skip to main content

California Gardening

San Francisco only; your favorite roses

16 years ago

I did a search for SF specific roses but did not find a discussion that was San Francisco only.

Hi, since SF is an entire different animal as far as gardening climate, I'd love to create a list of your favorite disease resistant, pest free roses. While I appreciate the fave roses from those living in places like Berkeley or San Mateo, if you garden in SF you know it's an entirely different set of micro-climates we deal with. Heck, you go one block here and you are almost in another zone entirely.

I routinely consult the SF Rose Society lists but feel they sometimes fall short.

Here are some of my fave roses that are not as fussy as others in SF;

Flutterby

Altissimo

Mutablis

Lady Banks

I find even Cecil Brunner can be rather troublesome in certain areas. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

mlevie
16 years ago
When we lived in SF, we had a purple-flowered rose called Moon Shadow which was a touch slow to start but once it took off it was phenomenal. Our garden was a bit on the shady side but it didn't seem to care. I planted a little garlic under it and never saw an aphid again. I stopped watering it and it thrived.

I really miss that rose.

We lived in the Crocker Amazon district, which if you look on a map you might think was in the sunny eastern part of the City, but actually was quite foggy, I'd say equivalent to the Inner Sunset.

Matt
inquisitive_explorer
16 years ago
Hi! I just became a member of the garden web so I could respond. I routinely look for info on gardening in SF--the challenges of our micro-climates and other gardeners' successes in working with it. I live 2 blocks away from the wet side of Mt. Davidson (Miraloma Park)--lots of heavy wet windy summer fog with sunny springs and sunny autumns. I grow roses in a sheltered spot in my back yard (the sunny spot) amoung a variety of other blooming plants. I love roses, so I took the plunge (my neighbor said it was impossible). My absolute favorite thus far (and most successful) is Honey Dijon. Disease resistant, strong and vigorous (in its first year) with a constant abundant display of beautiful elegant blossoms! I was very suprised--since this is an HT.

The other that I love and never stops blooming is Iceberg. The branches are graceful in such a way that it reminds me of my years of ballet classes as a young girl.

I also have Neptune--beautiful when blooming before the fog rolls in; otherwise the many petals mildew and turn brown in the dampness--not abundant--maybe 3 blossoms at most at a time--but what a heavenly scent!

Gold Medal and Sunsprite were my first roses -- some years are good---some not so. Not sure why.

Tried Blue Berry Hill -- took it out -- the thorns were too heavy. The blossoms were underwhelming.

I have Fragrant Cloud. Goes through periods of being "tired" and not producing. But when it does--wow--love the color and form.

This year I am trying Hot Cocoa, About Face, and Moon Dance (planted 2 weeks ago). I wish I had more yard to try more.

---Loving roses and San Francisco.
Related Discussions
Your favorite 'found' rose?
Q
Comments (21)
Greybird- I was tickled rose-pink to see 'Ruths' German Rose' covering a large plot in Miriams backyard, it wasn't in bloom when we were gathering roses for Morcom Park, but I got a thrill just seeing the plants. Old Blush-Yours is the most beautiful photo I've ever seen of Nat. Noisette" really stunnning. Jeri, do you know where Fred found "Le Pactole"? it is one of my favorite Tea roses. I also am a fan of " Grandmothers Hat", a voluptuous rose. I forgot about "S.G.C.M" I was heartbroken when it failed in my organic rose garden, too much p.m. to thrive in our cool coastal area. Thanks to all of you, for posting back. I have happy memories of most of the roses posted, its' like remembering old freinds, that others have known. Lux.
...See More
San Diego Rose Show - Only 2 weeks
Q
Comments (1)
It was good BeBe - thanks for everything.
...See More
Double-glazing only tiny gain in San Francisco?
Q
Comments (2)
My math tells me that something like $10 a pane ($20 a window, as they are double hung) goes through the glass. What leaks around the sashes (as well as other infiltration and conductive losses) is another question! Maybe 30 "panes" worth of glass area throughout the house, so $300 a year. Total gas bill is around $100-200 a month (including "summer"), which includes heat, hot water, and gas range. Based on that, I'll back-of-the-envelope $500-750 a year for heating. It all seems to fit together. I'm just surprised that it's so low.
...See More
Share your favorite spots in San Francisco
Q
Comments (46)
@mrrogerscardigan -- I see the others hit your other questions. If tile and art ceramics are interesting, there are many choices. Yes, there is another SF location, at 18th and Alabama, in the Mission (and Tartine Manufactury!). There is the street food park nearby, next to Costco, filled with permanent food truck installation. OffTheGrid is on Friday nights at Fort Mason, Sunday mid-day at the Presidio. Regarding your vegetarian resto question -- the city (and California) is very vegetarian and vegan friendly (DH went veg five years ago). Almost all restaurants will have one if not more options - plus the Italian, Indian and other southern Asian restaurants will have plenty of choices, often a whole sub-menu that is veg and vegan. For Mexican, you might consider Gracias Madre in the Mission (purely veg) or for vegan sushi, Shizen (have not been, but have heard good things). It certainly beats your average nut burger for variety. At the high end, some top rated places are either veg-forward (Al's Place) or sometimes even have a complete tasting menu for vegetarians. I sometimes think because the SF restaurants are so veg-friendly (and rents so high) it hurts the success of veg-only restaurants (many have closed, including ones we went to). For example, Coqueta (tapas, famous chef, on the water) has so many veg tapas on the menu a mixed table is always happy. On pizza, Delfina is a great choice. I'm also partial to the pinsa (a Roman crisp rice crust variant) at Montesacro (in one of the gritty mid-Market corners). I've been to a party at the home featured in the "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" documentary. The parrots can now be found everywhere, but the place the protagonist lived at is near the top of the Greenwich steps.
...See More

Related Stories

DESIGNER SHOWCASES San Francisco Decorator Showcase: Happy Days Are Here Again

By Mary Jo Bowling

Creative ideas, bold colors and inventive materials abound under one (very large) roof

VICTORIAN DESIGN Houzz Tour: San Francisco’s Haas-Lilienthal House

By Mary Jo Bowling

Get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of this storied Victorian mansion from its decade-long caretaker

DESIGNER SHOWCASES Glamour Ahead: Get In on the 2013 San Francisco Decorator Showcase

By Vanessa Brunner

Take an inspiring virtual tour of 20 luxurious spaces in a Georgian mansion that push design and decorating drama to the max

CITY GUIDES Travel Guide: San Francisco for Design Lovers

By Vanessa Brunner

Visionary architecture, great museums, amazing food and shops — you don't have to leave your heart here to take inspiration home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Visionary Thinking Clicks With a San Francisco Entrepreneur

By Becky Harris

An open mind and an unusual process help a successful software engineer get an interior design that suits and celebrates his life

FUN HOUZZ Did Elves Make a Home in a San Francisco Park?

By Vanessa Brunner

Speculation has swirled around a Lilliputian doorway in Golden Gate Park. We give you the true story — and a design dilemma

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Antiques and Old-World Luxury in the San Francisco Hills

By Vanessa Brunner

Traditional furnishings and muted colors complement European architecture in a beautifully remodeled 1912 house

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Pushing Boundaries in a San Francisco Victorian

By Mary Jo Bowling

If the roll-up garage door doesn’t clue you in, the blue cabinets and oversize molding will: This kitchen is no ordinary Victorian galley

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Unboxing a San Francisco Condo

By Mary Jo Bowling

Feminine glam replaces boxy and boring in a remodeled luxury condominium with a view

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Ancient and New Tell a Story in San Francisco

By Tiffany Carboni

Chinese artifacts join 1970s art and much more in a highly personal, lovingly reincarnated 1896 home

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I transplant a large plumeria to a different pot now, in November

0

Year of the Wood Dragon

13

Do you defoliate your roses?

18

What type of oak is this? zone 9b/10a SF East Bay

2

My California Rose Garden 2024

46