OK, I'm not in your climate or area, and my soil is totally different, but there is something to keep in mind about Multiflora roots where you are. This type doesn't do well on alkaline soil, and from what I remember, that's one common theme in much of Florida. So if you're planting these and have alkaline soil, you'll have to throw a lot of stuff in to tilt the pH at least to about neutral, and probably also supplement with iron.

Since you will also be battling root-knot nematodes, heavily amending the beds will be something you'll want to do, anyway. From what I remember reading, soils high in organic matter and topped with a thick layer of organic mulch will deter the nematodes. Another trick that I've read -- not just conjecture, but also in controlled studies -- is the benefit of underplanting with Marigolds to deter the nematodes.

As to the cultivars you mentioned, I've only ever grown one. But that was on Long Island, and I wasn't there long enough to tell you much -- even if it did apply to your conditions.

:-)

~Christopher

I live in Florida but only grow roses on fortuniana rootstock due to nematodes. However, I do take chances growing rose grafted trees. So far so good, but I do amend a lot and as the poster above stated, grow marigolds near them. I get my roses from Nelson's roses. I get mine mail order but they aren't to terribly far from you in Apopka.

They are just the nicest people ever to deal with. I always call them to see what they have since they don't list everything on their website.

Out of all the ones you ordered, I grow Huntington Rose, Geoff Hamilton and Claire Austin. Hutington and Claire are awesome. Both are very disease resistant for me (although they should still be sprayed from April-October. Both bloom profusely and last well on the bush. Claire out performs Huntington in the vase but neither is particularly good as a cut flower, but will last 3-4 days. Putting them in the fridge for a few hours after cutting is pretty much essential or they wont last more than a day or two.

Geoff Hamilton I've had for only a year and its on Dr. Huey. It did HORRIBLY for me (it never bloomed and was just a few twigs with no leaves). I pulled it out of the ground and potted it up and its doing MUCH better. You must keep in mind that Fortuniana root stock is not just good because of its nematode resistance. Its better for Florida because it has the ability to extract both nutrients and water from our sandy soils. So nematodes or not, Fortuniana is still a better choice over all.

Multiflora is destined to fail. Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but I tried them once too and they didnt last even a year.

Pot up your Dr. Huey roses and get yourself some on Fortuniana for your garden beds (K&M offers many Austins) they are worth the extra $$$

Thank you guys for all the info anymore would be awesome!! :) .. I do want to comment on planting marigolds around roses. ( or at least veggies) I did my research on this a while ago Bc we moved and I tilled up a plot to plant veggies and read on some university site that the marigolds have to be a certain kind ( theres 2 types, I think 2? to deter nematodes) and there are other marigolds that actually attract some of the bad nematodes that will tear up the plants roots. ( I was thinking possibly counts for roses also?) it does sound silly but you can look it up if your skeptical. i can't remember the names of which kinds they where bc it's been a while since I was crazy ab researching on how to deter nematodes. And Thanks SoFlo for telling me ab K n M roses!! I'm dying to find Austins on fortuniana!! ( i do have more roses on fortuniana than not but I can't help purchasing a rose I adore no matter how it comes.) The Tampa nursery Only sells Abraham Darby and Tamora. I have 3 of each Bc I'm obsessed with many petaled blooms!! If can't find what rose I want on fortuniana then I buy it however I can find it sold. I did a lot of research on Multiflora last night and found it is better to buy on own root Bc Multiflora is for colder weather and is " least satisfactory" and doesn't last long but It really sucks to hear it didn't even last a year for you !! I wanted Pomponella SOO bad n bought 2 on Multiflora :( plus some others and I just ordered 2 Edens, florentina, jasmina & Laguna last night on Multiflora ! :( so now I feel like crying!! I guess I should've asked before purchasing!! does anyone know where I can purchase these roses not on Multiflora?? ....SOFL and DOLLFANZ I would give dr Huey a try again. I have a friend (much older, who's grown roses way longer than me ) who has dr. Huey planted in the ground in Tampa Fl and they've been there 8 years that're big n beautiful ! I saw them with my own eyes! I do know she ammends her soil like crazy but next time I see her I will ask her what she does to keep them alive n thriving for so long. I bought a few fortunianas a couple months ago & I plan on t- budding or chip budding my own roses ( not under patent) onto fortuniana one sweet day!! I've been learning as much as I can ab it and can't wait to do so successfully but my fortunianas are still babies.

SoFl what part of Florida do u live in? I read a lot ab fortuniana they're saying it's the best out there... Period! More blooms, better disease resistance and a long long life. The downfall was, is that it's not very Hardy plus it has to be staked Bc it's very fibrous but I read it gets a taproot on it the size of pine trees! Also That research is finding out now that after a year or so fortuniana isn't frost sensitive. I read studies from the university of Florida that showed there is no comparison to the fortuniana rootstock. Own root roses do send out more basal canes but smaller in size and no matter what rootstock a rose is grown on ( even own root) fortuniana always out performs any other as far as vigor and the number of blooms it produces. I can't say so for myself Bc I've only been growing roses a few years but I do believe in the evidence of research. So if I lived further north I would at least give fortuniana a try & protect it from the cold for the first couple of years. I wish I could find any rose I wanted on fortuniana!! So many roses are so hard to find on fortuniana Bc of their patent

Rachel, Cool Roses also has - will have - David Austin's on Fortiuana rootstock probably in the fall or at least by next Jan. I was out at their nursery and they were starting the grafts. You should call and reserve any that are your must haves.... Also, if there is a must have that is not listed on their website, just act Geoff. They have many more than listed. They list only the ones that they normally have lots of. However, he does custom grafts. But ask now so it has time for the graft to take and you should be good to go in the fall or January..... which is really when our Florida roses put on their shows.

Hi! I live in NWFL (8b) an hour east of Pensacola and I grow only own root roses because I don't want to deal with rootstock growing and having to prune it off. I'm pretty new to roses so I only had mine for a full year and they are going into their second spring. I bought all Austins except for 1 Eden. Not sure if there are nematodes this far north since I am like 50miles from Alabama. I guess I'll find out the hard way! But I do amend the soil per HR's instructions and I add a banana peel to the bottom of the planting hole if I have one. My soil is sandy in some areas and loamy in others. Also I want to have a no spray garden but if I do see a TON of blackspot or aphids I will spray. I want to try the cornmeal or baking soda trick I've seen on gardenweb to control those issues since I like cheap and organic gardening. Of those I got last year:

INGENIOUS MR. FAIRCHILD: the first year it was in a spot that recieved 4-5 hours of sun (E side of house) and it grew thin, thorny spindly canes and didn't bloom at all. So this spring I moved it to the NE side of my yard and it gets a TON of sun @least 6-8 hours and so far it's looking good after the transplant with new canes and leaves within a two week period after the move. No blackspot in both locations! Hopefully it will bloom!

JAMES GALWAY: I love love love this rose! I planted him E side of my house next to a brick column near my porch. I'm trying to grow him as a climber or pillar and he's doing great! He got a lot of good sun and the breeze was good there! He got afternoon shade from my house. He's also planted right next to a sprinkler. He bloomed so well his first year! And no black spot all growing season except for after winter which I removed those leaves and he grew new ones fast! Not sure if this year I should remove leaves to prepare for winter. He responds so good to pruning and is covered with like 7 buds. He had one octopus cane last year that I didn't prune the tip so I don't see a bud and I tied it horizontal the other day to try to produce canes off it so we'll see if that works. The flowers smelled faintly last year if you get your nose in the bloom and inhale but it was a good smell. Really pretty apricot pink or medium pink blooms. It was my favorite last year!

HERITAGE: I have 3 of these in my front garden near my house (E side). I need to do some rearranging because i want to move 2 of them in an 18inch triangle to make one big bush. They get 4-5 hours of morning sun. They bloomed very well! Smelled really good! But I found out the blooms shatter quick if you cut them for the vase. So I plan on just letting them stay on the bush. Pretty light pink blooms. They did BS a little during the end of growing season and a lot in winter so this spring I took off like all the leaves. Bounced back fast after that and pruning it with really heathy leaves and is budding now!

EDEN: I am growing as a climber on the W side of my house against a tall brick wall. It's still short though. About 1.5feet. About 6-7 hours of sun. There's a garden web post about hook anchors with galvanized wire in the brick and her climbing roses were gorgeous like that!! This rose is my second favorite in my garden! BS's a little where it is because my house is on a pond and it's humid in the backyard, but it's not enough to spray. I just pick the infected leaves off. Loves fertilizer and has a bunch of buds forming. Also had a really thick cane shoot up this year! The buds are so big on some of the thin canes they are almost touching the ground. I should probably tie those up. Planted near a sprinkler and does good there.

OF MY NEW ONES I bought this year (recieved 2 weeks ago!) and planted in a garden bed I got the pleasure of filling since the previous owners of the house had nothing in it except for some boxwoods:

GOLDEN CELEBRATION: planted in partial sun. Looks green and no BS yet. Heard mixed reviews on the BS issue so we'll see.

CROCUS ROSE: planted in partial sun. Heard nothing but good things. So hopefully it will be good.

MOLINEUX: in at least 6 hours of sun. With shade halfway in between the day. Really straight up growth from what I see from the nursery. It's kinda stiff and weird looking compared to the other roses I've bought so it's new to me. Heard a lot of good things so I have high hopes this works out.

LICHFIELD ANGEL: planted in 6-8 hours of sun. Thin canes from the nursery plant so I hope it gets stronger canes.

I want to plant an older Austin, SYMPHONY rose when HR has it ready to sell next year.

also, I have two lady banks yellow roses on my backyard fence that are a year old. They are not in an ideal location for them, about 5-6 hours of sun and the rest shade or dappled sun. I hope when it gets bigger and climbs the fence it will get better sun to bloom. It BSed a little but it's in a not ideal spot, 10 feet from a pond so that's my fault. I plan to leave it be and see if it survives since I hear they are pretty tough... Well I hope that helps and I'm curious to see how your own roots do! Good luck!