I grow this rose in a large pot in sunny California for the past three years. It is really an excellent rose. I agree with the peony desription. For me, this rose blooms throughout spring and summer. The blooms are many, heat-resistant, and they do not fade or shatter too quickly. The rose also has sharp thorns that grab on to you effortlessly.

Pat Austin is my most prolific bloomer, but she's also 9feet tall. Tons of flowers, but unfortunately blow quickly. Scepter D'Isle, same. Tons of blooms that blow quickly. Darcey Bussel is a good bloomer, the dark lady and Sophy's rose are both blooming machines. Evelyn is a favorite. Huntington rose blooms very well too. Charlotte is one of the best and has stayed compact. Tamora is also wonderful. Carding Mill gets some BS for me. Litchfield Angel is a decent bloomer and has great disease resistance. Oliva Rose (new this year) is EVERYTHING they said she'd be. In every aspect a great rose. Prolific, beautiful blooms that last, and one of the most disease resistant roses I grow. I'm very impressed with her and plan to get a few more next season.

Suebelle, I actually joined before 2001. More like 1998 or 99, but somehow it got changed to 2001. Maybe that was back when Spike sold us out. I dunno. And I've been "collecting" roses since 1990. That's why I have so many. But being here certainly has had an influence on my purchases. LOL And as far as missing blooms... not likely. I'm obsessed, so I'm out there every moment I can be, within reason. My problem is, I work so much and don't have time to keep on top of the fertilizing and pruning, and all the maintenance, so some of the roses don't do as well as they could. I'm hoping to change that issue this season tho. Even if it kills me..

I would presume part of it is merely marketing to generate sales and to pad the ever shrinking catalogue. I agree that the way they used to do it (which was simply stating "may be grown as a climber" makes more sense and is less confusing for the general rose buying public. Hopefully someone else with longer term experience may contribute, and the climate and microclimates in which you and other gardeners reside can make a huge difference, especially with the Austins. Other than the Knockout marketing tribe, I personally believe that there is no other group of roses (or nursery and its practices) that generate as intense differences of opinion as David Austin's "English roses". Several gardeners in places such as California experience them growing huge and rampantly often at the expense of producing good bloom/repeat bloom. Folks in places such as New York seem to appreciate their growth and floriferousness because the harsh winters and lesser sunlight limit their growth potential. Same for various diseases. For me, they do come down with black spot, but virtually everything does here to some degree, and they ARE more disease resistant than any typical gaunt wimpy hybrid teas here. May we inquire to your garden's general location? In letting us know, then you'll know whose opinions and experiences will most closely reflect your possible results. I have heard that Austin roses truly do take a good five years to settle in and perform well, but my one Lady Emma Hamilton on Dr. Huey seems to be dwindling here in the cold north after about seven years, The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild initially seemed to take off, but the winter of 2016-2017 was very hard on my roses and he sort of petered out, but we'll see how he does this year. My Gertrude Jekyll from 2016, and Munstead Wood and Lady of Shalott of 2017 actually are putting on size (slowly after over three years) and my Chianti on Dr. Huey seems to be taking off very well. I suppose patience would be a key word, and I don't always have enough of it! Steven