Past-tense.
We grew it for 4-5 years.

It mildewed here, unless sprayed regularly, and had some significant rust problems.
Its worst problem, however, was proliferation, with which it was afflicted to a remarkable degree.

Not only did my own plant produce huge, gross, green steeples, but I have seen a field of hundreds of it in 5-G cans, at Otto & Sons Nursery, and almost every bloom grossly proliferated.
(He had 'em because, for a few years there, J&P was selling FF as 'The Squire.')

It is also a fairly large, arching plant, LIBERALLY covered with nasty little prickles.
I would recommend 'Prospero' over FF, head and shoulder.
The fragrance, bloom color, and bloom form are almost identical, tho Prospero is a smaller, more upright (more disease-resistant) plant with a smaller bloom.
It is a far more generous bloomer, if not deadheaded hard.

Jeri

Thanks Jeri,

I already have Prospero and love it. I will pass on FF.

Diane

I thought you might already have it. :-)

Jeri

Jeri, was it a mistake J&P made selling FF as The Squire? Or are they actually one in the same?

Allison

They are not the same:

The Squire 1977* DR Â (AUSquire) medium, very full, 8.4

Fisherman's Friend 1987* DR Â (AUSchild) medium, very full, 7.8

Fisherman's Friend is 10 years older than The Squire... however ARS rates the Squire much higher...

And from my personal experience, I'd agree with rating the Squire more highly.
It's a more awkward plant, but has better disease-resistance,and a better bloom.
The Squire can be a terrific exhibition rose.
FF actually can, if the plant and the blooms behave. (We won Most Fragrant with it at a long-ago National Convention.)

But in a home garden, to be honest, I wouldn't keep either of 'em, and I no longer do.

Jeri

I have trouble with it even without fog. I even tried two differet plants in two spots. Both times it sent out a couple of ugly canes and that was it. It must be doing well for someone somewhere.

It did actually grow fairly well here for a few years, but I got to where I couldn't stand looking at those deformed blooms, so it had to go.

Jeri

L. D. Braithwaite was confused with Fisherman's Friend in U.S. commerce at some point-- I forget which way it went.

FF is terribly susceptible to blackspot in the East. I don't know if there might be climate where it is a good rose, but surely not in the UK or most of the US.

I thought Fisherman's Friend (Lover's Delight) was the most beautiful rose in my garden until I stopped spraying. It is a black spot magnet.

I do intend to look up Prospero for the color. I don't have another rose with such an intense dark color. To me it is much like Maggie only a deeper more intense color.

Sammy

One key with Prospero is that you don't want to deadhead it conventionally.
If you just "bend and snap" faded blooms, it really pushes more growth and more bloom, more quickly.

Jeri

THanks, Michael and Jeri.
I only want roses that I am pretty sure won't be diseased. Year after year I am tossing roses that might be ok for some people, but look awful and are declining here.

I really think I won't try an Austin unless many people have success with it. Cottage Rose is a wonder, Heritage is ok, and so is Lilian. The others have not been good for me.
Sammy

Sammy, only a few Austins have been TRULY successful here.
Part of it is, I THINK, that Mr. Austin has bred roses that do very well where he grows them.
Let's face it, few of us have climates and conditions which match his -- and so the roses respond differently.
And sometimes, unsuccessfully.

Jeri