I just saw this today at Peter Schneider's open house near Ravenna, Oh 5b max. It was phenomenal and huge with beautiful flowers and yes, thorns, but I'm now thinking of finding space for it in my Cincinnati Z6 garden, I was so impressed. He doesn't not winter protect. I took a super lousy pic which I'll post when I return home if you like.

Wow!!! I can’t believe a climber that big stayed happy and thriving in a 5 gallon pot. That‘s one AMAZING rose. I actually have to do the exact opposite with my White eden Climber. We need to renovate and it MUST be moved. I don’t have a perfect spot for it yet... so I’m trying to figure out how to move it from its spot where its been growing happily for 8 years... into a pot. If you all have any words or wisdom or advice... please send it my way.

I have loved this rose since I first saw a group of about 6 or 7 young plants of it grown together in a nursery. What I like best about it is that its flat form and curly petals are so distinctive. Also the "old rose" color shadings and its fragrance that, while not powerful, does not disappoint in any way. I have not noticed any disease. I am growing mine on an arch in a north-facing exposure. It is fabulous in spring, with fall bloom that is increasing but not copious. I think if I grew it in more sun and with more fertilizer it might be more floriferous in the off season. I had no idea when I purchased it that it could reach 6' wide, and I do think its main fault here in zone 6b -7a is its tendency to get very big. I still haven't figured out how to prune it. Maybe its growth would be more restrained further north.

If black spot is an issue for you in zone 6a, I strongly recommend that your climber(s) should be none of your three named possibilities. Austins are not known for black spot resistance except for Olivia Rose and possibly one or two others. That's not too good in light of there being well over 100+ Austins that have been commercially introduced. My many Austins trialed over the past years were all black spotters. As soon as I decide this spring which roses are going to get shovel pruned, I hope to finally put in at least one Olivia Rose. This goal is long overdue, then our Kristine LeGault's strong recommendation of OR to me will be accomplished. Thanks Kristine! I only grew Jeannie Lajoie of the three you are eyeing, and then, that was many years ago. For me its flower was mini, but the bush was quite substantial...not by any means mini in stature. 12' basal canes were the rule. The basically barely scented, light pink bloom itself is 1.5", heavily petaled, high centered, and the bush's spring flush was spectacularly lavish here, to the point where the foliage was almost completely obscured by flowers. However, repeat blooming was sparse, never improving over the years. One JL could easily cover a 8-10' section of 4' high fence, planted on center, and given about 5 yrs. to do it. A bush at either base of your trellis would do the job. When my two bushes were finally dug out due to their annoyingly poor repeat bloom, and need of regular spraying for black spot, the crowns were a foot across! Ah yes, JL is a black spot magnet, just about 2/3 defoliating by mid-summer if not regularly fungicide sprayed. At least, that was my experience, and the same for all who grow JL around here. Do yourself a favor and go black spot resistant. Take a good hard look at Quicksilver, almost the perfect climber, which laughs at black spot. Moses