I used to have The Alnwick Rose. I've attempted growing this rose twice and in conclusion, there are three things that I don't like about it: 1) Most of the time, the scent is not always present. A huge let down. 2) the flower form is small and the petals scatter quickly. 3) I don't like the colour - it fades quickly to a glistering white/ pale pink colour. The only good thing about this rose is that it repeats quite fast.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate the info on own-root roses also. I really like that idea. I'd read something about them quite a while ago that led me to believe they were somehow less hardy, so I've never tried them. Lot's of confusing info out there. Greenhaven, I'm in S Mich, close to where the MI, OH, & IN borders meet. I think that's 5a. Which Austins do well for you there in 4b-5a? My first ever rose (and still my favorite) is Abe Darby. It's one that I ordered and was hoping would do well here. It was a small climber for me in Kansas City. Lillian Austin, Tamora, Graham Thomas and Pat Austin did best for me. I had the worst time with Winchester Cathedral. I never could figure out what went wrong there. I've decided to cancel my order, so I remain roseless for another year. It's a little disheartening. Anyone have experience with English roses in this zone? Are there some that might do better in Mich winters? ....or some that I might want to avoid? Seems tricky relying on catalog descriptions sometimes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Researching them will help ease my suffering until next spring. Thanks for your time and wisdom.

Ahhh! Soaking the rose sounds like a good idea. You should check out the "needs a home" shelf at your local Lowes. You can find a lot of good plants there for super cheap. I picked up two reblooming azaleas for 6.25 a piece last weekend. This is a good time to find stuff because the plants get bit back a little with the cold weather. Still good, but not pretty enough for the normal price. I probably shouldn't point you in the direction of the rose forum and the antique rose forum, but they can fan your excitement into a complete obsession! Ask me how I know. :) Look into own root roses and antique roses. The roses we all think of as "roses" can struggle here in OK. The link I attached below is for Chamblee Roses. They are in Tyler, TX, so they have similar weather conditions to us. I have some great roses that came from there. OHHHH, you and your wife ought to take a stroll through Will Rogers Park in a month. They have a gorgeous rose garden, plus irises and peonies. (Archduke Charles rose) Here is a link that might be useful: Chamblee Roses

if interested i have multiflora var carnea. its believed to be a parent of seven sisters. i could have a rooted start for you by late summer. also looking at your wanted list, ill also will have holly hock seeds to. here is a picture of the multiflora var carnea last year alittle after full bloom. i can send you a picture of it in a week or two when its in full bloom. if you'd like. Travis