I'd vote for Abraham Darby for vigor, bloom form, fragrance, repeat, and color. It's the only rose I have 2 of on purpose. No negatives in my garden. I've heard Heritage blooms don't last very long until shattering.

Randy, I'll let you sing the praises of Heritage ;)

Eric

Thought a visual aid would be nice for Abe too:
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Eric

How could you ever choose between the two? Abraham Darby is gorgeous - very very full and a wonderful fragrance. Heritage is not as full and doesn't hold well in a vase - shatters after a few days. But it is almost always in bloom, has a beautiful fragrance and form, and is extremely hardy. I couldn't garden without both of them!

Heritage cluster{{gwi:284221}}

Go for both those babies. You can always find more room. Judy

I have 3 Heritages. The fragrance is wonderful, but the blooms shatter quickly and easily.

That's really hard to say, but since Heritage is in the front yard in full view and AD is in the back I'd have to say heritage is my fav.

You guys aren't making this decision any easier. :) I appreciate the help though. I know it's a matter of taste, but which do you think has a better fragrance?

I my garden the blooms on Abe don't last very much longer than those of Heritage. Both are beautiful.
I have to say I think I prefer Heritage. There is just something about the soft pink blooms that aren't quite as full as Abe. I love it.
Abe smells fab, but for me, the blooms tend to droop more than Heritage so they are harder to admire.
Such a hard decision. Two such beautiful roses. I think you may have to get both!!! LOL.

Heritage died when it was a baby. Abraham Darby is OK but doesn't bloom much. Get Evelyn instead.

It just so happens these are the only 2 Austins I currently have planted (2 different Austins on order for this fall). Heritage does shatter quicker than Abe, but I would hate to have to decide which one I like better. Right now Heritage is in bloom and never looked more beautiful.

And the fragrance of each of them is delicious!

My Abe is still one foot tall, but it has already produced about ten gorgeous flowers. I wish it would stop blooming for while and grow a bit. :)

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Karima

1. Heritage is a continuous bloomer, Abe takes a rest in mid season.
2. They are equally fragrant, but their fragrance are different
3. Heritage's flowers last 2 days at the most, Abe's twice as long.
4. Flower forms are different - it's a matter of taste. Abe's are much bigger (the largest I have ever measured was 6 1/2 inches across), but Heritage bears large clusters. Abe's flowers are more informal, with slightly wavy petals, Heritage flowrs are uniformly cup shaped, neatly arranged.
5. I have the two side by side, and Heritage does not get black spot in our garden, whereas Abe does - there is about a 50% foliage afflicted at the peak of the black spot season.
6. Both are vigorous growers - they reach up to 6 feet, and likel will get taller without pruning. Heritage is a narrower bush than Abe, which tends to sprawl more.
7. Heritage holds it's blooms upright (it's one of the few DA's that do not have flowers that bow!), whereas Abe's flowers do droop (I think because the flowers are so big and heavy).
8. Heritage has relatively few thorns, whereas Abe has quite fearsome thorns. They are hook shaped - all the better to grab your skin!
9. Abe has great hips (not the human kind).

In conclusion, there is no choice between the two - you need both. And why not?

I thought Olga has the best picture of a big bush of Abe?