You got the sun... you put in the good dirt with lots of amenities and compost....you raise the beds... you choose roses that love our heat....you spray, water and fertilize....you got it! I had an English garden in H for 40 yrs started with Hybrid Teas, Floribunda, Grandifloras, miniatures. Moved into D Austin's when they became available in US, added some antiques. The hardest part of creating the English look is the perennials, not the roses. Tropicals and roses are tough together if you want English look . Tropicals and roses mixed I found hard but many in Florida do it well. My talents did not extend to making the look work. I did have success mixing with ground orchids, crossandra, cat whiskers, bonus-many annual that look like the perennials don't freeze. With climbers or tall shrub roses on supports -alamanda henderson, and Sky Flower (the large pale blue one). I understand that many have good success with clematis in Houston but the others bloom continually all year.
I think this is Madame Alfred Carriere. I never had luck with New Dawn, blooms shatter and too few of them. Others like it. This was at Christmas as I recall.
I listed some resources below that I found helpful when starting my first English Gardens. You may already be aware of them.
The Houston Rose Society is great resource. They used to be big on exhibition but also had some good advice for gardeners. They also have a monthly consulting rosarian to answer questions and give advice and a helpful monthly newsletter discussing local rose problems that may be hitting the area.
Southwest Chemical and Fertilizer for products- they have it all and knowledge to boot. They can also fix any yard equipment that breaks. They are in Belaire. Give a discount to Rose Society Members.
Living Earth Technology for rose soil, azalea soil, compost, mulch, etc.. None better, started by some A&M guys first location was in Houston area years and years ago. Now they are all over. You can buy by the bag or have delivered, ck website. Their products at their Houston site are designed just for Houston soils, they do another combo for Dallas soils.
Lot of those rose categories I started with years ago and abandoned now have plants with pretty bush shapes, lots of flowers, old rose flower form, etc. just like the Austins. Many perform better in H than the Austins and of course all bloom better than most of the antiques. I now live in Dallas and I started planting some and have been very impressed. But will never abandon my fav Austins and Antiques. They are like old friends.
Many will say they don't spray. It depends on your tolerance for disease and bugs. I have none and want lush green leaves. Your choice. They might be disease free someplace but don't think it is in Texas.
Google the roses you like on this site but don't be taken in with a pretty flower. All roses are wonderful in spring. Your spring is so short that I often found my best rose garden months were in winter, more like others spring. I always had beautiful displays at Christmas. However, I lived inside the loop or in Memorial where it is warmer and freezes are very rare. When they happen it is short and the ground is still warm so roses aren't harmed. Those warmer temps is also why my perennials didn"t fare well.
Good Luck
Abe Darby
Golden Celebration with tropical vines
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Artemis Rose
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