hi Jennifer... ...I'm not quite sure where you are when you say mid-atlantic.... but the 3 Austin's I grow here that are in shade caused by buildings, i.e. bright light but sun only from around 4pm May-July and 5pm or later August onwards... no sun at all during winter... would be... 'Thomas a Becket'...'Tranquillity'...and 'Royal Jubilee'... they all flower well and grow to a good height as small climbers... ...I don't know how these would do in a humid climate though..

I'm not sure about the leaves. I was thinking maybe an iron deficiency?? I think if your pH is off it can affect the way iron is taken up by the rose. I'm going to check my pH this weekend and see if it is either extremely high or low first. If it is off, I'll try to adjust it and see if that helps. If not, I may try to add a little iron and see if that helps. If anyone know for sure, please let me know. Thanks

hi diane - thanks for responding. i just checked with the state of california, department of agriculture, pest exclusion branch, 6 weeks ago. indeed, you are correct that i can't import plants with soil without extensive certification, but california says that cuttings are exempt from certification. in fact, they wrote me that bare-root roses are exempt as well. apparently, cal ag is concerned with pests in the soil (and perhaps to a lesser extent pests on leaves) but feels that stems/cuttings are safe. i don't know if idaho restricts exports, and you would of course have to be comfortable and interested. no worries if you're not. but i am happy to forward to you the go-ahead email i received from cal ag. i am johnsmolowe@gmail.com

@Sarena Altman My Spirit of Freedom normally last a week or so on the bush.... it would probably be longer but I get a lot of heavy wind... that being said it probably does better than most.. especially of my DA's. The only time that my SOF was actually lavender was one time when I made a cutting and put in a vase. The next morning it seemed to be lavender.... I did a double take and wondered what rose was that.... When I was outside the rose sure enough was pink... but... I do NOT get lavender roses every time I cut.... I have seen pictures from other's where it appears lavender.... I was just giving a warning in case you have something against lavender.... but I don't know when or why it turns.... I actually like it.... but I like it both ways... and it smells great. I sent a text to SoFl to see if she could post her picture.... I haven't heard from her lately... She doesn't post much any more. If she post it I will put a link here.