David Austin Roses

Has anyone had experience with growing David Austin roses in zone 4? The catalog lists a few varities that are "definitely" hardy to zone 4, but I'm skeptical.

Thank you!
Peggy

I'm clueless about Roses Peggy, but the experts in the Roses Forum would know I bet.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/roses/all/

I'd try posting over there too, just in case.

;~)

mg

Peggy, I live in Mpls too and all of my roses are shrub roses and most hardy to zone 3. I have never tried David Austin roses. I order from Canada to make sure they are hardy try.

Pauline

www.oldheirloomroses.com

Peggy, Just remembered the other place I have found a good choice of hardy roses.

www.highcountryroses.com

I can't believe I forgot about Griffith Buck Roses!

D'oh!

http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/cad/rose1.html

mg

I have had great luck with the Explorer series and the Griffith Buck roses. I have two "William Baffin" climbers that are just gigantic! But the Austin roses are so *seductive* with all those gorgeous petals, I'm thinking I might try a couple. I have heard of a product called Bush Jacket that is supposed to be great for protecting roses and shrubs in general. Anyone ever used these?

Thanks,
Peggy

Peggy, any yellows working for you? Ken

I don't have any yellows at all. I had a small yellow rose called Topaz Jewel that was supposed to be hardy, but lasted only a couple of seasons.

I think a lot of my problem is soil. We have heavy clay, and yes, I have amended it, but not nearly enough. This year is going to be "Year of the Compost"!

There is a recipe for alfalfa tea on the rose forum I am going to try as well.

Spring Valley Roses in Wisconsin have a good rating in the GWD and specialize in hardy roses.

http://www.springvalleyroses.com/index.html

anybody with a hardy ( zone 4 ) yellow rose?

Spring Valley has a few hardy shrub roses that are yellow. One is even self cleaning.

PeggyOW: I had the same experience with 'Topaz Jewel'. It did fine for about 2 years, then croaked. (I lived in Rosemount, MN at the time and it was rated as hardy to zone 4) As for the David Austin roses, I tried two different varieties (Can't remember which ones at the moment) but neither of them made it through the winter and that was utilizing the 'Minnesota Tip' method. In all fairness though, it should be noted that all 25 of my roses bit the dust that year (I believe it was winter of 2001/2002). I was so heartbroken that I've never tried to grow Hybrid Teas since then. These days, I stick to hardy shrub roses rated for zone 3.

I have had good luck with the 'Gertrude Jekyll' and 'Pat Austin', and a few others. I'm blank on the names right now, but I will check and let you know.

Jody

kandlmidd - I've had good luck (so far) with Sunsprite Floribunda Rose. It's VERY fragrant too. It's been in my garden for a few years. It depends who you talk to whether I'm in Zone 5a or 4b.

Ann