HI Andrea, I'm sorry, I missed this one until your other post about the bands. Yes ma'am, you can leave it as you've repotted until more new growth begins, or, if it's raining with any regularity, or quite cool and damp, remove the collar and soil. It depends mostly on the condition of the plant when received and the conditions under which it is being held. We had a brief period here last week of temps in the high 80s, very low humidity, brilliant sun with wind. Now, we're back into the high 60s to mid 70s, relatively higher humidity with fog and high clouds. If I'd planted a bare root under the hotter, windier, drier weather, I would have collared it here. Under what we're experiencing now, I'd likely just plant it, presuming it was well hydrated and in great shape when I received it. I'd collared quite a few of the longer cuttings I removed from the wraps for the same reason. They kept right on developing and new roots were evident at the cup and band bottoms, so I have removed the collars from those showing roots to let them harden off during this milder weather. They weren't pushing well during the hot, sunny, dry, windy period but are now they aren't stressed by the harsher weather they endured. Now, roots are pushing rather quickly. I actually lifted nearly fifty higher in their bands and cups this morning, providing them greater soil room under them to continue pushing roots in to. So, if pots aren't drying out quickly in the conditions you're experiencing now, don't worry about it. Either way is probably fine. If it's hotter and sunnier, just keep it collared and watered then begin removing the soil an inch or two at a time once the plant is pushing new leaves and canes vigorously. I hope it helps! Thank you! Kim

Hi Maria, Thank you. I like the show that the Jasmine puts on annually, and am possibly going to add Arabian Jasmine near my RdV in the front yard. All of my own root roses, with the exception of two (purchased as one gallon plants), were planted in September when it began cooling off during the night. YL is a bare root rose on Dr. Huey, planted during the winter. The pot and roses in this side yard section; most of which are Austin's, all receive about two hours of early morning sun, and then thanks to the balcony and house, they are shaded or in open shade, then they receive about two to 2/12 hours of early afternoon sun. They are in total shade during the hottest part of the day. At my last home, I grew a floribunda in a pot where it remained for 5 years and thrived. It only received about 4-4.5 hours of sun. I have only grown one rose in a pot long term and tried to replicate the conditions. The Young Lycidas was potted in late January. Jaspermplants, I am purchasing a Bougainvillea today, for a pot I purchased yesterday:). I've read that they like cramped roots and do well in pots. I would not place roses in pots here either, except for the area in question. There's a large tree slightly in front but to the North of the area, plus a patio/ balcony and house to the east of it. Lynn This post was edited by desertgarden561 on Thu, May 1, 14 at 22:40

I find this is a very common 'problem' with some Austins (Claire Austin, Golden Celebration, Jude the Obscure). For the first couple of seasons, they are quite lax and flexible and really struggle to bear the weight of blossom. However, after a couple of seasons, especially with a decent pruning regime, they stiffen up nicely, getting extra girth and more basals. I also use a secondary support usually made up of old fruit tree prunings or hazel or willow or whatever comes to hand, really. Ideally, I am looking for stout forked branches where I can rest the floppy canes in a V shaped stick of seasoned wood. Obviously, this would look a bit duff in a very neat or formal garden but in my jungly chaos, it works a treat.

Thanks Jackie. I wasn't sure that the DA site would fully define them. Both of these bushes are less than 3 months old, so I probably won't be able to tell much now anyway. I have 11 David Austins. Maybe I will be able to smell more next spring. andrea