I like that website. I think it is from MN

I visited his nursery last summer, it's beautiful and he is a cool dude. I believe he grows his own roses for the most part, but I'm sure he would respond to an email or phone call. I bought both of the Dakota roses and they are doing pretty well here - maybe Patty will see this and give her feedback - she's a better grower and note taker than I am! Last time I looked at them they had green canes, will check later today though.

Well I wish I could say more. These were planted on the late side last year and the heat turned on soon after. So they did not get to have that early spring growth spurt that my others did. Julie made a dream come true when she picked some for me on her trip. I had wanted these two since the first day they were offered. So to start with thats a lot of anticipation to live up to.

They were both own root roses. Dakota Sun was the most vigorous of the two. There was no black spot and just a touch of mildew when I let the ground dry to much. It bloom enough to get a good look at the flower form but like most Austins it is too young to say much. I was really on a healthy yellow kick. Determined to find some really good ones for my area. Buy the end of this coming season I should have a good idea which of my many yellows are going to shine the brightest.

So far Julia Childs and Lemon Fizz have made that list.

Dakota Song has a gorgeous flower and bloomed quite a bit for being so young. It stayed healthy but did not grow all that much last year.

Went out and looked at mine, they both still have green canes and it's been pretty cold here (we hit at least -13). Dakota Sun is larger than Dakota Song.

The Dakotas are not Austins. Kedem's website has the breeder a Mr. Robert Smith. I think Mr. Smith lives in Minn. and is breeding for his own climate. I gathered that the bushes do stay small. Dingo, green canes in Chicago in Feb. is good. Patty, staying healthy is good also. Were your plants own root or grafted?

They are own root. I believe Mr. Smith is in South Dakota so yes breeding for cold climate. As far as I could tell when looking for these two, Sam introduced them and is propagating them as well. My Dakota Sun is maybe three feet, but as Patty said, planted late and hot out, so they may get a little bigger as time goes on. HMF doesn't describe either of them as being overly large. Seriously - if you have questions give them a call, Mr. Kedem was so nice when I was there!

Thank you, I will call tomorrow.

I'm sorry that did not read right. Yes, I know they are not Austins. What I meant was that Austin blooms tend to improve as the rose becomes established. Since The Dakota roses are an english style bloom they might improve with time. Dakota Sun's bloom only lasted a few days. It paled to very light yellow in 1 day.

Thank you for the review, rosesmi5a. I have about decided to wait for next year on the Dakotas, because of some rarities showing up on various websites around the country, which have not been offered in years and might not be available again.

Which roses are you refering, mcnastarana? I have Dakota song, from Sam Kedem but the rabbits have nibbled it down almost completely. The branches sticking maybe an inch out of the soil are still green though!

Rose Fire has an alba, 'Jeanne d'Arc' not available anywhere else--and NOT the same rose which a company called Vintage Bloomers was selling in the early 00s. I plan to call them tomorrow to confirm availability and then send an order with payment. I was also considering 'Siwa' at Heirloom, but either it is sold out or the website is hallucinating, or both. I am also not getting any younger, and hole digging seems harder each year.

I have rabbit damage also. And woodchucks in summer, ate all my bush beans last summer. Grrr. I hope your Dakota grows back.