Well, I think this has been a very good thread on David Austins. I appreciate everyone's input. I have made up my mind what I am purchasing this year, but I'm sad that I can't buy about a dozen more....lol. I had already decided to stick to just one order from Pickering this year and they were sold out on my favorites, so I finally decided on Harlow Carr, because of it's disease resistance, it's 'old rose' fragrance, it's ability to repeat bloom and according to the David Austin site, possibly tolerant of part shade. I have just the place for it. It is not my first choice by a long shot. Not the glamourous beautifully formed, quartered and buttoned blossoms that I really love, but I think it will suit my purpose for the time being. What has happened though, is that now I really want to grow more roses and I am very interested in growing more David Austins. So I am keeping my list and I'll just have to see if I can figure out a way to squeeze them in somewhere so I can buy more. :-) zack, thanks for saving me from Geoff Hamilton which I would be unhappy with I believe. Sharifa Asma will go on my list. rosecorgis, Glamis Castle is gorgeous and I would love to try it. I hope you will post photos this summer. Jubilee Celebration, I think I will have to check with others who might have tried to grow it in my area. From a photo, I love the color and form of that rose. dublinbay, I really dislike the BS problems and the loss of foliage that goes with it, so I appreciate knowing the problems you've had with it. York Rose, I really did want to try an Alba. Especially since I have less than full sun in an area I want to try one. I was hesitating because of the 'once bloom', but I am growing clematis too and I had forgotten that I could combine the two. So I am going to buy one Alba. I narrowed it down to Felicite Parmentier and Mme Plantier and I needed a white, so I ordered Mme Plantier. Thanks for the reminder and the link. I have not ordered from the supplier on Cape Ann, but I am going to take a good look at what they are offering this year too..... Thanks for pointing out the size of semi-plena. zyperiris, thanks for that reminder about the Dr Huey rootstock. That will keep me away from ordering DAs at the nursery. I am ordering from Pickering who uses a different rootstock I believe? Maureen, oh how I wish I had room for a large rose like that! You make a great point about looking for the added benefit of 'four season' interest on a once bloomer. Thanks to all! I think the question of whether David Austins do well in New England has been answered. Feel free to keep the thread going on your favorite David Austins. I am still making a 'wish' list as I'm sure others are as well. I was wondering which Austin is the most fragrant, which Austin repeats the best, are there any Austins that don't have droopy flowers, which blossoms last a long time? :-)

Well, I have Claire Austin, and I'm not impressed with that one. Primary problem is that you cannot cut the blooms -- they shatter almost immediately after opening, and especially quick if you try to cut them from the plant. They shoulda called that one something like Icestorm -- you mostly see petals on the ground. I still think Ambridge Rose is the best of the Austins, but if you NEED to try a new one, then The Endeavor (AUSdisco) is a good one, and I think it is available only in the US and Australia, and not England (go figure). But I've had it for a year and like it. Kathy

Hello Karima and mistymorn. I found this site, yes! Did I post to the American equivalent Mistymorn? I guess I did. On David Austin's, Graham Thomas: I've grown it twice, once in Sydney, where it is cooler than where I am now, and here. It failed here, just west of Tweed Heads, NSW; too hot, I'd say, afterall, it is an English rose. Graham Thomas is a nice strong rose but really more suitable to cooler climates than where I am or further north. Ok, as far north as Sydney it's fine but doubtful it would/will succeed in the sub-tropics. David himself once said he was surprised when commenting on a specimen growing in South Africa that it was so big it assumed climbing proportions. On blackspot: Am I a sinner? I have to admit I use a systemic fungicide, Triphorine, and I very much doubt it has any effect on frogs, bees, or any other native creature (if it killed cane-toads though, I wouldn't complain). Blackspot is a fungus, and Triphorine is a fungicide and ladies (seems only ladies talk about roses) if you want roses, or azaleas, in the warmer climates you have to use fungicides/insecticides or don't bother growing them at all, and hey, today's deterents - fungicides and (selected) insecticides are a hell of a lot safer than than the old DDTs, whatever. Look, if you 'spray-can' a recommended lime-sulphur mix - both natural products - over your roses in mid winter after you prune you'll rarely need to use a fungicide. Insecticides - really, to minimise aphid attack, and blackspot plant your roses into the wind and space them a metre apart - I use maybe only 2, 3 or 4 times a year, that's all I need. If I can't use them I'll dig up my rose garden and abandon roses and azaleas altogether (what looks more ugly than an azalea's leaves grey from azalea lace-bug?) By the way, many of the the old heritage roses are more beautiful than the hyrids and are immune from aphids, fungus deseases, etc. The picture attached is of the gorgeous climber, Dublin Bay, a McReady rose from New Zealand, daughter of Altissimo and the full pink, Galway Bay. It's a thriving here and is fairly desease free.

Rebecca- your roses are gorgeous but so much work. I live in Massachusetts. It is so difficult to even dig a hole 10 inches deep with all the rock, boulders and ledge so I try to buy only own root roses. I have gotten some wonderful own root roses from DA and have some more scheduled for delivery next week. I hope they add more own root to their collections. I recently ordered 'Queen of Sweden' and 'Windermere' which is by far my healthiest DA rose and covers herself with delicate soft blush pink blooms from early summer till fall. She is cane hardy in my Z5b-6a garden. The only negative is lack of the "to die for" strong perfume scent that Austins are so known for. sharon