Oh my gosh, redsox! I just went out and measured my Pink Gruss an Aachen that is pictured in this thread. It is only 3 1/2 feet tall, but it is a full EIGHT feet wide! I love its plant shape. I had not realized it had gotten that wide. It is several years old, and is unpruned. No, I did not get your email because my GardenWeb email address had not been updated. But I sent you an email this morning. The breeding of Gruss an Aachen is that of a hybrid-tea rose. But since it does not show any of the typical hybrid-tea rose characteristics, in the US it is most always listed as a floribunda, even though the floribunda class was not in existance at the time Gruss was introduced. Jon from the UK once said that Gruss is usually classed as an early hybrid-tea rose in the UK. And that is how I think of it in my mind. Ingrid, that Mrs Dudley Cross is about 10 years old and it's as big as a Buick. And tough as nails. This has been a rough year for the appearance of its blooms until now, but the plant itself is indestructible.

I don't personally have G. Nabonnand, but have heard many people on the forum say good things about it. If you're really interested, you might write a separate post and get reactions from people who actually grow it. Well, I hope Malcolm and all you Mrs. B.R. Cant lovers out there are happy. After having sworn over and over again that I would not buy another rose (and being really sincere about it), the thought of not having "the world's greatest rose" simply would not leave me alone. Over the last few days I've studied my place endlessly, searching for a large flat spot to hold this rose, and there simply was none that had any sun. This morning I had a Eureka! moment as I stood outside the house and looked down the driveway. It's very long and the terrain along it is hilly, but more than halfway down there is a flat spot where what we call the studio is located. About 20 feet away from the studio I found my spot for this rose! It just hadn't occurred to me to plant roses that far from the house but there is a water connection there and a huge rose like that would be a wonderful introduction to the roses around the house that aren't visible until you go around a curve on the driveway. Sanju, it just goes to show where there's a will there's a way. I need another rose like I need three eyes in my head but I've become convinced I have nothing quite like THIS rose in my garden. Oh gosh, how many times have I said that, and it's always been true. They are all different.... Ingrid

Mrs Dudley Cross is a must have rose for me. Rarely any blackspot in my garden on this rose, very resistant here. Grows to be a very, very big girl here in time. Contrary to popular thought (in my climate), she does not mind pruning, once established. No scent, but still worthy in the garden. If I were starting a new garden, she's the second tea I would plant, after of course, the devine Duchesse de Brabant. Since you also mentioned 'Thomas Affleck', I'll add that TA is one of the TOUGHEST roses I've ever grown. Nearly indestructable. A pleasure of a rose that likes to bloom a lot. Lots of nice hips too. Light scent. Randy

You should also look into the book Antique Roses for the South. There are many roses that where found in Louisiana and would do great for you in NO. Besides the one you already mentioned, Mclinton Tea and Maggie are both found roses from Louisiana and Maggie I think is considered a bourbon. I live in Deep South east Texas that practically borders Louisiana so I have a very similar hot and humid climate as you do. Sdlm does great for me with minimal black spot and Peggy Martin is amazing for me. I agree that teas, bourbons and noisettes will do great for you as well as some of the polyanthanyhas like Marie Daly and Marie Pavie. If all else fails you can call the Antique Rose Emporium and they can lead you in the right direction. I deal with with black spot, mold and other humid fun stuff and it's just the name of the game where we live. Most all my teas rarely black spot but if they do I don't sweat it because they grow and bloom for me regardless. Have fun choosing! And let us know what you finally do choose :).