I grow Golden Zest. Love it, actually. Great fragrance -- probably the most fragrant rose there is, to my nose. And it's not just my nose, either, as every time I put a decent one in a rose show fragrance class, it usually wins -- over Double Delight and Monsieur Lincoln and the rest of the regulars there. It also is one of the few maxi-petalled roses that will actually hold its head facing straight up -- very stiff stems, which makes it a good cutting rose. And it rarely balls -- even in my fog zone. The two drawbacks -- it eats fertilizer like no tomorrow, and it absolutely refuses to grow on its own roots. If you don't give it constant fertilizer, you will only get one bloom cycle per year. And I have been trying to multiply my plants for five years now, and I can get them to root, but then they just wither away. Must be grafted. Kathy

Beth, even tho CS fades....it sounds like it might work in the spot I have planned for it. It would get excellent sunlight. Since it has so many blooms.....maybe the faded ones would also have new ones to offset. Are the blooms smaller or floribunda size? Since you grow so many great roses, could you possibly suggest a companion to go in the other pot on the opposite side of the arbor? Perhaps a stripe? I plan to get Julio Iglesis at Teas Nursery in Houston next month......thought they might balance each other but if you can think of another stripe that would look good, I am all ears. Now not sure whether to order GZ or not.......everything I read about it says it is a top notch bloomer. Hopefully someone else will comment....No need ordering a rose that doesnt bloom well... Judith

They both have a powerful and wonderful fragrance. My Lady Emma is tiny so far. I think Golden Zest is the much larger of the two. I would put GZ in the larger of the two spots.

Hi. I don't have a full bush shot, but my own-root FC is about 3 feet high and 2.5 feet wide and is 3 years old. It is a full bush, not leggy. I must say, FC is a tough plant to place in the garden b/c of the deep coral/orange color. Pinks would clash in my opinion. ; ) The new growth is a deep purple, which is lovely.