Rugosas can be grown well in Florida. But you have to do it right. First, they don't do well on their own roots in hot climates, so it's important to graft them, and for Florida, 'Fortuniana' is the best rootstock for that. Secondly, realize that unlike other roses, you MUST not spray them with anything, ever. They're mostly pretty disease resistant, so that's ok, but chili thrips can be a problem. We do use some soil-applied imidaclopryd for them. Third, unless you don't mind once-flowering roses, be sure you get only those known to repeat-flower continuously. Those listed as "repeating" in a northern climate, but not strongly so, will be once-flowering here. In Lakeland, we've had good success with these: R. rugosa rubra R. rugosa alba Mary Manners Sarah Van Fleet Hansa F.J. Grootendorst Grootendorst Supreme White Grootendorst Pink Grootendorst I have not been happy with the repeat of Fru Dagmar Hastrup nor of Therese Bugnet. Basye's Purple is a beautiful thing when it flowers, but it doesn't repeat well and is never a beautiful shrub. Nevertheless, I keep it for those amazing flowers.

I grew roses in Central and S.E. Fl. from the mid 1970's till I moved in 2008 to N.E. GA. I went through a LOT of roses during that time. 99% were on fortuniana root stock. I sprayed for fungus that entire time. To me a healthy rose is a happy rose. Anyway, some of the best all around roses I ever grew were; Europeana, Charisma, Hannah Gordon, Lady of the Dawn, Hot Cocoa, Souv. de la Malmaison, The Fl Cracker Rose, Don Jaun, Louise Estes, Mavrik, Elizabeth Taylor, Uncle Joe, Kentucky Derby, Moonstone, Just about all the Austin Roses and all the mini's I put in 7 1/2 gal nursery pots and sunk them in the ground. I know I'm leaving out some great older rose. Check with Nelson's Roses. They carry a great selection of roses that have done great in Fl over the years.

I’m in the same area as Sultry, so fewer nematodes, and heavily amended soil. I add a lot of OM, as my only real defense of the nematode attacks. More OM means more predatory organisms to reduce the number of root knot nematodes. I don’t think the own-root roses can “fight off“ the nematodes. My understanding is that some varieties have more mass to their root systems, and can afford a little nematode nibble here and there. Others don’t have as many roots, so nematode attacks hit them harder. It also builds over years, so some will start off ok, but over time, without intervention, the nematode infestation will overcome the plant, and it dies. The benefit of Fort, is the root mass. It makes so many roots, that it can handle a bit of loss to the nematodes. My own-root Lady of Shalot is doing very well, as is my Abe. I also have an Abe on Fort, and don’t see much difference at this point, except that the Fort needs more water. Both of these are young plants, only 2-4 years old, so we‘ll just have to see how they do long term. I do recall a post some time ago about the breeding of Austins being a factor; some have better background to do well here than others. If he calls it a musk or tea, I’m more inclined to think it will do well here. Gallica or damask, not so much. It‘s all one big experiment, really! I’m amazed at what will actually grow in my little microclimate...I’ve not shared any of these lists with any of my plants, and have no intention of doing so. :-)

Not sure where you are located. I am in South Florida. I belong to the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society. We will be having a Rose Show April 27th and 28th at the Mounts Botanical Garden. You should come and look around. Mounts will also be having a plant sale that same weekend. And I think Cool Roses will be having some of their plants there too. They are on fortuniana root stock so if you live in Florida that has nematodes that would be the root stock you would like to use...... Plus at the show you can see and smell the roses and pick the ones that you like. Our society will also be holding educational seminars on growing roses. We would love to have people come. Here is a link that talks about the show http://www.gpbrs.org/events.htm