I don
Once again, I agree with Olga. Mayflower is definitely not blackspot resistant. In fact, I don’t think it is any more disease resistant than most Austin roses. Surprisingly, Heritage is my most blackspot resistant Austin. It is a frustrating seed parent (very low germination) but a good pollen parent.
Heritage blossoms were fleeting here. It was more susceptible to Powdery Mildew than most Austins.
‘Heritage’ has been good here but I have gone through three plants from three different growers to get a good one. My current one has just bloomed for the first time and so-far-so-good (taps head) it looks clean.
My experience is like Robert’s experience with Heritage. Geoff Hamilton fixes all of these issues here, but introduces a new one – slow repeat. It doesnt set seed, but the pollen does work.
Paul, I think my main issue with a lot of Rugosa hybrids is that once they mature here there flowers cannot be admired and the plant loses its aesthetics. It is due to a few things – too tall, not enough branching and a want to flower on the stem tips. this is what I have found time and time again with many of the rugosa hybrids. Granted, I live in a very floriferous environment so my rugosa will get taller, but I can only report what I know/see.
I do like Blanc double de Coubert. It is a nice rose. It hasnt been moved in 10+ years. It just isnt as aesthetic as Rosa rugosa alba is all. It does like heavy pruning, it likes to bloom mostly at the top and it loves to grow like an arrow. If it were 2 feet shorter then it would be a whole new impression. The shorter double-flowering rugosa, however, are mighty nice here. Even the single Frau Dagmar Hastrupp looks nice here due to its height. I find that a lot of the shorter rugosas make awesome plantings at malls and stores because everything about them is attractive all season long, they take abuse and they look great planted in mass plantings with other plant types.
Nahema looks like a decent improvement over Heritage, btw. Anyone have any experience with it?
Yep - ‘Nahema’ is a Delbard though and it tends to ball here. It’s a pretty vigorous climber here.
hmmm - didn’t know Heritage was it’s Dad!! There you go.