Zephirine Drouhin - How does it do in Southern California?

16 years ago

I am thinking of planting this rose where it will get about 1/2 or 2/3's of a day's sun, in Los Angeles. Supposedly this rose does well with less sun than many others. But is it suseptible to rust and mildew? Rust is the worst problem we have here with roses - mildew is only a big problem in June when we get ocean breezes with a lot of moisture. How do people like this rose? Does it bloom well?

Thanks for any help!

Dorian

Featured Answer

jannorcal

16 years ago

I grew Zephirine Drouhin when I lived in Westchester (90045) - probably comparable to your location in WLA/Brentwood.
It was in partial shade in the afternoon, but got full sun until early afternoon.
Suffered mildly from mildew. Spring flush was only a few blooms and there was only scattered repeat thruout the season.
Was not very impressive as a climber.
Eden was much more spectacular, alas it suffered from RUST and had no fragrance.

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Comments (9)

jerijen
16 years ago
But is it suseptible to rust and mildew?

*** It is subject to mildew in Southern California.
And while I know it is good in the S.E. -- spectacular in the Lynchburg City Cemetery --
I believe it may need some winter chill to bloom well. YMMV.
The business about it being good in partial shade appears to be one of those "urban legends."

Jeri Jennings
Coastal Ventura Co., SoCalif
buford
16 years ago
I planted it last spring. It's doing quite well. I have it on the NW corner of my yard, hoping it will climb up my deck. It did get mildew, even though I spray my roses. It's also a blackspot magnet, but you probably don' thave to worry about that.

I'm not sure about the chill. ZD did lose some canes to winter this year, even though we had a fairly mild winter. But it was it's first year.

I would have had a nice spring flush, but the easter freeze zapped most of it. It has bloomed sporadically since. But right now, I'm concentrating on getting it tall and not putting it horizontal enough to maximize bloom. Hopefully next year.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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In my garden, in full sun:

On the plus side, it grews excellently, lush, rampant growth.

On the minus side, it didn't bloom. The spring flush would be 1 or 2 flowers on a 15'x10' plant.

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kittymoonbeam
16 years ago
Mine only had one modest showing in spring and I let it grow in a prime spot for 5 years. Better for me has been the lighter pink sport, but I have to spray for mildew- no rust however. No great rebloom. I think because we don't get enough cold. I like the lighter pink color and shape, and the thornless canes are great.
jerijen
16 years ago
The thing is -- for probably a whole host of reasons -- Bourbons aren't a great choice for Southern California.

In Southern California (yes, I know I sound like a broken record) the best Old Garden Roses are Tea Roses,
China Roses, and Noisette Roses, along with most of the Polyanthas, and many (tho not all) of the Hybrid Musks.

Jeri Jennings

Gold Coast Heritage Roses Group: http://www.goldcoastrose.org

NATIONAL Heritage Roses Group: http://www.heritagerosegroup.org/home.htm
st_rose
16 years ago
My ZD is planted only this spring. It has only given a few blooms. It is growing a lot of stems but when I look closely, they all seem to be blind shoots (stems without flower buds). I bought it cheap at Walmart to try out. Looks like I am ready to throw it away.
kittymoonbeam
16 years ago
I know Bourbons aren't the best for So. cal. but I can't live without them!!! Any roses I get are like heaven to me! Some years are better than others

Noisettes and polyanthas excell here as jerijen said
dorianls
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone for the many helpful responses. I think I am able to conclude that it may not be the best rose for this area. The scantiness of bloom seems to be the common experience out here. The advice that it needs winter chill must be on target. Not sure what I'll plant but I'll certainly check back here before purchasing. Dorian

Zephirine Drouhin - How does it do in Southern California?

jannorcal

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buford

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Zephirine Drouhin - How does it do in Southern California?

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