I'm glad you posted this. I have been thinking that I ought to grow Climbing Pinkie for years. Now that I know it is mildew-prone, the burden if off.

Rosefolly

Rosefolly, I've heard that Cl. Renae is a much better rose than Cl. Pinkie. I wonder whether Vintage has it right now.

I think the spot I had this rose in was a contributing factor to the mildew since it didn't get much morning sun. It's so enchanting in pictures, but I think we've all learned by now that that's often meaningless!

Ingrid

Really? Its amazing what location can do to roses. Cl. Pinkie is literally thornless and very healthy here in Texas. Mine is just a year old and the fall blooms were pretty decent. I'll watch out and post on how mine does.

Well, Ingrid, wave bye-bye for me. If it's not performing, what else can you do? But maybe you didn't really have Cl Pinkie. Mine has no prickles on the canes and only occasionally on the leaves. It also has not been much of a bloomer, but it's green, bushy and looks nice where it is.

I need to get really cold-hearted about these roses, because a few have to go but my tender heart won't pull the trigger. I feel like I'm committing a crime against rosedom to even think about taking the shovel to any of them.

I have a strong feeling you'll love Bon Silene and she'll be able to get as big as she wants. Good choice.

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

Sherry, flower- and growth-wise mine was exactly like everyone else's, but I think there may be some thornier clones. I'm glad you approve of Bon Silene, which is new to me.

As far as committing a crime against rosedom, just think that with every rose you take out you'll be supporting a small nursery by buying a new, better rose which will make you happy with its superior performance. (At least, that's how I've justified my lack of a tender heart toward roses that don't do what I want!)

Ingrid

You did the right thing. Life is short so don't spend time on roses that aren't pleasing you when there are so many others out there to chose from. Dump them and get one you love!

A rosarian's gotta do what a rosarian's gotta do.

Ingrid, I love my Bon Silene. The flowers are not good for the vase, and the form of the bloom is not as pretty as some, but it's a huge bush, always healthy, and always seems to be in bud or bloom.

Ingrid,

I HAD cl. Pinkie as well. It was the very first rose I ever received via mail order. I chose it because ARE said it was one of their favorites.

Mine had a very nice flush in the spring and then next to nothing for the rest of the year. It was also covered in black spot as soon as the new leaves appeared. I was very disappointed in it. I'm not sorry that it's gone.

I don't remember a lot of thorns, though.

Let us know how you how you like Bon Silene--it's a rose that I just can't decide if I like it or not.

Thanks for the support! I'm also on the fence about Bon Silene judging from the two blooms I've seen so far on my band. Hopefully as the rose matures it will have larger, better blooms but if it hadn't already been available I'm not sure I would have chosen it. It will keep company with Amazone, Mrs. Dudley Cross, White Meidiland, SdlM and Baptiste LaFay in the bird bath rectangle. If it doesn't work out I have two French tea roses arriving from Vintage in 2013 for which I don't have a spot....

Ingrid

Fascinating. My Climbing Pinkie is grown no spray in blackspot paradise. It shows way above average (nearly excellent) disease resistance. It is practically thornless, and it gets several decent flushes throughout the year. It is the rose I will use to replace others in my yard that don't impress me. Can you tell that I really like this rose?

Robert

I'm with you, Ingrid. Mine is to be SP'd in early spring and replaced with Cl. Aloha. Pinkie had poor blooms, and tended to drop a great deal of leaves (my ONLY rose to do so). One can never tell until one tries - which is part of the fun. I'm also SP'ing one of my Fairies as well. It was interesting to note in this forum the variability of that rose - one of mine does as expected, while the other simply sent out lots of tentacles and never, ever bloomed. Leaving the opportunity, of course, to try something new!

If I had to do it over again and could find this rose, I'd choose Annie Laurie McDowell, which sounds like the perfect climber for my climate, and to me is more beautiful than Cl. Pinkie. Of course, I've never seen Cl. Pinkie at its best.

ptboise, Cl. Aloha is gorgeous and I wish you great success with it. It has such sumptuous blooms. Robert, as usual I think location is everything and I'm glad yours is doing well. For one thing, mine was just in the wrong spot to thrive with mostly morning shade. I have a feeling it may be more susceptible to mildew than black spot.

Ingrid

Speaking of Bon Silene, I purchased a plant of Edith Perry at the SJHRG sale this fall. Jill Perry grew it from a hip from Bon Silene. She describes it as being "fuller, a bit lighter and has better form than its parent." At her house it grows to a moderate size, 4 to 5 feet. It had one bud, pink of course, but I do not know what the actual bloom will look like.

Rosefolly