I have 'Tess D'Ubervilles' growing next to 'Rouge Royale'. RR is doing all right in hot and humid Miami. They are in section of my garden where the companion plants have done well...a little too well. When I see a red rose peaking out in this overgrown area (which is all the time), I can't tell which rose it is until I take a closer look. I haven't really done much comparing of the two blooms though. Since you didn't state the specific problems that you are having with 'Rouge Royale', I can only mention my problem. RR is that a hybrid tea and grows like one--a bit sparsely. (An flower that looks like an old rose ought to be growing on an old rose shrub and not on a hybrid tea stick.) Mine is grafted, much of the plant is somewhat shaded, and I spray. These things could all make a difference. Tess (forget what "helpmefind" says) seems to be a much larger bush. Probably another Austin monster, but she's a gorgeous one. I suspect that a least one of the red austins would work for you. They prbably all will need to be sprayed to do well though. I have wanted to try 'The Squire.' I read that it does well in Florida. Which is a shame because it's a not easy to find since Austin has requested that his licensed growers not grow it.

I am looking at planting Rouge Royale but there seems to be very polarised views about this rose - it seems to do very badly for some (even some very experienced growers) and wonderfully for others. I am trying to figure out what this rose likes so I can choose the right spot for it in my garden. I need all your expertise please! If you can grow this rose can you please share information on your climate, soil, light, water, microclimate, and anything other special treatment you may give her to make her thrive. THANKS!

Ravishing of course ! I'm on your tail Diane, going through the Roses Forum posts , drinking my tea in bed. i couldn't resist the topic but should rest my eyes in awhile. My squat little RR after I trimmed it down for Winter is nestled into leaves. It's the first year I have tried a leaf blanket instead of just hilling the roses with extra dirt. I hope it won't create a big soggy mess in Spring. i thought the leaves could then be worked into the dirt for added nourishment. It may start forest of ginkgo trees. My RR got some yucky leaves in Fall; after the worst leaves were plucked, and a few milk showers, it has perfect leaves again. I'm learning what these roses like. For anyone considering Rouge Royale, you won't believe your eyes, the bloom is outrageous . I totally agree with you Diane for a vase rose it's hard to beat even by any Austin. My RR baby came from Northland Rosarium - I love their nursery.

Lovely pictures of your roses, Sara-Ann! I have tried to grow Double Delight 5 times now in my zone 5 yard, including in the fussy-pants tea protected section, and it never survives for me. Zone 6 must be its limit. Moses, FWIW I haven't tried Rouge Royal as many times but in 2 or 3 tries it hasn't survived. I put in in the supposed zone 6 part of my yard but I think it was toward the cold side of that bed so I'll give it one more try. Still, I think zone 6 protected at the outside would be its limits. Most of the other Romanticas are borderline at best in zone 5, the exception being Leonardo da Vinci who blooms like a champ and overwinters with some or all of his cane. Traviata is a much more reliably hardy Romantica red in my yard. It puts out a couple of blooms at a time, but you're right that it's a typical HT bloom pattern. Cynthia