I would look up / contact the Antique Rose Emporium in Texas. They have extensive knowledge of this, and also the owners have written books on the subject. Also, I would contact the Heritage Roses Group, which has local associations around the country. Also your local chapter of the American Rose Society will probably have some folks who grow antique roses in your area. The main point is to ask assistance from people who actually grow these roses right in your area. Another thing I would do is walk around the neighborhood looking for old roses.

Jackie

Gean, who posts here, is a former resident of your area. I know she had great luck with Tea Roses there -- so I hope she'll jump in.

Jeri

Johny, you might be interested in an article written by Dr. Jerry Parsons in his 'Plant Answers' column, an interesting piece about the search for THE 'San Antonio Rose'. I've quoted a few lines below.

"In the fall of 1987, Texas Agriculture Extension Service horticulturists began a search for the oldest ever-blooming roses in San Antonio. The purposes of the search was not necessarily to find the first roses ever in San Antonio, but to identify selections of old roses that are ever-blooming, low-maintenance and not currently (hot) on the market. The official judges were: Ms. Pamela Puryear of Brenham; Dr. William Welch, State Ornamental Specialist from College Station; and Greg Grant, Bexar County Horticulturist for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

"To stimulate participation and find the "genuine" San Antonio rose, the Miller beer folks . . . posted rewards of $500 for the oldest ever-blooming rose bush that has endured the longest in this area, and $250 for the oldest ever-blooming rose variety identified in this area."

Dr. Parsons recounts some interesting stories of old families and their roses and mentions the usual survivors such as Duchesse de Brabant, Lamarque, Louis Philippe, and Mrs. Dudley Cross, among others. The oldest bush found was what appeared "to be a bourbon X China cross, similar to *Louise Odier*". Dr. Parsons closed with these thoughts:

"When all is said and done, the rose named Mrs. Dudley Cross, a cream-colored, very hardy, 1907 thornless tea rose, will have to be declared "the genuine San Antonio rose". This rose possesses all of the traits which a tough-enough-for-Texas rose must have. It survives abuse -- both environmental and that which is people-inflicted. It is old and historical. It is thornless (which is not a common trait for a rose!), has large, rose-type blooms, is abundant in San Antonio which indicates its adaptability, and is . . . as close to yellow as most old roses get. Since everyone always thinks of "the yellow rose of Texas", the Mrs. Dudley Cross variety IS the "GENUINE SAN ANTONIO ROSE". "

If you'd like to read the entire article, you can see it at
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/oct04/3.htm

Mrs DC is a favorite of mine. She's in full bloom right now in my front garden and is a show-stopper. No disease even in partial shade. I intend to plant more of her even if I have to remove some others for space. But even more than just my recommendation is that of the three esteemed judges mentioned above. You can't go wrong with Mrs Dudley.

Lou

Johny,

I live just a bit east of you in Atlanta. In my garden, the best roses are the teas (Duchesse de Brabant, Mrs. BR. Cant, Souv. de Francois Gaulain, Clementina Carboneri, Angel's Camp Tea and Mons. Tillier--almost forgot Devoneisis--one of my favorites) I have other teas but they are still young and would hate to recommend something that turns out to be less than I expect. I also really like Archduc or Archduke Charles (I've seen it both ways)and Jean Bach Sisley; both Chinas. Buff Beauty, Felicia, and Lavender Lassie--Hybrid Musks do well for me as well. I have a couple of Noisettes--Madame Alfred Carriere and Blush Noisette which do well. These get large and I don't have much room. I have some polyanthas that I enjoy as well (Perle d'Or, Marie Daley and Clotilde Soupert as well as others).

Here in Atlanta, if I don't spray my 2 David Austin roses they get black spot really badly. (In fact, most things get some black spot if I don't spray--the teas, chinas, polyanthas and noisettes don't get very much so I just live with it).

Oh yes, I've done very well with Mystic Beauty which is almost identical to Souv de la Malmaison but it hold up much better in the rain than SdlM in my garden. With that in mind, I'm trying several "children" of SdlM--Souv. de St. Anne's and Captain Dyel de Graville. So far so good--but can't recommend yet. They do get some black spot but they are worth it--MB is blooming like crazy right now.

Hope that helps, feel free to contact me if you'd like some more information. I really hope some other folks like those in FL--Sherry, SC, and NC--Linda and Michael will chime in.

Welcome to Birmingham. I live in Homewood. We grow over 400 different cultivars. I recommend that you take a drive down to Petals from the Past. It's on 65 South about 40 miles south of the city. www.petalsfromthepast.com. It's a beautiful place and they sell over 100 different types of roses, all of which do well here. As mentioned above teas, chinas and noisettes all do well. We're a no spray garden so a lot of the David Austins we have found not to thrive--though many are so pretty, why not try?

Best wishes,
Kate

Hi, I also live outside of Atlanta. I do have many Austins. However, most of them need to be sprayed for blackspot. If you don't want to spray, teas are your best bet. They do wonderfully in the south. They are some of the few that did well this year through the horrible hot dry summer.

Well, thanks for remembering, Jeri, but I won't jump in very deep, because it's been awhile since I lived in the south, and your best answers are going to come from people who live close to you. I do think a trip to Petals of the Past is a great idea. But, do check out Cramoisi Superieur, though. It has the most wonderful fragrance, and welcome to Alabama! Gean

Thank you everyone for your helpful and timely advice!

Jackie, so far the only roses I've spied in my neighbors' gardens are Knock Outs. However, according to Google maps, I'm surrounded by cemeteries. Maybe some "oldies" are hanging out in them :)

Lou, thanks for sharing Dr. Parsons' article. Mrs Dudley Cross is definitely going on my list.

Gardennatlanta, thanks for sharing the roses that have worked well for you. I've written them down.

Kate, your Homewood rose garden sounds amazing. Thanks for telling me about Petals from the Past. Their website has made me very excited. Hopefully, I'll be able drive down to Jemison sometime this week.

Gean, thanks for sharing. Cramoisi Superieur is truly beautiful!

Can't wait to cultivate a rose garden in this beautiful state!

Best,
Johny

Johny,

If you're interested in Petals from the Past, you might be interested in another nursery--Rose Petals Nursery (www.rosepetalsnursery.com). They are in Florida but they ship out nice plants and have a good selection of roses that do well in the south--especially teas.

If you're willing to order by mail or have the time, a drive to South Carolina to visit Roses Unlimited (www.rosesunlimitedownroot.com) is absolutely worth the trip. They have a huge selection and have really nice sized plants. I try to make a trip there at least once a year.

Have fun and welcome to the world of Antique roses. Jeff

I live in Northeastern Louisiana. My best antiques are Archduke Charles, Cramoisi Superior, Mrs. B R Cant, Safrano, and Souv. de la Malmaison. I sp'd Mrs. Dudley Cross b/c in 4 yrs, the blooms were always damaged- the petals looked like old, used Kleenex! Same for many pale roses. I'm moving towards the darker colored pinks and reds for this reason. Carefree Beauty, though not antique is a super performer year-round in my garden!

Johny,
I live just a little south of you (between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa). I planted Louis Phillipe and Cremosi Superior and Pam's Pink last fall. They have really done well. I am expecially happy with Louis Phillipe...I have it and Cremosi Superior planted alongside each other, but Louis Phillipe is the better bloomer. Also, Reine des Violettes and Lilac Dawn have been wonderful.

This spring, I planted several more OGRs and they are doing well...Mrs. BR Cant, Souvenir de la Malmaison and Sombreuil. Also a moss rose and later, Belinda's Dream and Duchess de Brabant. This fall, Paul Neyron and Maggie wne in the garden. I have Austins alongside the little fench and they are growing well and had a very nice flush this fall.

Louis Phillipe:
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Tiny little Pam's Pink bush:
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Lilac Dawn is a favorite of mine: It always seems to have a few blooms all year, and good flushes in spring and fall. The black spot really bothered herat the start of the year, but she grew out of it.
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Brenda's Dream: I'm going to love this one.
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New little section of rose garden with Austins and Ballerina along fence:
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Section planted last fall:
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View shows most of my little rose garden:
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kay