All my seedlings and cuttings were unintentionally and otherwise stressed this year. As of a few weeks ago planting in the ground, Rabble Rouser and seedlings of Arthur Bell took of like a duck to water. These yellows are some to be incorporated in my no spray, no fertilizer, no water series. It’s the future.
The search for a healthy Austin yellow has brought me no where, unfortunately. I think I’ll stick to Jubilee Celebration and Jude the Obscure for breeding, since most Austins seem to bring in a lot of horrid qualities.
I second Neil on Arthur Bell. Mine own-root is 100% clean here, with 3-days of non-stop rain - I don’t spray. The foliage is glossy and pretty. Jude the Obscure grafted on Dr. Huey at the rose park is clean (they spray). Jude the Obscure as own-root is stingy and have BS issue. Happy Child is wimpy own-root for most folks, but did well for one person in California with sandy soil.
Honey Bouquet own-root is more drought-tolerant than Arthur Bell (shuts down at temp. above 90’s). Honey Bouquet has a very small amount of B.S., even in non-stop rain. Julia Child color fades to white, Arthur Bell fades a tiny bit, but Honey Bouquet stays a strong yellow. For the same amount of blooms, Julia Child occupies twice the space than Honey Bouquet. My pick is Arthur Bell for cool weather, and Honey Bouquet for all-types of weather, from 100 degrees to 40’s and rainy. 99% of my roses are own-root.