Tradescant survives in zone 5a.

I called the David Austin nursery in Tyler, Tx and asked which dark rose would do well in my zone. I was told the only one to consider is Lady of Megginch.

I would love to get Munstead Wood, Trandescant or WS 2000 but was scared off by this info.

View1ny - I grow Munstead Wood and WS 2000 and both make it through my zone 5 winters beautifully, so you should be fine with them. These two gorgeous Austins are some of my favorites! They should do great in your zone 6.

My William Shakespeare 2000 did not make it through the first winter. It was own root. I am glad to hear about Lady of Megginch as it is on my list for next year. What about Falstaff?

karen, thanks so much for this info. I'll put Munstead Wood on my list for next year. I've run out of room in my small garden, so will have to put it in a container on my deck. I hope that'll be ok.

Predfern, I have WS2000 and have buried the entire plant to get it through the winter. I was contemplating doing less for it this winter but, now I'm concerned. Did you give yours any winter protection?
Thanks,
Kitty

I do not spray or winter protect my roses.

God Almighty, Munstead Wood is GORGEOUS! Never heard of it before now, either. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Munstead Wood is gorgeous indeed. If zone 4 folks bury the graft about 4" deep and if they don't get a good snow cover, mound about 10" of wood mulch on the crown, it should get through the winter just fine. Here in zone 5, Munstead Wood was green to the tips this spring.

Thank you, Karen. I'll try that with my other roses that I've been burying and give Munstead Wood a try next spring. I wish I didn't have to wait that long.

Do Munstead Wood and WS2000 rebloom the same or, is one more floriferous? Also, can you tell me about the shapes of the two? My Ws2000 is a bit odd in shape. Maybe I should have pruned it more this spring.
Thanks for your help,
Kitty

Kitty, both Munstead Wood and Shakespeare rebloom on pretty much the same schedule. Both have been good rebloomers for me - they had a major flush the first week in July and are busy making buds again now. Munstead Wood has stayed a nice 3 l/2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. William Shakespeare wants to reach out sideways and since that's how he seems to be happiest and bloom the best, I let him. He sprawled out over the 'Royal Candles' Veronica and it ended up being just fine - a nice combo. Maybe Willie knows more about how he should be growing than I do!
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Karen, Your Ws looks much healthier than mine and, it does look really pretty with the companion plants you've chosen. I've come to the conclusion that my WS needs to be moved. It was healthy and floriferous the 1st year I had it. Then I moved it to a new location and it has suffered since. Hopefully, when I move it again, it will look as pretty as yours.
Thank you,
Kitty

Good luck with the move, Kitty. WS is such a beautiful rose that it is worth the effort of a move. Often the Austins take a few years to settle in. Some of mine have been quite impressive the first year (when it's still leafing and blooming off the big healthy canes that came from the grower) and then struggle a bit after their first winter here in zone 4 or 5, and then slowly rebound as they build a strong root system, including new feeder roots on that 3-4" section below soil level between the graft and the soil surface. I often see this transition with my roses so I always give them 3-4 years to reach their peak.

Oh, Karen, I'm glad you told me this. This is only it's 2nd summer in this spot. I should probably give it some more time. I'd like it to get about 4 feet wide do you think that's possible in my zone or, do you think I should put in a couple more? Also,how tall is yours? The height isn't quite as important to me as the width because it's in a low garden area by my front walk. One more question, I really like your companion plants and am wondering if you used the same ones with your Munstead Wood or something else. My gardens still have a long way to go.
Thank you for all your help,
Kitty

Kitty, my William Shakespeares like to spread rather than grow too tall, so they are nice in the middle or even front of a bed. Mine rarely get more than 3' tall but will spread 4 feet or more.

Because my Munstead wood is on the corner of a brick walk, there isn't a lot of room there for companion plants, although I do have some Johnny Jump Ups 'jump up' there every year, and I often tuck in some portulaca (Moss Roses).
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That's very pretty, Karen. Thank you for all the info. and Pic.s
Kitty