I bought both LD Braithwaite and Tradescant. My LD didn't make it, but before it croaked, it did not have crimson blooms, they were more dark pink/purple. It could have been mislabeled.

Tradescant has intense crimson blooms, good fragrance, and so far blooms regularly.

Falstaff also has nice crimson to purple blooms, they are small but uniquely flat and quartered.

Buford, I was actually wondering about all three. David Austin said the LDB was good for garden impact. Can you tell me anymore about Tradescant and Falstaff?

Karen

LDB is always a bright true red, like Olympiad. Some producer was selling Fisherman's Friend labeled as LDB. Incidentally, LDB is not fragrant (to me anyway).

I got my Tradescant from Austin, it's grafted. So far it has done very well. Here is a picture (note, I have a problem getting true reds and purples with my camera)

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I would say it is very true to it's appearance on the DA website.

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So far it hasn't shown to be that susceptible to black spot. Although I do spray, I did have an outbreak this year due to no rain for weeks (so I didn't spray) then lots of rain. Tradescant did not show any BS during this time.

Falstaff appears that it will be smaller so far, but is a nice bush who'd blooms do stand out. I would say it's more purple than Tradescant, at least in my yard.

Both have wonderful fragrance.

I am going to try LD Braithwaite again, from Austin. The one I had this year was from Chamblees and was very small. I prefer the larger bareroots from David Austin (Tyler Texas).

The "Ingenious Mr. Fairchild" has flowers that are borne on slender stems. Thus, when it is full of flowers, the shrub has a nodding effect. The blooms resemble pink peonies. Often-times, they fail to open completely. Blooms last for a couple days or less if the sun is scorching. Great looking in a pot.

The "Brother Cadfael" has more of an upright growth. The plant has a tendency to put out long upright canes above the rest of the shrub. Not very pretty to look at. The flowers are many-petalled, although in 9a, they scorch easily and turn quickly from pink to ugly beige in a matter of hours under the hot sun. The blooms also have a tendency not to open completely before shriveling off the stems. Rather disappointing rose in my opinion and not David Austin's best.

I suspect that both roses would do better in more temperate climates. For my own climate (9a), I have found that Fair Bianca, Sharifa Asma, Crown Princess Margareta, Carding Mill, Queen of Sweden, and Tamora to be the best performers. I also have Graham Thomas, Molineux, Charlotte, Dark Lady, and Ambridge Rose. However, the judge is still out on those.

Jeff

michaelg, I just looked at Fishermans Friend on HMF and that is what my 'LDB' appeared to be.

Thanks.

Hi Karen,

I like LD Breathwaite. It isn't a deep red by any means. But not purple for me either. Somewhere in between. Tradescant did horribly here. It may have just been the plant, but it stayed small, blackspotted, looked horrible. Out it went.

Barbara Austin has a great first flush of blooms. After that it is pretty much all leaves for the rest of the season unless I prune it back by 1/3 or so. Then I usually get a decent rebloom. It has very thin delicate stems. If you are growing it for the scent then go for it. If you are wanting one that pumps out the flowers all summer, I would pass.

I have Brother Cadfael. Big fat cabbage type blooms. Pretty plum colored new growth. It hasnt bloomed a ton for me this year but in it's defense I have been neglecting the bed it is planted in and it has been watered maybe once this summer.

Lillian Austin is very pretty here. Prettier than pictures I have seen.

Out of your list of plants to purchase I think the only other one I have is Crocus rose. I think (forgot what I planted and it has no tag). If it is crocus rose it is pretty and blooms well.

Any other questions feel free to shoot them my way :)

Marleah

I just got Jubilee Celebration 2 months ago, bare root, own root from J&P. It's been a really really wet hot season here for us and it shows no sign of bs at all. Growing like gangbusters too, lots of blooms and showing no sign of stopping. It's in a pot in dappled shade so I'm sure I'm not seeing it's full potential like I will next season in ground. It is growing very vertical, long tall 12" stems. Great smell too.

I forgot to mention another great rose here is The Dark Lady.

Very stunning and great for "contrast" if you are searching for one. HUGE blooms here.

Marleah

Mayflower is a reliable bloomer/rebloomer--never heavy bloomer, but almost always has some blooms. Very healthy--I don't spray it and I don't think I've ever seen BS on it. It's one drawback is that the buds sometimes need a bit of help opening. I gently rub back the outer petals to help along the reluctant openers.

As I said on another recent post, I don't love Mayflower, but I like it. An asset in the garden.

Kate

So far, I'm VERY disappointed with Grace. The flowers are pretty..the bush in its second summer is about 6-8 inches tall...rather bushy...like a mini...and the leaves are pale yellowish green..