I am a newer rose grower, and I grow The Dark Lady in a no spray garden. She was purchased own root in a 1 gallon pot in early spring 2011, and is now about 18 inches high. I agree with Jeni, she is a very high bloom producer and repeats very rapidly! She also hasn't done the "I want to be a climber" thing that so many of my other Austins have done in our hot Tennessee summers. My only complaint is that she has weak necks. I'm not sure if its because she's only in her first year, or if her blooms are just too heavy for the stems. That being said, I would still 100% reccommend planting her. Our biggest disease problem here is blackspot, and I haven't had many issues with her compared to other suppossedly "disease resistant" roses. She's definitly a great purchase! ~Tammy

I am near you - about 3 hours from Galveston in east Texas. I love my Tess. I have her on a huge fan shaped trellis - she has very healthy foliage and lots of nice blooms. Two of my favorite Austins are Carding Mill and Abe Darby. Wollerton Old Hall, new for me last year, does get really big, don't find the blooms fragrant like Austin says, but they are pretty. Sophy's Rose is a really good one - healthy foliage, lots of big pretty deep pink blooms. Bishop's Castle is good. Lady of Shallot looks to be big. I have quite a few new ones that are healthy and growing - they will do better next year. Great big for me are James Galway and Scepter d'Isle - like them a lot. I have Lady Emma and Munstead Wood planted where they get full sun until 2pm - hope they like it there. I really like Ambridge Rose too. Love the blooms on Jude......mine is very small though. I am getting another Young Lycadis - my chickens were scratching in that bed and killed it. The color is a different, brighter looking pink that I really like. Englands Rose was new for me last year - it started off looking and blooming fantastically.....then it starting dawdling around. Am hoping it will get going again in the spring - it was really nice. I want to try Princess Alexandra of Kent - have heard good things about it. Do any of you all plan to try the new Austins? I want Boscobel, The Lark Ascending.......not sure about the others. caldonbeck, the photos are fabulous! Judith

Thank you.

R, I can't tell you whether or not this will be a success, but last month dug out a specimen of LEH that was staying very small planted out in my front garden and potted her up to put by my front door. I'm not sure whether or not she will respond well to this treatment, but since she has been a compact grower for me and is also reported by Austin to be suitable for pots, I suspect she will do well. Great fragrance. Sean, I also love Gertrude Jekyll and Munstead Wood! Such great roses!