I can't really imagine it as a shrub -- it would make a huge and "floppy" one. It's excellent trained somewhat horizontally as a climber, since the canes are somewhat lax. It's a deep, pure red, so goes very well with whites and yellows. We grow it on top of a retaining wall, where it drapes down over the wall below, and it works well in that situation. My parents grow it on a trellis, probably 8' tall by 10' wide, and it also looks good there.

That's such good information and just what I need to know, thanks so much! I have a 4.5' retaining wall that'll be topped with a picket fence between a lower terrace to be planted with "old rose" tones and an upper level that'll have brighter warmer tones, so up there on that fence along with something mediating below sounds like just the place for it.

Another question, though (of course). I already have a baby 'Bloomfield Courage' in that area which I haven't seen in bloom yet. Will they be happy together colorwise, or should I plan on moving that one? If so, is it cooler?

Well, I needed a good red climber, and based on this forum, found myself a baby FotW (from Rogue Valley Roses, although it's out of stock now for the season). My question is, how does this rose do with heat? I've got a southern exposure on a gazebo where I'd like to place it, and it's a pretty hot spot. Should I plant a don Juan there instead?

Hi, Beki. I'm only in measly zone 5, so hopefully someone from your zonal neighborhood will give you a better answer. FotW's blooms held up very nicely for me last year. It is in full (and I mean "full") sun, from sunrise to sunset.

Mine has a southern exposure too. But you will be better able to figure out how it will do for you if someone from zone 7 or higher lets you know. I know there are warm-zoners who grow this rose. If you don't get a response in this thread, start a new one.

I'm still waiting on two from Ashdown. I hope they get cuttings underway soon. I planted six red climbers in "matched" pairs across the front of my very plain cape cod. The final two slots (making 8 total, two on each "face" of the house) are reserved for Fields of the Woods.

Lionhart, from another measly zoner: do you think I could have it on a fairly narrow trellis, an iron half-circle on a west wall? I never expect much from my climbers but this one is totally unknown in Europe and may be different? Does it behave more like a rambler? A friend has included it for me in her order from Ashdown.

Marianne in Sweden

Hi Marianne,

My FotW not quite 2 years old, on its own root, so I'm not sure how big it will get in the cold zones when it is finally mature. Right now it is about 1.25 to 1.5 meters tall. It is only just breaking dormancy now, so there's no growth yet for this year; it's too early to tell you how much it looks like it will grow this year.

But I can say that it has had absolutely no disease, it reblooms well, has a lovely fragrance, and did not have any winter dieback this year. The leaf buds are coming out and the canes are very healthy.

It seems very strong and vigorous so I have hopes for this rose in our cold zones.

The problem in the northeastern U.S. is mostly blackspot. FotW had NO black spot last year, when almost all the other roses had black spot.

So far, the canes are somewhat thin. The new growth could be trained easily, as the new growth is very flexible.

I'm sorry that I don't know how big it will get. However, it has been a good rose so far. I hope someone with more experience can give us a good idea of how large it will be in a similar climate.

Deb

I have it on a 10-ft trellis and yes, you can grow it as a shrub and a climber (just one plant) which is what I am doing. Big whopping shrub and climbing onto the trellis to the top and going across it. No dieback whatsoever. Extremely beautiful rose. Never has had any blackspot or any winter dieback. Itlikes to bloom!
{{gwi:250111}}

That is a Wonderful photo, Patricia! How do you get your reds so clearly red with your camera? No pinkishness, no rustiness at all (at least not on this monitor!)

I am brand new to digital photography, and would love to get some good photos like this!

Allison

I got mine last year or so from Countryside, and I am so happy to see/hear Patricia grows hers as a shrub and climber.. I planted mine early Spring or maybe Fall? Can't remember- with the hopes to do the same. I let them (climbers) grow for awhile, then hoist/wrap them up around a structure of some sort. I have a few buds about to open I can't wait..! I remember Lisa from Countryside telling me she grows hers on a white picket fence and it was gorgeous! Wish I had a white picket fence and a few acres!
jenn

It's just amazing, if this rose actually is RI Red (1957), how a rose that was immeasurably better than any competitor should have become nearly extinct, while people continued to plant the blackspotty, non-fragrant, and less hardy Blaze by the millions. Similarly, I don't think Illusion (1961) was ever sold by a major US producer. J&P had Blaze and introduced Don Juan (Italian bred) shortly after the Blaze patent expired. I don't recall if Star or Armstrong had a red climber.

Allison, I am not sure which one I used to do this picture. My kids give me their abandoned cameras in hopes I will learn to use it properly. When will they learn that the latest camera does not replace the optic nerve? Kids!

I seem to remember that Ashdown has tentatively unlinked FOW from RRed.

Whoever FoW is, its sure a beaut. Mine is still young & doing that long gangly set up that usually implies very large intentions. As everyone has noted, great color, great fragrance & healthy healthy healthy

Yes, I believe Vintage has also ID'd this as actually the Brownell climber 'Rhode Island Red', & I tend to agree.