I have Ballerina on a western exposure, but it gets considerably more than 5-6 hours of sun during the summer. It gives a good main flush, then starts the naked and barely blooming part. I don't care, which is why I still have it, but it sounds like you want something more attractive there.

How about a nice R. primula. That is the sort of thing that can handle a lot of shade, particularly if some of the shade is from deciduous trees.

Thank you, madgallica. You're correct in that I want something attractive there since it's on my main upper beds. I'm watching closely to see how much sun it actually gets as the shade is from a spruce that is planted on the lower level (so no root competition). I just happen to have these roses so wasn't looking to buy anything else this year. I'd put in a hydrangea, but it's too sunny for that : (, and it's too prominent a spot for a week or two of bloom from peonies. Hmmm. Maybe I'll just plant some part shade perennials, although I've tried to get away from that upkeep. Foxgloves would look pretty. I''l look up r. primula.

I got Ballerina by accident, so I'll just put her on the lower level and enjoy her main flush and ignore her the rest of the summer. I can put her next to the Dr. Huey I keep and they can swap BS stories. ; )She actually looked really good in more northern Ohio, but that's sandy loam and I'm more loamy clay.

You're making this hard, Diane! : ) That is gorgeous!!!!! and looks just like my sweet little blooms that would echo those of Tooth Fairy across the way. Is she 6' around or more wide.... and much more that 3'-4'? I suppose I don't have much to lose unless one of the others mentioned above would do better, as I can always "banish" her next year. Thanks for the tip on acid fertilize; we have very basic soil and limestone foundation and retaining walls that surround the beds..

Do the hybrid musks prefer some acidic fertilizer, or is it just Ballerina? I too, have very alkaline soil. (Sorry about the highjack, vaporvac). My Bubble bath only gets about 4-5 hours of morning sun, and is in bright shade the rest of the day. It still has blooms, and it began in April. I'm not in BS country, though. Lisa

Thank you, vaporvac. If you have really basic soil, you can use soil acidifier, too. My ballerina had chlorosis several years ago, and by using this, and then the next year, the fertilizer, we've pretty much banished chlorosis around here. Yes, Lisa, hybrid musks supposedly don't like alkaline soil. Hence the chlorosis. But if you only have slightly basic soil, you might not even have a problem.....Vaporvac, you mean there's a rose named Tooth Fairy? How cute. I need to look it up. Diane

I'm going to do that to a few of my roses; things get very chlorotic here. This space isn't in dark shade during the day, just no direct sun.Lisa, I'm happy for anyone to even read my posts and I'm always up for any info on Hybrid Musks since I seem to have acquired a few this year. How did I miss they like it acid? Woops. This is why I'm so torn about using Ballerina.... it's so charming!

Diane, here's my little paean to Tooth Fairy aka Bag Tooth! http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4688328/tooth-fairy-aka-bagtooth?n=3

I got her from Burling last year. She'll often blush pink .Very healthy and a vigorous grower and bloomer with a sweet fragrance.

I remember your post now, once I saw that first photo. Tooth fairy is adorable and would work so well with Ballerina. And I'm glad you'll be trying something to acidify your soil. It can make all the difference. It may take more than one application, depending on how alkaline your soil is. I hope this all works out for you. Diane

Real alkaline, limestone based or chalky soils cannot be acidified due to their extreme buffering capacity. What can be done is create a temporarily acidic environment around the roots by using an acidifier in the irrigation water or using an acidic fertilizer (e.g. ammonium sulphate) so the roots can absorb some nutrients while it lasts.

Btw, Ballerina can climb given a chance. I'm growing one in a brugmansia. I also find it pretty shade tolerant (for a rose..).

Narrow Water is very shade-tolerant, too.

I grew Ballerina some years ago and it was such a trooper - I kept moving it around and it did really well in part shade. I doubt it received 5 hours of sun - probably 4. No only are the blooms delightful, but I loved the spray of hips.

Swamp_rose, where in Z6 do you live? Do you have high BS pressure? Any thoughts on the other choices above? Again, low and wide is best for this space. Thank you so much for these suggestions. P.S. I think I spied NW at the RFR's sale.

I'd give Ballerina a try since you have her. She has been both shade and sun tolerant for me. In all day sun, her blooms fade quicker. In shade, they remain pinker longer. We get blackspot here, and she did shed some leaves, but she grew more. I don't spray. Blooms all summer. Really, I'd give her a shot for a while. She does take a little time to grow into her own (like most Hybrid Musks). I'd still grow her in my garden if I hadn't given her to a dear friend who wanted a low maintenance, continuous blooming rose for a shade garden. Carol

Hello Vaporvac - I've only ever grown Ballerina. Yes I think there was some BS, but it didn't seem to slow it down much.

I just wanted to update that since putting Ballerina in the ground in this spot she's given me two (going on three) huge panicles of bloom, and has remained midge-free wrapped in her shroud. I hope she's happy here permanently. I may give in to spraying something if she goes back to her BSy ways, but she's significantly improved in that regard. I'll continue updating.

Thanks for the update! I hope Ballerina continues to enjoy her new site. Carol

Yay! I'd love to see a picture of it, and your other hybrid musks:) Lisa

Lisa, I'm afraid those pics wouldn't be too impressive as she's surrounded by black plastic, but I'll see what I can do.Now that I have the midge under control for the pot pets, I hope to get some blooms on the others. Bubble Bath has a few buds as well as Penelope finally! I missed a couple on Felicia and Sally Holmes as I was away again. Still waiting for Lavender Lassie and Belinda to do something.

I'll post pics of some others that are blooming, such as Blossom Time, Parade and Aloha. I think my favourite this year is Cl. Clotilde Soupert. There is something about that rose.