Honestly there are many better roses than this now. It is a very early rose, a first cross.

If a rose isn't pleasing you, I say, toss it! It's your garden and your garden should give you pleasure.

Why don't you try a more recent David Austin like Lady of Shalott--supposed to be very disease-resistant, very floriferous, and lovely. Mine is still young but doing terrifically well.

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Lady of Shalott shrub

If you want a pink, the Alnwick Rose is good. Abe Darby's offspring are pretty good too, Crown Princess Marg, Golden Celebration etc. There are others but I don't grow them. Alnwick Rose is 2 generations down from abe and he has definitely improved things in those short steps.

I have Abraham Darby in a pot, and it is lovely here. I have to keep it trimmed to about 1 1/2 feet or lower in order to have stems that can support the heavy blooms - so they don't nod. The fragrance is wonderful as is the size of the blooms and the rebloom. Love it here. YMMV Here's a picture of mine. In my opinion, it needs lots of water to do well. I also fertilize with worm compost and fish oil and kelp. Wonderful rose. I tried to get a bush shot to post, but it won't post for me ...too large, I guess for the browse feature.
Carol :)

My ad are wonderful. Beautiful, healthy fragrant, bloom machines. Have 3 in the ground and one in a pot. Also, a climbing ad....also beautiful.

How do you keep it that low? Mine wants to be 6 feet tall or more. The big canes shoot up and then arch over. I thought about potting one and maybe it would keep the plant smaller.
What about one of the Kordes roses from Palatine for old fashioned looks but better disease resistance? I don't know if it would help with thrips though.

I got AD right after it came out, planted it in rock hard clay soil and it looked HORRIBLE for years with the blackspot and such, and all of a sudden straightened up and really started showing something! It's not a pretty bush, but, oh those roses are so worth it (to me, anyway). It seemed to come really alive after feeding with alfalfa. I love this rose!

Carol, That's a gorgeous photo of AD with the tiny insect struggling up the mighty Abraham's petal.

I loved the first flush or two out of our Abe, but I think the spot I have him in gets too much reflected heat. I am trying to decide if I would rather something in front of the wall that reflects or to move Abe. At some point, there will be a grape arbor on the hot lower side of the yard from him. But rather than see him hang on, I might move to a cooler spot.

With him I will move Golden Celebration too, mostly cause that particular plant is a dog, should be replaced with a better one, but will give it one last chance...

I think they will like this location better but it is on the shady side all summer (persimmon trees)

Kippy -- How old is your Golden Celebration? The GCs we have on Huey took a few years to settle in. I think of this as a "Sleep-Creep-Leap" sort of rose. FWIW -- Ours are in MORNING sun only.

Jeri

Jeri,

Our GC was in the front yard for about 3-4 years with just a bloom or two.

I moved it to the back where it would get more sun and we got maybe 4 flowers. It is about 2-3' tall. (on the other hand the RdV band from Burling is about 4 1/2 feet tall)

Those 2 trees are persimmons, so they really leaf out all summer, but drop leaves in a month or so

I do think it takes three full years for GC to kick in, but when it does, it's an excellent rose. It does need lots of water, and too much hot sun can make it pretty saggy and unhappy looking. Diane

I gave up on AD for two reasons. It's sideways growing habit made it a real thug in the garden. And it is the very first rose to show rust when the time is right. Bye Abe - your outta here.

I've been growing AD for a BUNCH of years. First in Central FL., then in S.E. Fl., and now up here in far N.E. GA. It took 2/3 years to get established but it was always a great (big) bush that always pumped out fantastic flowers. My favorite Austin.

I really think he just needs a dry climate, the slightest sniff of moisture and the flowers end up scabby and horrible. Really not worth the effort for me.