Hi
I'm only a novice and my PdeM is only a first year resident, but I think she's lovely. She certainly grew, about chest height. Flowered generously. Slow opening,very big, very elegant buds on long stems. The only fault I noticed was that the last few buds didn't open, but just got sogged up in the rain. But hey, with the weather Melbourne is having(cold February, no winter, lovely July) anyone would be confused. She is fragrant.

Dear Varmi,

She is a lovely rose in all areas just like the lady she was named after. Go for it and buy her.

Cheers,

Brissy

Thanks for that Briss and Sue, worth a shot then. The buds that did not open would have been the cold and rain just spoiling it around this season. Had that happen to my gorgeous Michelle Meilland. A few roses did that when I cut them recently, they were put in a vase, failed to open and just went mouldy. MM a real beauty and so generous in the growing season, can't do without her. I'll give PdM several ticks too for fragrance...that does it-I will get her in the ground asap.

cheers and thanks again
varmi

Yeah, mine's been in a while now. Some problems with balling in the first season particularly, not so much after, but vigorous and free flowering, very tough I'd rate her. Haven't noticed any fragrance though, and pretty though they are, the blooms and buds seem fairly easily damaged. Not too many perfect ones for picking. Still she's a nice show in the garden.

Probably the only roses in my garden that would compete with her for vigour would be Just Joey and Fragrant Plum. Royal Highness is up there, but she's got a more gentle position than the others. Mr Lincoln pretty vigorous and floriferous too, but he has a really premier position in the garden.
PdeM, like JJ also seems to have a nice balanced placing of flowers over the bush, unlike FP who tends to race for the sky and flower at the top of the bush, albeit prolifically.

Grew it for 4-5 years in early 90's . It was a popular rose then and still is.Like other H.T's can fall apart from black spot if your climate is extreme or if you neglect feeding and spraying for too long.
However the fragrance is very strong and it's for both this and it's unusual colour that I beleive it stays so popular.
Mr Thrip

Beautiful rose with thick shiny leaves.It has become yet another of my favourites!! However Stainless Steel ,St Patricks Day and also Ophelia are great performers

Hi Varmi,

I have a beautiful big perfect bloom of P.M out at present, do you want me to send you a photo?

Brissy

I have great sucess with PDM.
Great shaped blooms disease resistant and very hardy. In fact I nearly lost one due to wrong position and was able to rescue it.
Fairly indestructable .
Michelle

Yes please Brissy, it's all beautful on the tags but a photo says everything. Am curious about the wrong position rosesforme you had her growing in...is she a bit fussy?

Will spray for BS if I have to but glad to see PdM is a good rose.

cheers
varmi

good rose...dont buy it for smell....don't worry about losing blooms in winter...mother nature says they dont really want to anyway!!...

A strong buxom and healthy rose, but if you don't want a huge (2 metres tall x 1.5) strong & thorny rose - she's not one who likes being brought down to size, she'll sulk if you try.

Just what I want to hear, thanks all!

Varmie
I had PDM in a large container for about 2 years it grew beautifully. I then planted it in very poor soil ( my mistake).The soil was rubbish.Also i think it had a possum attack and as a result the rose was doing very poorly.So I repotted it in a large container,tidied it up cutting off the damaged bits and unhealthy growth.
Now it is a ripper!
So a lesson learnt---position and good soil.
It was my muck up.The rose is actually very hardy-not fussy.
W ith lots of TLC the rose is amazing again!!!
cheers
Michelle

Did you get my photos Varmi?? I sent them of this rose to "your page" from this forum. Because I haven't been able to work out how to post them here ..as yet.

Cheers,

Brissy

Thanks Rosesforme, will keep that in mind. Brissy how do I get to my page...sorry if it seems a dumb question.

Cheers
varmi

Your home page is just where I got your e-mail address. That's where I sent the photos of Princess de Monaco for you as I cannot work out how to post the photos without a drop down browse button.

Cheers,

Brissy

Brissy your pictures of PdM are glorious! Thank you very much...lovely big blooms!

Cheers
varmi