Who has Annie Laurie McDowell in SoCal?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I have been reading about this rose ALMcD...and the descriptions seem to good to be true (fragrant bushy climber that wants to bloom with her good disease resistance). I wonder those in SoCal zones 9-10, has this rose done well? How does it behave in partial shade during the afternoon (does it need all day sun)? Is it self cleaning or is it like iceberg which requires constant deadheading? Does it get powdery mildew?

Two relatively recent pink roses I started growing are Bishop‘s castle and Belinda’s Dream and both have powdery mildew. Perhaps they will grow out of it but it looks ghastly. BC is worse than BD.

My other roses have never gotten PM like these two!

I read some growers having to disbud to allow the rose to grow, is it a weak grower?

Lastly and most importantly, who sells this rose? Is it one that gets around through cuttings from growers?

Thanks you for sharing your thoughts on ALMcD!

Featured Answer

Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR

4 years ago

I got my two ALMD from Burling. She was not confident they would grow, so she kindly sent me two in hopes that one would grow. They did grow and are doing well own root. One needs patience. I'm wondering if the complainers to Burling made her lose hope, when really the fault was theirs. I also got a Moyesii she did not want to charge me for because it was so small. It took a while, but it is doing well. I got a Spanish Beauty, Mme Gregoire Staechelin, from Greenmantle and it was also slow. I kept it in a pot until I was more confident it could make it in the ground and it is also doing well. Bart remarked on this rose having beautiful foliage. Mine, while in a pot, mostly had horrible foliage until the end of it's 18 month pot life. Finally it grew some healthy foliage and I finally planted it in the ground where it is doing well. Some of these roses are great beauties, but challenging to sell no doubt because they develop slowly and not everyone understands that. Being a nursery person must be very difficult. I'd probably have to hoard all the plants, because I wouldn't be sure they were going to sensitive good homes.

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Comments (61)

Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years ago
I hope you're hanging in there Jin and finished your preparations. If my cuttings take, I can send you one to graft. I'd try it myself if I had the proper rootstock.
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal thanked Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and suggestions! Great discussion!

Jeri I totally agree with you; it’s been very warm... I’ll keep the watering up as you and Roseseek suggested.

I re-read the description of ALMcD and am I correct in saying Roseseek = Kim Rupert the hybridizer? Thank you Kim for sharing about the growth habit and also it’s current commerce status. It‘s such a pity this rose can’t be more widespread in people’s gardens!

Kim, would it it be possible to ask you some more questions via houzz message? Please could you send me a message since I don’t seem to be able to reach you via Houzz profile?

Sheila, I also appreciate your comments about the patience required of a gardener... I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately in our fast paced world. Sometimes growth seems to be so slow, yet why are we in such a rush anyway? The own-root plants I’ve purchased have gone into containers to grow-up and also for me to see how they behave here... what sort of light exposure they prefer and their growth habit; I found it helps to be able to easily move them around and see their true personalities over a couple of summers.

Having had no expectations, when I first started growing roses, I thought they were so responsive compared to slipper orchids, but my expectations and hurru-up business seem to have caught up. It’s a good reminder to me to slow down and stop to smell the roses!
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Yes, I realize I am going to need both patience and perseverance with these babies, but I'm ok with that! All good things take time, energy and lots of loving attention. I am one of those gardeners who enjoy the process nearly as much as the results and often choose starting from seeds or cuttings even when other options are available. Thanks again, all of you for your helpful suggestions. (I don't know why profile still doesn't show my location and zone. I updated it last night.)
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roseseek
4 years ago
Thankyou. I've sent you a PM, jjkOC.
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal thanked roseseek
malcolm_manners
4 years ago
Interesting thread at this particular moment in history! I just today potted up 4 grafted 'Annie Laurie McDowell into 1-gallon pots. They are on 'Fortuniana' roots. I probably should have grafted more, but still can. I want to put at least one into the college's gardens, but beyond that, they'll likely end up in a sale at a Central Florida Heritage Rose Society meeting, or be given to friends who I know will cherish them.
Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years ago
Well, I know one Floridian who would be interested! ;0
roseseek
4 years ago
Marvelous! Thank you, Malcolm! PLEASE reserve one for Jin, plumeriagirl! The effort to get the Fortuniana to Cool Roses was so she could obtain one from him on Fortuniana. I'm delighted you now have them (again!). These must be from the material sent for the virus testing. I am delighted and can't wait to see them growing in your gardens!
malcolm_manners
4 years ago
Yes Kim -- from the original cuttings you sent me years ago. We've grown it in the greenhouse, potted, since then.
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal
Original Author
4 years ago
Wow, wish I could join you at the Florida Rose Society Meeting!
Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years ago
Whoa !! Really ? Finally it is here and there I thought of asking Dr. M. Manners as a last resort Bec of his very tight schedule.

I am super happy and I do know Perma wants it too Bec of family name. So, it is very special for her too .

I will send Dr. Manners a message on how to get ALMD.

Kim," T H A N K YOU " !!!

Dr. Manners do you have Climbing Columbian too ?

Oh, I am really excited already.

Thank you guys / gals :)

jin
Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years ago
Vap, thank you for trying to do a cutting for me. The weather here is getting windy. The last I saw was 4 am and a little at my lunch hour.
This is what I saw when I was at red light. I took a snapshot as I can hear the winds . It is not bad as other Hurricanes that I have driven before.
I am glad it is a tropical storm for us . Feel really bad for Bahamas people.

jin
jerijen
4 years ago
Malcolm -- Thank you for doing that with Annie Laurie McDowell. It's just too good a rose to be lost for lack of sources.
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
4 years ago
Jin, I'm glad to hear the 'hurricane' isn't too bad for you. That means it will be less as it comes up here lol. We were under mandatory evacuation because we were in hurricane zone B due to a small river branch behind us. I'm glad we didnt leave now.
Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years ago
Uggh! I feel for you guys not know ing what to do and planning for the worst, hoping for the best. But planning requires so much work. It's really bad for those that don't get paid while off, but if it was a C5 that would be awful to try and ride it out. Poor people in the Bahamas. Jin, I'm happy to share anything I have, but it would be OR or maybe on Dr.H or Multi once I attempt that. I need to stop with the cuttings already, but it's fun and much more rewarding!
Perma n’ Posies/9A FL
4 years ago
Yes, please hold one for me! I’ve been desperately trying to get this one, since McDowell is my DMs maiden name, and we are distantly related to the namesake. I will happily drive over to the sale if you let me know when. Jin & I will take excellent care of them and I think they will be very happy in FL. :-)
Perma n’ Posies/9A FL
4 years ago
I was so excited to read about her, that I forgot my manners...thank you so much to all the folks who have worked so tirelessly to keep these roses in our modern world. Reading through this thread, I'm struck by how many steps go into keeping these treasures alive. I’m very grateful to you all for the preservation and propagation work being done. :-)
Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years ago
JJ, I send you Houzz mails yesterday and today both came back to me. That is so weird. I can give up oth Houzz...

jin
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi Jin, I sent 2 replies to your messages. I can see that they were sent. Did you get them?
Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years ago
Yes, I did. I reply back using yours but after that I try twice and it came back as undelivered. It is on my side that I am having issues again. It happen to me before. So, I don't want you to think otherwise.

I have been looking at orchids again . I research on a few and came up with this 3.
Jenmani, Maxima and cattleya Pink Diamond but I am not sure of nurseries which I am hoping you can recommend.
This are kinda fragrant and loves humid and hot conditions.
I was wondering if you grew any of them ?

jin
jjkOC zone 10a/22, SoCal
Original Author
4 years ago
Jin, I sent you a message with my email address. Please send me an email to discuss nurseries for the orchids your interested in!
ogrfantxzone9
3 years ago
Rose Petals has Annie Laurie McDowell in stock.
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
3 years ago
What great news! Rose Petals is a great Nursery and this is a great rose.
roseseek
3 years ago
Beautiful, Sheila! Thank you!
slumgullion in southern OR
3 years ago
Wow.

I ordered Annie from Rose Petals a few weeks ago...I put myself on their wait list and the very next day got an email to say it is in stock...I jumped at the chance and placed my order in about a millisecond, since I'd heard this rose is hard to come by.

But I had no idea it was that hard! Reading this thread makes me (a) sad to hear the problems Roseseek is having; (b) grateful to him for breeding the rose and trying to keep it in commerce; (c) grateful to RPN for having this rose available; (d) even more excited to receive Annie in a few months; and (e) determined to baby her as much as she needs!

Most of my roses get little to no special babying - some fertilizer in the spring, water in the summer, and some pruning in the winter - no spraying or deadheading or any kind of routine care. But if precious Annie needs a daily pep talk to keep her spirits up, by golly she's going to get it!
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
3 years ago
I have one coming from Pam at angel gardens this week . Seems she rooted a handful! So it seems that Annie will live on in many more gardens ! :)
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
3 years ago
Slum, put ALM in a 2 gal pot and grow her up 6 months or a year before you put her in the ground to be on the safe side. This is a great rose that you should treasure.
slumgullion in southern OR
3 years ago
Sheila, yes I definitely will. In fact I usually grow my bands at least a couple of years, up to the 5-gallon size, before putting them in the ground.
Rosefolly
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
My ALMdD is gorgeous. It is grafted onto Pink Clouds and thriving in my yard. In fact I just deadheaded it in advance of the atmospheric river headed our way a few days ago. Despite the fact that it is grafted, I faithfully disbudded it for a good 3-4 years before I let it bloom. I am well rewarded for delaying gratification that way.

I have often wondered whether I would ever be able to replace it if I moved. It is definitely too big to transplant successfully.

Thank you again, Kim.
roseseek
3 years ago
You're welcome! I'm delighted you had patience so you can enjoy it as it should be now. Oh, if you had to leave it behind, we'd figure out how to get you a suitable replacement!
Rosefolly
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thanks, Kim. No such plans at present, but one day this place will be too big for us. Once travel becomes possible again, I'd love you to see it growing in its setting.

And after our conversation a couple of days ago I went out and did a nice pruning job on ALMcD. I wanted to show off its lovely structure. How I do enjoy this rose!
roseseek
3 years ago
You're welcome. Thank you! I'm delighted you have been enjoying it. That was the desire when I brought it for you.
marascz9b
2 years ago
If anyone is still looking for one, I was browsing the A Reverence for Roses website and saw it in stock: https://www.areverenceforroses.com/product-p/annie-laurie-mcdowell.htm.
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
2 years ago
How wonderful, Mara!
portlandmysteryrose
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Bumping up this thread. Thanks, Mara. I know a number of gardeners are looking for ALM. Mine is own root and still very young, but already I’m in awe! (Making myself remove buds….) Carol
Rosefolly
2 years ago
Disbudding is SO important. Difficult though it is, I did it for 4 years and have been amply rewarded.
oursteelers 8B PNW
2 years ago
Ugh. Mine looks dead. Sigh.
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
2 years ago
Oh no Tina ! What happened ? I’m sorry to hear that .

I received a fragrant masterpiece from heirloom that has a black stem creeping along at the very base . I’m afraid it’s going to die as well . Such a bummer.😩
oursteelers 8B PNW
2 years ago
Jen, i don’t know! I potted it up just like Pam said to, gave it morning sun and water but it looks dead. I was so excited to get it too😭

That’s frustrating about Fragrant Masterpiece. Especially since it sounds like Heirloom isn’t honoring their warranty. I was worried Covid might affect how nurseries honor their warranties. Don’t you think with more new gardeners more plants are failing and there is probably lot of people wanting reimbursement?
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
2 years ago
You may be right tina . Now I should have clairified that I am waiting to even get a response so they technically have not said they won’t honor it .. but I’m sure covid has somehow made it hard on them too.

I ordered lady Jane grey and they sent me lady of the mist ( a rose I already grew and hated so recognized immediately) and the lady said , let it bloom more to see if it looks like lady Jane next time ? I don’t know . I’m not buying it but I am waiting bc it was $40 .

I do have Annie and should I have any luck rooting it next year I’ll save it for you . Mine came the same time as yours . It is terrifying having a fragile rose in my care. Lol I feel like if I look at it wrong that could kill it .
oursteelers 8B PNW
2 years ago
Yeah, I feel the same way! i think i will pass on ALM in the future. It is no fun to be so stressed about a plant. I garden to relax not give myself an ulcer!

How is your cutting project going?
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
2 years ago
ALM here is not fragile. I never did disbud my two. You just got an unlucky break, oursteelers. This rose really does not need fussing.

I have a wonderful Jesse Hildreth, (Tea) that is my #3 here. The first one frost/thawed to death. #2 I watered with root stim after planting and that killed it. By #3 I was nervous but it really took off and is trouble free.
purilisaVA-zone7B
2 years ago
My ALM came from Rose petals nursery, I didn't think the plant would survive. It was extremely tiny with very thin stems and some of them turning black..which left 1 and 1/2 twig after I pruned off the blackening stems. I was afraid to repot, so I left her in the pot she came in, kept her in shade with a little morning sun. She got fish fertilizer and some fermented banana juice(i think this pulled her from the brim)..I stopped looking at her to check for new growth as I didn't want her to feel pressured.. I am SO happy to report, she is going to make it. So now after about 6 months, she has new branches and lots of new leaves. More importantly she looks robust. Last week, I saw 2 tiny flowers and a few more buds..I removed the flowers and the buds..the fragrance is so amazing...Thank you @roseseek, I followed your suggestions to help ALM grow.
roseseek
2 years ago
Congratulations, @purilisaVA-zone7B! I'm glad what you did for the plant worked! I know you will enjoy the rose.
portlandmysteryrose
2 years ago
Purilisa, your ALM looks great! Congratulations!! Banana juice: I am researching this now…. :-)

Kim, do you think that eventually, when my own root ALM is more mature, I can keep her on a typical steel or iron rose arch? I know she can really take off and reach great lengths in CA!

Carol
roseseek
2 years ago
As long as the roots like the soil and water you have and the plant gets enough resources to push it to the size you want it to be, you should be able to, Carol. Kippy the Hippy in Santa Barbara has an own root ALmD and it spreads about 6' - 8' by 4' of so with shoots to over 5' high. She grows it free standing in a bed off her back door in a courtyard created by the house, her canning room and her studio. She had it growing a few feet away and decided she wanted to move it to make room for more patio area. It's very hot there and she waters rather heavily. I think hers suffers from the heat level there.
portlandmysteryrose
2 years ago
Thank you, Kim! I have 3 spots reserved where I can let ALM grow as much as she will and where I can enjoy her amazing fragrance. I was thinking that putting her on an arch would really give the scented blooms room to tumble and the thornless canes would be a plus. I can always grow something up the other side…like my newly acquired Jeri Jennings. My ALM is still a young thing, so I am just planning ahead like I do for all my children. It sounds like Kippy’s ALM is well placed for smelling the blooms, but temps may be higher in her Santa Barbara courtyard. With the way Global Warming is playing out so far in Portland, all bets are off here, too. I miss Kippy’s posts. I hope she is well and wonderful! Carol
roseseek
2 years ago
Thank you! I will give her your regards! We see each other every few months and we're the grateful beneficiaries of her home grown, over abundance of organic citrus! I had forgotten just how GOOD tree ripened white grapefruit, tangerines and blood oranges were!
purilisaVA-zone7B
2 years ago
@roseseek Thank you! I already love the fragrance, and it being thornless is a huge bonus. I only know 2 thornless climbers, ALM and crepuscle.. I am going to keep her potted for now, as I might move soon. She's definitely coming with me:)
purilisaVA-zone7B
2 years ago
@portlandmysteryrose Thank you! I got 2 more plants along with ALM, like dr Grill , mons Tiller etc, They didn't receive the care ALM got and are hence smaller than ALM. So I attribute ALM putting out growth spurts to Banana + fish juice. I think i found the banana idea through one of the rose groups. I blend up an over ripened banana, mix it with water and leave it outside with a cheese cloth cover. It will fermented in a day and continue fermenting...I dilute it 1:10 for foliar spray and about 50:50 ratio to water with it.
roseseek
2 years ago
@purilisaVA-zone7B you're welcome! Don't forget Renae, ALmD's parent. It is also wonderfully shade tolerant, continuous-flowering, remarkably well scented and a gorgeous thing. Renae was the sister of the man in Visalia who owned the drug store. She passed from cancer in the early forties. Mr. Moore named the rose to memorialize her. ALmD inherited her slow-to-start from Renae as well as her lack of prickles, tolerance for shade and delicious scent. Another of Mr. Moore's marvels without prickles is Climbing Yellow Sweetheart. It's also remarkably well scented and a gorgeous thing. Its remarkable story is presented on HMF, written by the late and continuously missed, Jim Delahanty (jimofshermanoaks) and me: "What Was Lost is Found". The rose can be found here. https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.23069 Our article, documenting the resurrection of this desirable rose is here. https://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=66.587
portlandmysteryrose
2 years ago
Thank you, Purilisa! I copied your instructions and will keep them handy for roses that need a boost. Carol