Thank you, trospero. I've never had an issue with rust. I grew Tradescant many years ago and was looking to possibly replace it. I find it interesting that is sold out everywhere.

The David Austin nursery in Texas shows it in their online catalogue. A little pricey, but all of their roses are. I suspect it's one they may be starting to phase out before too long, so it's worth trying from them. In my opinion, Munstead Wood is a better purple, and The Dark Lady is a more consistent bloomer, but you know what you want having grown it before. Mine is hardy and reasonably happy, and like you I don't get appreciable rust in my zone.

Cynthia

DA roses have seemed pricey to me in the past, but boy, do they grow! The company stands behind their product - if there is ever a problem, they will rectify. And check out Jackson Perkins prices - some of them are starting to be more than DA roses, some of Heirloom Roses bands are $27.........so the DA roses to me are starting to look like a good deal.

Judith

Has anyone successfully ordered Tradescant from DA-USA for 2017? It's listed in the print catalogue and online, but is showing "out of stock" for pre-order, which is very strange. I've been waiting two years for this superseded variety, to no avail it seems.

You might also consider Munstead Wood. I have grown Tradescant for years, and it has been a good rose for me. (I have 2 plants.) However, Munstead seems like an improved Tradescant. Its repeat is quicker, it's a bushier plant and the bloom color and fragrance are close. Carol

I would call them tomorrow to ease your mind, romogen. They may have some.

I received mine last season after being sent a mis-labelled plant (The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild) the season before that.

I'm very glad to have gotten it. Seems to be a sprawly thing in season one. The most intricate, deepest crimson blooms with touches of black red in autumn changing to the darkest royal purple. Fragrance definitely got stronger as the season progressed. A true rose scent to my nose.

Good luck!

Steven

Carol, I already have Munstead Wood.

I heard back from DA Tyler, TX, today and was told they are no longer carrying Tradescant and it won't be available this year

Too bad romogen. They seem to be in the middle of a transition. I ordered an own root MW and a grafted Huntington Rose (since that was all they had) and who knows what I get since they seem to be transitioning to potted own root maybe I'll get that, except Oregon may not let that in. I may have to call too.

Angel Gardens is listed on HMF. Mine came from Heirloom back in the day. You could try contacting either of those nurseries for a special order rooting. Heirloom once sent me a rose not currently offered. I believe Angel Gardens does custom orders. Carol

I can't imagine Tradescant thriving as an own root plant. Garden Valley Ranch has a row of them planted for the cut flower trade, yet in the past five years I haven't seen the grafted plants reach past my kneecaps. I vaguely recall seeing some online pics of it grown as a short climber, so it does have vigor... somewhere.

FYI, DA-USA has hired new employees in the ordering center that know absolutely nothing about roses. It was challenging getting them to go off script. I asked how many tree roses of Lady Emma Hamilton were in stock, she told me 1,200+ plants. I reiterated that tree roses were not the same as bareroot bush roses. I was placed on hold as she asked someone else for help. I was subsequently told that the bush roses were the same as climbers and tree roses, and just need to be pruned and "shaped" to your requirements. I told her tree roses are very different, they're grafted to look like lollipops versus bush roses and must have a different inventory number. She didn't believe me, got exasperated, and our tense conversation ended shortly thereafter.

This is quickly devolving into a J&P Roses experience. The only thing worse would be routed to India or some other foreign country's call center for customer service.

Good to know. Maybe a call wouldn't help much.

romogen,

DA USA refer in their site to 'tree' roses as 'standard' roses, which is the term used in England. Maybe if you had enquired about their 'standards'? (pun intended)

I live near Tyler and the DA plant [which they are expanding with a new building and offices] and when I call the Tyler number, which I think is the only US number, I get one of the office staff, who are very knowledgeable. I was just there recently and picked up my catalog. However I have not called since my order last year, so things might have changed.........but their office staff know the roses well.