Tuscany and William Lobb
When we moved to our present garden there was already a nice framework of trees and shrubs, including evergreens, but little summer colour - and in particular no roses. I have already planted several climbing roses and one bush rose, choosing English Roses. I wait with bated breath to see how they will grow in their first season, and to my eyes even the first shoots they are producing now are a thing of beauty!
But I would also love to try some old roses and have set my heart on the two in the title. I don't mind that they flower only once as they would be worth the wait, but I have read mixed reports of the desease resistance of these two, and wondered if anyone has experience of growing these? We have clay soil with a reasonable amount of organic matter added. Thanks
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I grow William Lobb on heavy clay. It's about the only rose I can grow except for Rugosa because this area is really bad for blackspot and rust but William, bless him, never shows a sign of any problems. They are very tall and leggy and I grow mine wound round a stout post at the back of the border. The flowers are lovely and a most unusual colour and I love the mossy prickly stems. I give a feed in Spring and mulch before the ground dries out and that's it.
That's very encouraging Posy, thanks! If all my new roses succumb to blackspot I can always try the rugosas!
Last edited: 27 February 2018 22:07:19
I have William Lobb, Maiden's Blush, Rosa Mundi and one called 'Zigeuner Knabe' (Gypsy Boy) and they all flourish in an area with very clean air (according to the lichen growth!)
Some more recent introductions also do well, but several others struggle on, but are a sorry sight by midsummer.
You can sometimes see small black spots on their leaves, but you need to look for them and they don't get exfoliated like some more modern roses and flowering is not affected.
I reckon that most of the really old roses would be worth a try - you don't get to survive for more than a hundred years by succumbing to the first assault
Last edited: 28 February 2018 11:33:05
I have Tuscany and it has survived the cold winters and the hot summers, often in the 30s, in Dordogne, France. It doesn't get ill but it does send out suckers, which flower but can be a nuisance. I wish it flowered more than once. Mine is a bit taller than the catalogues say but I think that is because of the long warm summers. My hardy perennials grow taller than in England.
Thanks Buttercupdays, sounds good for my William Lobb...does the term clean air refer to pollution levels or moisture in the air? I don't see much lichen round here, and none at all in my garden though we have some moss.
Thanks also Busy-Lizzie, I wish we had your summers! Your Tuscany sounds almost too healthy
Yes I have read that Tuscany spreads through sending up suckers and that you could avoid this by buying one that is grafted...don't know where I would get it though I must do some research! Anyone know?
I take your point about the different soil and location Muddle-Up (I am in S.E. England) but the Tuscany Superb could be a good alternative!