I know of a Sir Thomas Lipton in Knoxville that has been happy in a garden for decades. (Probably seven or so, given the age of the house and the other Van Fleet roses with it.)

It gets at most half day sun, in a walled garden, with soil that isn't pampered at all (and hasn't been for (again) decades.

From my experiences with rugosas, drainage is maybe the most important thing. More drainage= better.

I don't think the heat is as big a bother for some. (R. rugosa alba and rubra.) The biggest rugosas in these parts are massive, in the sun, growing in muddy sand, on/in the bend of a major creek so that the roots can absorb as much water as they want to of the hundreds of gallons that go through each day. (Big as in ten feet tall and six feet wide.)

Thanks, Ann! I'd prefer to put him in all day sun, but was afraid he would burn up down here. Sounds like he might do okay as long as I give him good draining soil.

Mine is in full sun, but it isn't as hot and he does get winter here. (I'm closer to Nashville conditions). Yes, lot of water and good drainage and never ever spray rugosas with anything.

Normally, I wouldn't answer a query from an area so different from mine -- but I have one thing to say about Sir Thomas Lipton that is, I think, applicable.

He grew in the A.C. Postel Rose Garden, in Santa Barbara. There, I thought his besetting sin was that he did not drop his faded petals -- but rather hung onto them, so looked like he was draped with rotted Kleenex.

If he does that in your climate, you'll just want to be religious about deadheading.

Jeri

Here is a little story about Sir Thomas. I got him in a one gallon pot, where he languished for several years - I was in nursing school at the time and never found a spare minute to plant him. He looked half dead most of the time, but I kept him watered and he never died. After I graduated, I had time to garden so planted him behind a Russell's Cottage Rose. He is now taller than I am and quite a bit wider and blooms lots. I have him in a spot that gets all day sun until about 2pm, then my horse barn shades him. He is on an incline, so the soil drains well. I was watering him the other evening and did notice I needed to deadhead - but several others are like this also. Perfectly healthy leaves, dark green. Makes a lovely shrub. While watering him, I was thinking what a miracle he survived, and remembered what a pitiful little thing he was in his pot, and how he just took off, grew and thrived the minute I planted him. I think you will be very pleased with this rose. Just remember not to spray fungicide on him - rugosas don't like it.
Judith

Here's an photo of mine, but he's now twice this size. I have never noticed him hanging onto petals, tho I'm not sure I would recognize a faded white. And I am always grateful for any petal that hangs around (balling Souperts not included).

Thanks for the advice everyone! Love your story Judith and your beautiful picture Catrose (and that cat statue!). IâÂÂve potted him up to a 5 gallon until I decide the best spot for himâ¦seems like heâÂÂs going to be a big, thorny one, so want to get siting right the first time.