Flowers - your Abe picture is out of this world, floating out into space GORGEOUS!!!! Oh my heavens!!!!

Sumera - I love your Red Eden blooms...so many petals and the color is great!

I think St. Ethelburga was the one I was most excited about. It was a first year rose, bareroot from Hortico, and it got settled in and bloomed often. Blooms kept getting prettier and prettier. I don't think it's at its best yet but I was most happy with this one. It's healthy, vigorous, and fragrant.

Erasmus that is a beautiful St Ethelburga. If it gets better…I can’t imagine!

What do you think of the fragrance?

I looked for this rose last yest but the only place I could find it was too expensive

For me the star of my roses this year was Westerland - a relatively nonglamorous rose I planted in 2019. I like the low maintenance involved. and for me another winning factor is the deer seem to avoid munching on the canes. flowers are medium fragrant, pruning seems to invigorate her while i get to maintain a height no more than 7’.

the only negative is probably lack of heat tolerance. the flowers get fried with temperature hovering around 80.

she was specially floriferous this season. bloomed whenever temperature cooled down (we had a very bad dry summer staring in late June and stretching to most of August).

i did not fertilize the plant except for one application of compost in late April (i dont spray or use any chemical in my garden). she started blooming in May, reached peak in mid june before hot summer took over and again started setting out buds in September.

here is a picture from early June:

i must also mention my two new roses, both bareroots from DA - i planted in early April without knowing what to expect -was definitely not expecting more than 2 or three blooms late in the season. and not only both established quickly but also started blooming in June on barely 2’ high plants (mature height for both ~ 4’) with significant flush. i am especially blown over by Harlow Carr. seems to be undeterred by high heat and the perfume is heavenly - reminds me of old rose gardens of my childhood. Also the thorns keep deer away it seems. while Vanessa Bel is super elegant with milder fragrance. Can’t wait to see how the full size plants perform in 2023.

Vanessa with first blooms in June:

Harlow at the same time:

South Africa

Aug. 23, 2022

Oursteelers, I remember thinking the fragrance was strong...I think it's a damask fragrance. Certainly not myrhh.

My nose is not as sensitive as yours, natureinspired. I don't detect any fragrance in Westerland and little in Harlow Carr. Westerland is a good plant though...mine's in a dry spot with root competition and does well. I think Harlow Carr has charm. Sure is thorny.

I think Hortico's price on St. Ethelburga was not too bad. They also have Chandos Beauty. I bought one of those at the same time but it hasn't developed as fast as St. E. I didn't even take one picture of it. Another one I really liked that was new this year is Aunt Margy's Rose. The small blooms have a beautiful violet pink. color.

Bolero. Definitely a star. Multiple beautiful flushes all season. Healthy. Fragrant. It is not my favorite rose but oh my it kept fighting to be my favorite. It's such a a dependable beautiful rose and nice growing habit tootoo. I have one in the ground and one in a container and they're both excellent. They were tiny bands in May 2021 and look at how gorgeous they were in 2022.

If i were to recommend one and only one rose to a first time gardener, this would be it.

I've been loving this thread Ang and everyone who shared. So many beautiful wonderful roses here! Many of the ones shared are favorites in my garden, too.

Whoo hooo for South Africa!! What a fabulous color!

And Bolero is such a stunner

Librarian, you've almost convinced me with your stunning Bolero, but which rose do I have to give up to grow Bolero? I didn't realize it was so luscious and cup shaped, or is it just that you grow roses so very well?

Erasmus, your St Ethelburga is gorgeous. It's a rose I've wanted for years, but didn't realize it was available in the US. I see St E is available from Hortico, and I've ordered from them over the years and always been pleased. I got my Augusta Luise from them, in fact, back in 2012-13.

And I agree with Kristine that Kentucky's South Africa is outstanding--lots of blooms and color, which I love. And I can get SA at Edwards. More temptations. I know you like red, Kristine. Do you grow Ascot? Kristine, you and I are of one mind when it comes to Munstead Wood. MW was my outstanding rose of our hottest summer on record, plus worst spring and early November that I can remember. MW is one tough rose that can take the heat, cold, freak snowstorms, and wind in this tough climate so well and come out looking gorgeous. She bloomed every month from May until November, and I have the date stamped photos to prove it. Kristine's gorgeous photo says it all, so won't add any more photos.

Oh, my gosh, I'll have to go up near Spokane and steal an Abe D cutting from Flowers. That is the most stunning bunch of Darby blooms I've ever seen. I must show my pathetic Abe that photo while shaking a shovel at him.

Nature, you are growing a beautiful collection of roses, and I love your Westerland. I had no idea it had such a dark, rich color.

Ang, your Jubilee Celebration is the most beautiful I've see in photos--which made me look up JC again in HMF. It's one of Austin's best, and you grow the best of the best. Thanks for starting this thread. Diane

Well, Diane, if you're asking for reasons to get Bolero, it does seem to stay compact even here in the land of giant rose bushes...

I have 3 Bolero and they are all small and bloomy and very healthy

One of the most perfect roses

Diane thanks for sharing your pictures of Bernstein. It is so beautiful. Mine is still a little guy but this year it should take off.

I have zero room for Ascot maybe I will plant it in the empty house next door. Lol

If you ever saw my garden, you would know I love and grow a lot of HT's. BUT when really pressed, the star of my garden has been (and probably always will be) is the Old Garden Rose, Marchesa Boccella. This photo was taken late Oct. this past year. A fantastic rose that builds onto itself every year. The spring bloom cycle is 4 times thicker than the summer and fall bloom cycle.

Red eden rose is the star.

Erasmus - oh, yes, I love St. Ethelburga!! The color is such a lovely shade of pink and the fragrance is great...I love yours! Mine died in the GGDO (Great Garage Die Off when my daughter left the garage door open (she was shoveling) for many hours one very, very cold day.

Natureinspired - The color on your Westerland blooms is wonderful...I love screamin' in your face color. :) :) Vanessa Bell is a rose that always piques my interest...and then I look it up and remember that there isn't much fragrance. But it sure is a beauty. Harlow Carr is one that I think I would get if I could find one (Austin won't ship to Canada). Your HC is so lovely!!

KentuckyRose - holy crap!! :) :) Your South Africa is amazing!!! :) :)

Librarian - I especially love your first picture of Bolero!!

Kristine - love your Bolero...mmmmm And, yes!! Plant Ascot next door right near your fence. LOL

Ken - I have Jacques Cartier and it doesn't look nearly as beautiful as your MB. :)

To everyone who mentioned my Abe. You made my day! I didn't have anything to do with his explosion of blooms this year. When I returned from being away, he was dripping with blooms.

Diane, I think you're kidding, but you can have as many cuttings as you want.

Ang, thank you for this beautiful and useful thread.

I think my star last summer was Ruth Clements. It was a first year from Heirloom so it didn’t bloom like crazy but it grew well and was very healthy. I was most surprised about the bloom shape and petal thickness….those of you that battle thrips know how valuable thick petals are. Ruth was my happiest surprise after purchasing on a whim. She’s a stunner in color and form too.

@LauraLG Z5b-NwPA What a beauty! Love that second photo especially. What do you mean about thrips and petal thickness? My most thrips plagued rose is also one of my roses with the thickest petals, unfortunately. Is it usually the opposite? The spring flush is always ugly on that rose from he thrips damage, so it might meet Mr. Shovel this year.

@Mischievous Magpie (CO 5b) it’s not necessarily that they are bothered less by thrips, it’s more about how the damage is slower to show up. Thick petals seem to resist the damage a bit more….perhaps because there is more tissue/moisture in them?

Magpie, I just keep hoping that my beneficial insect population will continue to grow each year and that thrips won't be as much of a problem in the future. Fingers crossed!

@librarian_gardner_8b_pnw Yes, fingers crossed! That's how I go about things too, I don't spray or treat for things. But of all my roses, for whatever reason only Le Petit Prince and Polka are the ones with thrips damage. Everything else is untouched. It's pretty bad on both roses, and Polka only blooms once for me (at least that's been the case both seasons I've had it, but it's young. But still.) I want to love Polka because I've had a few absolutely stunner blooms from it, but it's frustrating that it dies to the ground every year and grows back into such an ungainly plant that only gives me a handful of blooms, many marred by thrips. I'm giving it more time, but I have a lot of other roses that are the same age and doing much better. And it's in a prime spot. Idk why it hates me.

Polka has been slow to come into its own for me too and I don't have winter kill. I hope that it's just the case of needing a few years before it leaps. Let's hope that's how it is for both of us.

Laura - I love the coloring!! Beautiful rose...happy sigh. :)

Another vote for South Africa. Fantastic performer.

@erasmus_gw you are spot on about my (super) sensitive nose. just imagine what i endired during the days of heigtened senses of pregnancy. i would so VB is the mildest - but as with all fragrant flowrs, i do detect a decent scent in the mornings. Westerland is definitely few notches above in intensity of fragrance. but Hurlow is amazing - i would place her right alongside my Mr. Lincoln though the fragrance profile very different to my nose.

@Diane Brakefield and @rosecanadian yeah the color is always a richer tone of orange and when morning sun shines bright on the petals (like in the captured picture above) the plant gives an impression of being on fire— more reminiscent of fall than spring :)

and after the first two seasons of enjoying the brightness, last fall I decided to take the ’too bright’ to next level of ‘ultra dramatic’ by planting some rose campions all around to create a hot fuchsia blanket at the base. The result was as dramatic as it could get with two hot colors clashing. hate it or like it, nobody could ignore that portion of my garden (usually everyone ended up liking it) 😃

Rosecanadian, btw, check Burpee website for DA roses, if they ship to Canada. I ordered two DAs from Burpee only a few days ago.

Including a picture with the rose campion. (Notice the color difference once in shade).

Imagine wearing those colors together in a dress - i will never be able to pull that through. luckily nature has a way of making all colors blend together into a nice integral beauty of her own.

Because of a giant black walnut tree, my backyard is pretty shady, and Doctor Robert Korns definitely won the title of superstar in 2022. It thrives in a spot getting about one hour direct sun, which I didn't think it would survive. Very healthy, long-lasting and easily covered by bees. In its third year, it really becomes an essential rose in my garden.

Nature, wowza! I love those hot incr your face colors and that looks perfect.

How long does the Campion bloom?

Feiy Lo, I really like that Dr Robert Korns! So pretty and delicate looking. Where did you get it from?

oursteelers, I got mine from RVR. It's in stock now if you're interested.

@Kristine LeGault 8a pnw

these are tough and long blooming in my 6b garden. starts in May, peak bloom achieved late June/early July and keep going easily for another month without losing the tidy look.

For me the most practical and low maintenance plant. we live in a deer infested suburb - every year they destroy my hydrangeas and roses and many ’deer resistant’ plants. but never nibbled on these beauties. Additionally, happily multiplies and grows in dry shady spots without much need for water. the leaves are so attractive (related to lamb’s ear) that less flowers in shade don’t bother me.

I had Campions at my house and really loved them but had forgotten about them so seeing your picture reminded me cool plants they are.

Thanks Nature.

Natureinspired - yeah...colors are on fire...LOVE!! :) :) Thanks about Burpee...Diane is right, they don't ship here. There's no place in the U.S. that ships here that I can find. But thanks for thinking of me. :)

Feiy - those lucky bees! I love that last picture so much!

My superstar rose for 2022 was Brindabella Purple Prince. Growing in a pot in tough, windy conditions, it maintained lovely foliage all through the season without the slightest hint of disease in my no spray garden. Plant habit was well balanced and it bloomed regularly in waves, with each flush more fragrant than the last, with a luscious damask fragrance to rival Crimson Glory. The color was striking throughout the season but became a rich, deep, dark true purple in cooler weather. It lasted 3-4 days as a cut flower and was only moderately attractive to the dreaded Japanese beetles.

Chris, I agree about Purple Prince being a winner

It has been so wonderful for me too. I finally got it out of its pot so it should really take off.

Yours is really beautiful. I'm glad that you have that one.

Chris - sounds like a winner...and so beautiful...I love what you said about the fragrance!! I want one. :) :)

For me, the star had to be Rosemantic Red. It is just a stellar performer and it avoided the vole damage the thrip issues that plagued my other roses.

I’m not even that fond if red roses, but this one is something else.

That is stunning. I'm impressed with this series. Diane

Very stunning

Thank you @Diane Brakefield and @librarian_gardner_8b_pnw! it was advertised as much more compact than it actually is in my garden, but being EXTRA is kind of it’s thing! I’d love to try others in the series if I ever have space again, but I an current under a rose buying moratorium.

Markay, I love your Rosemantic Red. How do the flowers age? Do they keep their color and then lose their petals or do they turn brown first? How long do they last on the bush?

Markay, wow! That is incredible!

What a fabulous shade of red.

I have the fuchia and it is one of my best new roses and it is short.

Non stop bloomer and the color is so beautiful.

I guess that I better get that red.

@mmmm12COzone5, the petals fade to a purply pink, but hold that color. Most of the time they look great right up until I bump a bloom and then all the petals drop. it’s hard to say how long they last on the bush because there are just so many of them and more coming on behind those that drop.

Markay, Thanks! That is my kind of rose bush.

@mmmmm12 @mmmm12COzone5m, I loved the ddep red next to your light brick. If you still want a climber there perhaps look at Tradition. Do you grow Florentina? Thats another good hardy red if you were thinking of moving the striped rose from that corner. I could be replying to a ppic from another thread so excuse me if thats the case.

Markay - my goodness!!! I can't believe how many roses are on your Rosemantic Red!!! And they're gorgeous too!! LOVE!!

Hi Vaporvac, thanks for the suggestion. One of the reasons I took out the glorious Dr. Huey was because of the deep red. It didn't go with the rest of the flowers in the backyard. I tend to have very bright flowers and somehow it was clashing so I wouldn't put that color in again there. I was actually looking at the Rosemantic Red as a future red rose. The bush is gorgeous and I like the description of how the flowers age.

Ang

Where did you get your Jubilee Celebration from?

Anyone else know where I could buy one?

Carla in Sac

I bought one directly from DA mailmailmailmail order in 2021.

I can echo the beauty and fragrance of Red Eden. It doesn't just bloom like crazy, it's that its blooms last for WEEKS. No kidding, weeks. Mine in PDX was completely disease free as well (even growing next to disease-ridden Dolly Parton rose). I do not think of this as a climber anymore--the canes are so thick and brittle it is really a large shrub. I moved mine off an obelisk after snapping several.

BOLERO would likely be the rose I'd keep if I only had to keep one. It is so well-behaved, blooms non-stop (literally--always had a bloom on it, even in year one), it is wonderfully fragrant, has beautiful foliage...I bought three more just to be surrounded by it. What a stellar performer this.

Robert I agree with you about Bolero. It's one of my favorites too.