Linda, my words will be totally irrelevant to you and your garden, but I am growing St Swithun, based on the gorgeous photos on the DA website and their vaguely hopeful words about disease resistance. I've had him 2 years, starting out as a tiny slip of an own-root plant from Heirloom. I went out to take a peek at him. He is about 4 feet tall with maybe 7 or 8 canes. He's a thorny bugger and has had few leaves which isn't unusual in my garden. I can't remember seeing any flowers yet. but you know what they say about climbers sleeping and leaping. I also grow Hyde Hall right next to him. He is pretty similar except that I do think he has bloomed but I missed it. Last growing season was lost to me - similar to that proverbial tree that falls in the forest when no one is there. I am going to stick it out with them no matter what with visions of Rick's photos dancing in my head. BTW I plan to espalier them against a fence. Rick, being a Floridian, I thought I'd throw out a dumb question. Why don't you lay down St Swithun in the winter so he's below the snow line? Just curious. I hope we all have beautiful blooms this year. Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

Hi Kate, I have a Wedgewood that I just adore! I bought it in April of this year, and I am almost certain that the Nursery had potted it up after receiving it bare root in January of this year. WE have had months of rain this summer, and this rose does not have a speck of disease. She is a little droopy, but nothing that would be a problem. I think it lends grace to her delicate appearance. Her floweres do have a delicacy about them. Not great as a cut flower, but blooms hold on the bush about 4 or 5 days. I know if something were to happen to this rose , I would reorder it IMMEDIATELY - maybe sooner. St. Swithun is also gorgeous - you have a tough decision. Luck to ya! Gracin

Wow Deborah !! Ten by ten ... sounds unstoppable. And that makes me rethink it . That's just so big ! I do have a new part of my bed in my mind but I wanted the new austins and they are large too. But it can hold a clematis, so bonus points for that ! Your photos are perfect, thank you for sharing them. Rebecca , thanks for telling us how they did for you as well. I didn't note the thorns , that's a good point to think on. Yours look beautiful! Did you have problems with the blooms opening? Tangles , sorry yours died on you. Sometimes pots are tough, and sometimes the perfect home for them . My st Cecilia is new this year from h and m roses . It has grown so much and keeps going with blooms . Although every time is has a good flush , we get rain that batters the blooms and they only look good from afar. But the fragrance is straight out of heaven! I'm hoping my fall flush will look better. It won't be leaving my garden , maybe I need an umbrella for it :) there is much more depth and substance to the blooms than earth angel. I hope you get it and enjoy it ! Flowers that's awesome she sells a lot of clematis too ! I don't have much luck nearby with interesting ones so have to order online.

Saint Swithun at its best is simply stunning! These are bloom shots from a few years ago in my garden in Eastern Ontario. St. Swithun died way back there each winter, but then proceeded to grow back rampantly to 5 or six feet each spring and produce lots of blooms like those above. This rose bloomed most plentifully during the spring flush for me with moderate repeat bloom thereafter. I suspect it blooms best when sheared back quite hard in spring, though it can also be grown as a climber and produces laterals if the branches are espaliered. I brought a plant of this rose grown from a cutting of the plant pictured above here to Southern B. C. two years ago and have planted it in rich soil in a corner. It put on some good growth this summer and I expect it to take off next season, 4th year after striking the cutting. I will be growing it as an espaliered climber here in my small backyard garden. It is a favorite and so gets a spot in my limited collection. In fact, I think this is my favorite pink rose. This will be one of the varieties that will be planted in the expanded English Rose collection at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens here in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia next spring as well. Cheers, Rick