Depends on what you are looking for in a rose. I agree, ASL blooms shatter quickly, but at the peak of it's spring flush, there are so many buds that the display is a long one. It takes a rest after that and gives a smaller more spotty flush late in the season. But so does a number of other English Roses. At maturity, the spring display is breath taking. No fragrance, though. It is a tough and healthy palnt. In our garden, it is the most black spot resistant rose we grow (we don't spray). It gets big - canes will easily reach 8 foot if not kept in check, and the bush is just as wide. In spite of it's height, it is not a climber - the canes are ram rod straight and stiff. They also break off easily at their base if too much stress is applied. It has relatively few thorns.

I don't have the specialized knowledge you need, since I am in zone 3 :) But I do grow both of them in pots and have some general observations. Betty White - Plus - Lots of very fragrant flowers. Huge pinky/white. One of my very favorite roses. It is very bushy and showy. Minus - Every time it rains, the blooms turn brownish. It rains a lot here - so it's frustrating. A Shropshire Lad Plus - Beautiful soft pink blooms that have a lovely spiral. Minus - grows taller and is not very bushy. Smells faintly of cucumbers. Blooms hang a little bit. Someone else will give you more pertinent info for your zone - but maybe this will help a little. :) Carol

Hi Rebecca I agree with Rick about A Shropshire Lad and The Generous Gardener. ASL didn't survive in my zone 4 pocket but has done at least OK in a regular spot. TGG is essentially a once-bloomer for me, and there are many better once bloomers suited for your zone in the albas and gallicas and such. Since Rick is a genuine zone 4 and mine is just a virtual zone 4, you should take his advice over mine. In my zone 4 pockets of the yard, Austins that have survived reasonably well include Teasing Georgia (of course), Abraham Darby, Tamora, and Lady of Shalott. I also grow all of my Austins own-root including this area, and it seems to work well for me with winter survival and rapid regrowth Some other roses that are Austin-like in these zone 4 pockets include the ever-so-lovely Heaven on Earth, the Buck roses Folksinger and Prairie Sunrise, and the Lim rose Sweet Fragrance. I suspect other Kordes roses like Floral Fairy Tale may be zone 4 hardy, but I haven't tried them in these spots yet. Have fun with your choices! Cynthia

I used to grow Evelyn and A Shrophire Lad together... and they look great!. You might also consider Strawberry Hill. But Evelyn blooms are magnificent!