PA0K gets huge here. I dont have the AM.

Thread needs someone to start talking in terms of specific measurements (i. e. so many feet) before it can arrive at a useful conclusion. Also what part of USDA 9 will probably be relevant. As in whether this is in the dry summer west (California) or the humid east (Florida etc.).

Ancient mariner is very wide and thuggish . I actually had to dig mine out , and put it in a pot despite knowing it won’t be super happy that way , I just couldn’t keep it in the spot it was in .

I haven’t grown the other in many years , not it’s fault just don’t have the space either

Ok both my PAoKs reached 8ft while still in their 5 gallon pots. Of course the roots have grown through the pots. At least 6ft wide.

In the ground, in FL who knows how big they would get! Not sure where the OP is at but they are a half zone warmer than I am.

I like PAoK, dont get me wrong. It has big yummy pink cupcake blooms but alas I havent measured them. I would guess about 5 inches.

I recall Diane's horror story of trying to remove hers with its coachwhip roots going down the hill 🤣

The size depends on your geographic location and growing environment.

I have both roses: AM is entering his 3rd year; PAoK in her 4th this year. PAoK is definitely the taller and wider of the 2: about 6 - 7 feet tall and 5 - 6 feet wide, whereas AM is about 4&1/2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. If you are in a cold zone, yours will likely not be as big. I am in SF Bay, zone 9b, SS zone 14. My climate is maritime. Even in the summer, our temperature is usually around 70/80's degree F. Only rare days in the 90's. We didn't have a day of freezing (not below 32 F) this winter.

In my climate, neither of them are suitable for container growth. I laugh when I see David Austin advertises that PAoK can be grown in a container. I have heard that in the UK this is possible as PAoK doesn't get so big there. Perhaps It is possible to grow her in a container in colder regions though I am not sure.

It may be helpful if you indicate the geographic region in which you garden.

@Rose Lai - I am also in the bay area (southbay) so we are in the same zone! Thsnk you so much for your detailed information. Really appreciate it!

Thsnk=Thanks

I just got a chance to read everyone’s input - thank you all for your input! I’m so glad that I asked this question before planting mine because I was planning to follow the suggestion on David Austin’s website by spacing PAoK only 1.5’ (18 inches) apart! The website suggests that if I want to make a rose bush, I plant 3 closer together. With the “official width” of PAoK at 4’, the suggested spacing is 1.5’=18inches!

Anyone has experience growing Benjamin Britten another David Austin rose? How big will it get esp. in zone 9b (e.g., CA bay area)? Thanks!

Anyone knows how many days the Ancient Mariner flower last?

I've had Benjamin Britten for one season (I'm in a slightly colder zone than you) and it definitely wants to be a climber. I dont have a goodphoto but I'm training mine around a dead tree trunk...it was planted as a bare root late April and you can barely see the tree trunk now.

@amyjiang_z5: I saw no one has commented yet, but I am not sure where you garden. Weather can affect the longevity of the bloom. In the microclimate of SF Bay where I live, the bloom of Ancient Mariner lasts about 4 - 5 days.

@Rose Lai (9b) thx Rose. 4 days sounds good enough to me. I am in Ottawa Canada, zone 5.