Wonderful thread. With the caveat that these are still young roses, here's my toll at this time: 1) Queen of Sweden - not afflicted 2) Molineux - none last year, too much this year. I sprayed with Bayers Natria -- not much help. Not affecting blooms, happily. 3) Munstead Wood -- just started showing a little today. Hopefully not a big problem. 4) Carding Mill -- not afflicted 5) Alnwick Rose -- not afflicted 6) Darcey Bussell - showing a bit of a problem today for the first time. 7) Falstaff -- not afflicted, but not blooming either. The only variety that hasn't bloomed yet. 8) Tamora - not afflicted. Blooming her little head off. Both my OGRs have mildew: Marie Van Houtte -- ongoing problem but controllable. Zepherine -- terrible. Horrible. May not last. Mildew has also been a problem on my Double Delight, for what that's worth, and to a far lesser extent (but still there) on my Gold Medals.None on Granada, Mr. Lincoln, Don Juan and my various mystery roses. Let's see what others have to say!

At David Marriot's talk about Austin roses last year at Ashdown I asked him about all the roses on the UK website that were listed as having shrub versions as well as climbing versions. I asked specifically if the climbers were on different rootstock than the shrub/shorter versions. His answer, which was a real surprise to me, was that the only difference was the way they pruned the roses at DA Ltd. I've been growing Tess for about four or five years, the last three no spray. Afternnon sun (on the west side of an arbor). It is a really great rose, even through the misery of last summer's drought. I think your answer is that the roses are the same.

Thank you for all the quick replies. Cecily, there are a couple blocks holding the pot off the ground. They do not block any holes, but the water does drain more on one side. I think maybe at the beginning I was afraid of overwatering and didn't water enough. That combined with the profuse bloom that just occurred (about 19 flowers at once) maybe she needed more water than I supplied. I do throw in some coffee grounds every now and again. I have not fertilized yet because I planted her in potting soil which already had nutrients in it. As far as the winter goes, I will be moving the pot into the garage. I do plan on planting her in the ground next summer. I wasn't expecting the growth to be so rapid. When I bought her she was only about a foot and a half tall. Now, less than 3 months later, some of the new canes exceed four feet! I also have an Eden out front which is doing wonderful. I can only hope my Tess does as good once planted in the ground. I didn't think about the brick amplifying the sun's heat. Luckily the weather is cooling off. It's going to kill me moving the pot. She looks so great against the brick. Thank you for all the advice!

I am in a much different zone than you are. I grow several DA roses and have for years. I grow on own root as my grafted roses pretty much reverted to root stock and I had to dig them out earlier this year. Princess Alexandra of Kent One of my favorites. Gets to be a monster and I think she would rather be a climber in my hot, hot weather. She keeps pumping out blooms even when she get reflected sun and it is 114 degrees outside. I love her huge beautiful blooms. One of Austin's best. She has canes over 8 feet now and I just cut her back a bit to keep her in line. I am expecting great blooms on her until I prune her in late December. I had Sharifa Asma. I loved that rose but she was in the same area as the root stock invasion so she had to go. I probably grew her for about 13 years or longer. She takes a long break between blooms. She doesn't seem to like our heat all that well either. I have no issues with black spot or other diseases where I live so I can't answer any questions re: how she does with them. I also don't spray and grow organically (for what that is worth) She stayed rather small for an Austin here. She was about 3--4 feet wide and about 3 feet tall. The first time I saw her in bloom, I was ready to pull out all my other roses and grow nothing but her. She is that beautiful. Scent to die for too. I miss her a lot. Other DA roses I highly recommend (and remember I am in a very different zone than you are) would be Brother Cadfael (grows very tall and upright), not a great rebloomer and prefers cooler weather than where I live. However, big, beautiful flower and a scent to make you swoon! I would also second Munstead Wood. One of Austin's best. Gets to be big in my climate. Canes are about 5 feet long or so. Blooms when it is hot. He is just something else. Flowers will go from florescent dark pink to maroon depending on how old they are and the time of the year. I am looking at a big bouquet of them as I type and they are the deepest maroon, practically black. Gorgeous! I also love Pretty Jessica. She stays about 4 feet tall and about 2--3 feet wide. Very upright. Great blooms and does well with heat. Good rebloom as well. That is her in the far left in the picture. I have also grown other Austins. I have Lady of Shalott. Not too wild about her, yet. Hasn't really done much of anything, however this is her first year, so I will patiently wait for her to grow up a bit. Very bright orange flowers that I hope will tone down with time. Lady Emma Hamilton couldn't take the heat here and died. Alnwick has not done much of anything, but again, first year, own root. I wish his flowers were bigger. Sister Elizabeth--not much of anything. Looks like she will stay small for an Austin. Again, first year, own root so we will wait and see. Just got Mary Magdalene, so can't say much about her as of yet. Emily--really can't get that rose here anymore. Very small for an Austin. About a foot high and a foot wide. Not good repeat. I keep her for sentimental reasons. Mary Webb--very few nurseries carry her. Small for an Austin. About 3 feet tall and wide. Very pale yellow flowers that fade to white immediately. Not great rebloom either. Ambridge Rose--reverted back to rootstock after 15 years of so. Smallish for an Austin. About 3 feet tall and wide. Great blooms. Not wild about the scent. Fair rebloom. Evelyn--gets to be a bit of a monster here. Tall (about 6 feet or so). Upright. Poor rebloom. Beautiful flowers and a scent to die for. I do miss her as well. She reverted back to rootstock after having her for 10 plus years. Jude the Obscure--is now very obscure. I did not like that fickle rose. Rarely bloomed here. Nothing to write home about. Never did see what the hoopla was all about for that rose. He is out of my garden. Peach Blossom--a nice pink semi double. Always the first to bloom and the last to bloom in my yard. Makes great hips and a great rose. Loved her. A bird decided to plant another plant in the middle of her so unfortunately, she also had to go this year. She was very pretty. So those are my run down. Heritage was also beautiful but couldn't take my heat. Good luck with whatever roses you decide to get.