I'm not too sure where on the coast you are, but the climate you're describing is the climate I USED to have. (Now, we are far, far warmer and drier.)

In those conditions, not all Austins succeeded. And even among those that did, I'll say right up front that as a group (generalization) they need more water than -- say -- Tea Roses or Chinas. (Of course, so do Hybrid Musks and Hybrid Perpetuals.)

But I can name a few that we have succeeded with, over the years. Mind, I'm talking about the older Austins. I haven't planted any in a long time.

Where Graham Thomas was an abject failure, and so was The Pilgrim (both grew and grew, and didn't want to bloom) Golden Celebration is a huge success. It has stood the test of time, and is still here.

In a completely different category of roses, 'Prospero' is a real winner -- rarely out of bloom, and with good disease-resistance. It grows a bit like a China -- dislikes a lot of pruning. But if you leave it alone, it will bloom and bloom.

The Dark Lady is a beauty -- but she is a weak grower on her own roots. If you can find one that is budded, and not TOO badly virused, she makes beautiful blooms.

L.D. Braithwaite is a very vivid red, which I eventually found unpleasant, so it is long gone. But it is vigorous, blooms a lot, and is disease-resistant.

Jerijen - Thanks for the detailed report. Golden Celebration is beautiful. That is one I would love to have. I am up in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mts. in an unincorporated area between Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

ROYAT, Roses of Today and Yesterday, seems to be near you and might give you some input about local conditions relevant to roses. I am on the southern edge of the Central Coast at Gaviota and a few miles from Point Conception. Much of March through early July can be gloomy. But, at 900 ft or so the fog goes quickly in late July through October with some days in the low 90s. I do grow a number of Austins. Actually, I was surprised when I checked after reading your post at just how many there are - they must have snuck in when I wasn't looking. Anyway, I have good luck with Golden Celebration, Jude, Munstead Wood, Diamond Jubilee, Claire, LDB, WS 2000, TDL, BB, Charlotte, Bishops Castle, CPM, Happy Child, Huntington, PAK, SA, LofM, Young Lycidas, Windermere, and two new young ones, Heathcliff and Boscobel which are both doing well. Tradescant, Portmerion, Lady Emma Hamilton, a favorite, Pat, another favorite, Alnwick, Ambridge, Prospero, Othello, and Abraham Darby are all rusty ones and need more water. Fallstaff is stingy with blooms at the end of 6 ft wands. That said, I have moved for the most part to own root and OGRs for the future and will be choosy in replacing when need be. Own root plants don't give me the root stock suckers and with a need to conserve the ground water our well draws upon, the OGRs I've trended toward have less water needs.

A footnote to thank Jeri for her pics. It is always a joy to see.

Nancylee2 - WOW, you have a lot of Austin roses.Thanks for such a long list and all the information. I will look up all those roses. I have been growing roses here since 1986. I use to have 50 but have cut back to about 30. Some of my roses go back to 1986 and aren't doing as well. I thought I would replace them with Austin roses. But I had heard that they can be more demanding than other roses. I love their looks though.

Nancylee2 - I started looking up the roses. Not sure what the initials stand for. Is BB= Ben Britten, CPM = Crown Princess Margareta, LDB= L.D. Braithwaite, LofM= Lady of Megginch, PAK=Princess Alexandra of Kent, SA= Sharifa Asma, TDL= The Dark Lady?

Thanks.