingrid

from my very limited newb experience, I've seen SdlM on several occasions at Huntington and Descanso gardens, both about 20-something miles-ish, I think from the ocean...? but I'm sure it varies based on where you are.

goodluck

The Huntington, and Descanso, are different from each other and in general different from Nadia's location.

Descanso in particular is an interesting case.
Because it is in the foothills, at the lower end of the Angeles Crest, it is the recipient of some winter chill that most of SoCal does not get.
(Cold air flows downhill, like water.)
So, at Descanso, you can see a display of Gallicas and the like that most of Southern CA cannot offer.
But they do funny things, too. I've photographed Rosa Mundi, blooming there in January.

The Huntington is at the top of the San Gabriel Valley.
Aside from the air pollution, the air is drier there, and a LOT hotter than areas nearer the coast.
I grew up there, and I don't remember ever seeing either powdery mildew or rust.

Jeri