I think your choices sound wonderful, hcview. Here, some of the sizes are unpredictable, but it all looks great anyway.

ARE, Mike Shoup would have good tips if he is still there overlapping with the new owners.

Thanks for the suggestion! You definitely identified my challenge. I'm struggling to select roses from my list because the sizes do seem to vary GREATLY in central tx/hill country from what is listed.

Are there any central texas gardeners who can give suggestions on which roses to select and how many to purchase?

From whom the beds protected?

The surrounding fence was there when we purchased the place. In theory, it's for the deer. However, we do not have a problem with the deer coming inside the property.

What a fabulous opportunity! I'm not from Texas and don't have area specific suggestions but am going to comment anyways. :-)

I like your selection of colors. Light colors will look fabulous in those beds.

If it were me I would not plant large ones like Darlow's Enigma. It is the only one on your list I've seen but I think it will outgrow the space and you won't be able to walk by it.

However, I would consider planting climbers on at least one side of each bed to cover the fencing. This would look fantastic! If you don't choose the house eating kind you could really have some very nice displays without restricting access to the other side. Choose the side that will not result in them shading the other side.

On the other side I would plant smaller roses that will stay in control and be easy to dead head and work on all sides. I would try to stay away from landscape shrubs as they will probably get too big. Maybe include some miniatures, polyanthas (like Margo Koster https://www.highcountryroses.com/shop/modern-roses/polyanthas/margo-koster/) and other roses that you read are well behaved and have naturally good bush shapes (not throwing long canes or spreading too much, more of an upright growth pattern.

Look forward to seeing your pictures in the future.

I love the larger roses. Especially if you have space.

Thank you for the help! I love the idea of having a climber cover the fence. However, the left side (from path up to edge of the fence) is shaded and planting on right side would shade other roses.

In the front bed, I could plant 2 smaller roses (of the same) per row. Or, 1 medium to large rose down the center, mixing different roses? I think I really like the last idea bc it's more cost effective! :)

Since the 2nd bed is not very visible and the back half shaded, maybe I could plant Darlow's Enigma towards the front and let it grow as big as it wants.

I lean towards creating a cottage style (if that's a style) rose garden- soft and full. Ideally, I'm looking for roses with good foliage that look nice when not in blume. If it helps, our home is an old german homestead with a stone house from 1860 and double dog trot log cabins, on 5 acres. Most of the area is planted with native grasses, an acre of wild flowers, and the groomed beds with native plants, grasses, and sedges.

The challenge for me is which roses to select. I have no experience growing any of these and the size that is listed on ARE and Help Me Find, is very different from what other posters have experienced.

And please, feel free to give suggestions whether you are from Texas or not!

You should go see the display gardens at Antique Rose Emporium, hcview. These Texan display gardens could really help you when you have 5 acres.

I may not understand your space correctly but with 6' wide beds that are hemmed in by the tall fences on both sides you will have trouble with large roses down the center. You will want to be able to walk by at least one side with a wheeled trash can for dead heading and pruning. Ones that throw canes in all directions or non-uniform growth habits will pose the most trouble.

I like the idea that Sheila suggested of going to the display gardens to get an idea of how much room various roses need. Take a tape measure because outdoor spaces are hard to judge.

If you really want the large rose bushes consider putting them in as landscape roses out side of the fenced in beds.

There are 2 gates near the front and back of each bed. In the past, I squeeze thru, cut what i need to, throw it into the walkway, and pick up when I'm done.

If I do a single row in the center, roses 4-5 ft wide will give me enough room to work.

I'm hoping to find central tx favorites (not knockouts), that don't require a lot of maintenace- other than regular fertilizing and 1 yr pruning. But maybe this isn't reasonable?

Unfortunately to keep most repeating roses blooming and looking good you need to dead head. But this can be accomplished with a bucket that can be taken to a nearby trash can.

If the gates are in the middle of the long sides consider placing a cement bench in the middle there. It creates a nice focal point and gives you someplace to park your tools and bucket where you do not have to bend to the ground to pick them up. Also it will provide a nice place to sit and enjoy the roses.

Hcview, your idea is realistic if you pick the right roses. ARE would know.

You gotta' grow Bliss Parfuma. Wonderful rose in all ways.

Marie Daly, supposed to be a pink version of Marie Pavie. It isn't. Its foliage is not in balance with its blooms. Way too big...looks awkward.... Kind of like the giant foliage of Rose De Rescht and the little blooms on short necks above the foliage....but the fragrance of the bloom is legendary. Back to Marie Daly, I'd pass on it.

Marie Pavie, on the other hand, is outstanding. There are two forms of Marie Pavie out there. One has barely double blooms and the other has petal packed blooms. Make sure you get the latter, its bush form is better and bigger. It easily reaches 3'x3' here in Pittsburgh, just think about there. Check the MP photos at HMFR, and you will see both versions shown there. You need to hunt out the better version. If no success, I'd pass on the inferior one.

An interesting setting there ...good to have it. Deer may return. You will be ready.

Moses

Haha. We defintely have an interesting setting and you have perfect timing! I was going back and forth between Marie Daly and Marie Pavie. ARE describes MD as the more disease resistant, EarthKind version of MP, which is appealing, but I like the look of MP more. I think I'm going to give it a try! Does this look like the bush form?

Antique Rose Emporium's Marie Pavie looks like the fewer pedaled version. Looks like Heirloom Roses' version may be the one I had. Mine came from old Pickering Nursery outside Toronto, CAN. Pickering has been closed for some time now. Back when I had the very full petaled Marie Pavie, when I would order it from other nurseries they came like Antique Rose Emporium's version, disappointing.

I no longer grow MP. I got out of Old Garden Roses in favor of newer varieties.

Moses

Thanks for the help!