Hi Annie,
Altissimo is a real toughie so should be ok up there.
You can keep it whatever size suits you-He is classified as a 'Modern Shrub/Climber'.
The one I had in Perth I espaliered on a fence.
The one I have here I keep as a shrub.
{{gwi:2115119}}
A scan :)
best regards
sandie

Sandie, that is absolutely, the most spectacular piccie I've seen in ages.
It is just glorious....and the rose ain't bad either! :))))
You have to go and put it over on the Gallery.
Well, put it this way...if you don't, I will!!

LOL! Annie-go for it if you want to-I have a LOT of problems trying to post lately-for every post I manage to get in there are several aborted ones.
Thanks for the praise also.:)
best regards
sandie

Sandie your Scans are stunning as usual "Well Done" The Best I have ever seen too.
Cheers.MM.

My neighbour here in SE suburb of Melbourne has it growing amongst lots of other tall shrub roses and climbers and it doesn't get much sun but still flowers (but would no doubt flower better with more sun). It's such a perfect specimen of a single rose, isn't it. I wonder how it compares to Black Boy (Clark) - anyone grown both, to compare them?
Janine

Janine, I don't grow them, but have seen them both, and Altissimo also as both shrub and as a climber. They look great. I like Altissimo better on the fence because I love single flower type roses. Black Boy, of course, has great fragrance but scarcer foliage. Altissimo looks great as a standalone shrub -- I've seen it together with Mermaid, also made into a large, oval shaped bush. If you have some place, it will be very unusual yet beautiful decoration in your garden ... but if you're more adventurous, I'd plant it together with some spring flowering, (single) flower type rose.
- Tom.

Thanks Tom - never considered keeping a climber like Altissimo as a shrub. Also had an idea I'd like a red-flowering Rugosa as a free-standing shrub to complement a red dwarf canna lily I have in my front yard - know of any fragrant red Rugosa's? Janine

Red rugosas? Closest to red I have is rugosa hybrid Parfum de l'Hay and Mrs. Anthony Waterer. Dark magenta-crimson. Another one is Roseraie de l'Hay, but I don't have it yet. F.J. Grootendorst is also available and is excellent rose -- luxuriant foliage covered with heaps of little red flowers and it will grow tall.
But if you want excellent, fragrant cut flowers and beautiful bush shape, pink rugosa hybrid Sarah van Fleet is unbeatable in our climate.
- Tom