skip to main content

'The Dark Lady'

5 years ago

It's not a strong grower on its own roots, and it can be troubled by mildew, but, DANG . . . It's fragrant, and the 4.5-inch blooms are spectacular.

Featured Answer

jerijen
Original Author

5 years ago

Debby, I bet yours is budded, and I think that's the best way to grow it. But . . . My first Dark Ladies were own-root. They bloomed well, but didn't grow, and turned out to be the worst-virused roses I've ever owned.
Then, we tried buying budded ones, but THEY turned out to be some unidentified pink HT that rusted solid.
THEN we got these. I assume they're virused tho that hasn't shown ... but I they've never grown tall enough to get ample sun.
We're not giving up on them, though. Not when they can produce blooms like this.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Lisa Adams
5 years ago
Gorgeous, Jeri! It’s so nice to still have such beautiful blooms at this time of year. I’m thinking you’ll have blooms for the Thanksgiving table......Lisa
debbym, Tempe, AZ Zone 9
5 years ago
In my hot climate (Phoenix area), this rose is the best Austin by far, in my opinion. Can't remember, but it is probably grafted. Blooms constantly, very healthy and fragrant. Love, love, love this rose.
Related Discussions
'The Dark Lady'
Q
Comments (21)
Well, I wouldn't be doing it with The Dark Lady. These plants are 12-14 INCHES tall. But, for the ones that DO grow like Octopi -- Yes. I believe that would work. I can't answer for sure, because I haven't done it, but I think it might help. When we were experimenting with Austins (late '80's - early '90's) we believed the descriptions, and planted appropriately. (Say, 4-5-ft., for Graham Thomas -- etc.) When the purported 4-footers shot out 15-ft canes, we had no where to spread them out, laterally. We tried Self-Pegging. That worked with some of them, but it was a helluva lot of work for roses that mildewed, even when sprayed religiously. As a result, most of the Austins are long-gone. We have 6-8 of 'Golden Celebration,' 2 of 'Cymbaline,' and 3 of 'Prospero.' (And two own-root Dark Ladies.) I hate to think about the money we spent -- but I suppose it bought us lessons-learned. Jeri
...See More
WANTED: my plant list for the swaps --
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Amazin , sorry I'm new at this web stuff ( mostly just a lurker) and couldn't find were I wrote to you the 1st time ... me feel so dumb with this puter stuff... but yes I have 9 begonias and 6 are from Logee's, some are named and other are ( pass a along's ) ..... Named ones= Begonia " Richardsiana" B." Snow Capped " B. "Tea Rose" B. "Hot Tamale" B. "Good and Plenty " B, "Tiny Gem " B. " Silver Queen " The Richardsiana has in pass week took a big flop , and so not sure whats up with it , taken it back into house , hope it was just heat stroking from 100 + daze we have been in for pass couple of weeks here in nastyville , so not sure about it. Two other's unknown named ones but pretty just the same and last one I think mite be B. " Sophia Cecile " not sure. I see you have " My Special Angel " have been looking at it in the catalogs . sorry I'm so long winded.... but sure there must be something in your long list that we can work with . P.s. I wont make it to any plant swap so..... not sure how we would do this if we've a mind to ???? But thanks for your time and effort if thats the only way .
...See More
If you're tired of seeing my yard don't look!
Q
Comments (15)
Thank you ALL for looking and commenting on my latest obsessive activities ... LOL Yes Lisa, you're right, TGO! Bob painted the high part of the trim the first time around, but the color was too dark. So, he suggested that his TGO wife paint it the second time (and it was painted a third time which I didn't tell him). He did put the ladder up for me though while shaking his head .... :-) While I was up there I touched up the antiquing color on the big Roman faces plaque that's right under the peak even though nobody ever looks up there to see it..
...See More
My Personal Aust-Insanity!
Q
Comments (14)
My Mom got the first DA rose, Golden Celebration, the year it came out, 92, I think and it is still here. Later I got Graham Thomas as a mislabel. About 5 years ago I thought I'd try something pink so I got Queen of Sweden and Jubilee Celebration. I'm not real impressed with any of them. GC can be gorgeous when it's in its spring flush and it does smell divine but so far the rest aren't anything to write home about. Also, they are all water hogs and spot magnets for me! Having been an exhibitor I guess I just prefer the HT form better myself. I have no trouble wintering any of them really but I'm a full zone warmer than you, Steven. Madison, Dr. Huey and Multiflora are the preferred root stocks for cold zones. Dr. Huey was almost exclusive for decades until the Canadians started using Multiflora with good results. Now almost all the roses from the Canadian mail order nurseries are on Multiflora. The only root stock I wouldn't recommend is Fortuniana. It is marvelous in warm climates and really pushes big, fast growth but it has a habit of rooting very shallow so it is very freeze tender. I know a few people who have managed to get it to survive but it takes a lot of effort and protection.
...See More
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
5 years ago
Oh yes, the Dark Lady. I used to have this rose, and in my soil it was fire engine red! Nothing like the gorgeous bloom above; I could not believe that horrid color. It didn't last long after that first bloom cycle.
jerijen
Original Author
5 years ago
I can understand that. I had a rose once that was a gift . . . It was vigorous, bloomed constantly, and disease-free. But it was such a shrieking warm red that it was enough to blind you. By common-consent, we removed it after one year.
Rose Paris
last year
Mine is a lovely muted red, but it's not really "dark" like Munstead Wood or The Prince. And even though it's in the same bed as those two, it hasn't really taken off. It has stayed really small, tiny even, yet despite that, it produces these lovely blooms that have more fragrance than I would have thought based on what I have read, so I am keeping it around for now to see if it does better in its second summer.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: A Famed ‘Painted Lady’ Gets a Gorgeous Update

Join us as we walk with the homeowners through one of San Francisco's landmark Victorians, lovingly restored

Bachelorette Pad: Design Ideas for the Self-Made Lady

By Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Reflect Your Personal Style With Color, Texture, and Welcoming Details

DECORATING GUIDES 9 Ways to Use Rich, Dark Paint

By Jason Ball Interior Design

See how deep colors — navy blue, charcoal, dark chocolate — can bring out your home's best details

BLACK Design Trends: Plunging Into Deep Dark Walls

By Becky Harris

DECORATING GUIDES So Your Style Is: Darkly Romantic

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Envelop yourself in mysterious luxury with deep colors, rich textures and unexpected details

BLACK Guest Picks: Dining in the Dark

By Kristin Guy | Dine X Design

Give your kitchen and dining room a hit of sophistication with serving pieces, cookware and kitchen tools in moody black

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Achillea Millefolium for Dry California Gardens

By Debbie Ballentine

Yarrow attracts painted ladies and scares off garden thugs in native habitats and vegetable gardens

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating the Haus of Gaga

By Vanessa Brunner

Our designs for Lady Gaga's house

PLANTING IDEAS Ferns: A Shade Gardener’s Best Friend

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring rich texture and contrast to a dark woodland landscape with wonderfully diverse ferns

GUESTHOUSES Houzz Tour: An Elegant Studio Apartment Over the Garage

By Becky Harris

A dark space full of odd angles becomes a beautiful and functional college apartment

Sponsored

Manifesto, Inc.

9 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 2x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

K&M Roses Rare Austin Report!

45

mislabeled rose - High country roses

14

"Old Town Novato"

1

ID on old Spanish Rose

5

Pink Rose - ID please

3