I have grown Ophelia own root where own root HTs, really many own root roses period, did quite well. In that garden, there was no shade other than from neighboring rose bushes, so the plants didn't have to reach for light. It was mid Southern California desert and the sun reached the hillside from about six AM until it set behind the mountain across the valley, six PM or later. Ophelia grew about three feet high by two feet wide and provided a few flowers at a time much of the year. I'm sure her performance would have been better had she been budded. Her performance and productivity were very similar to her sports Lady Sylvia, Rapture and Mme. Butterfly. In the extremes of that garden, they often appeared very similar. I've always thought their differences would probably have been easier to detect in a climate with much less severe heat and sun intensity. There were usually few fungal issues there due to the aridity and higher heat levels. I have no idea what you should expect in Atlanta. Kim

I tried 'Mme. Butterfly' grafted from Pickering. The flowers were perfectly elegant and refined, with red stamens and thick, satiny petals. Plant was not vigorous and probably average in blackspot susceptibility. Mine died over winter. Pat in N. Alabama had the same experience.

I grow Ophelia, Mme Butterfly, and Lady Sylvia in my no-spray garden.

The first time I tried growing Ophelia it died, but then I tried again and it seems to be doing well. (I think planting location might have been a factor in the death of the first one.)

Repeat bloom is good. It does drop some of its leaves in summer, but that does not diminsh its blooming.

It has always been short here, under two feet tall. I grow it as a compact bedding rose.

The fragrance is lovely.

Ophelia's and Lady Sylvia's blooms look different to my eye...Lady Sylvia is a darker pink.

I have a whole garden of early HTs in my front yard, all on their own roots, and they are a total mixed-bag as far as performance goes. I imagine they would do better with a teeny bit more sun, and a more regular fertilizer routine.

I have Golden Ophelia, a seedling of Ophelia, and it's declining rapidly. It was okay the first year, and it's been getting smaller ever since then. I doubt it will survive the winter. Ophelia is a seedlling of Antoine Rivoire, which does better for me. I should probably get Ophelia and try it out.

Editor McFarland is a child of Pharisaer, which does okay for me on its roots. It's not great, but it's better than most. I expect Editor McFarland would probably do the same.

Some of my best own-root early HTs are Mrs Wakefield Christy Miller, Lady Ursula, Madame Jule Bouche, Curly Pink, Country Doctor, Mme Abel Chatenay, Augustine Guinoisseau, White Killarny, Grace Darling, and Lady Alice Stanley.

Connie