Open Arms

peteS

Has anyone had experience in growing David Austin's small rambler 'Open Arms'? I am having no end of trouble this year with yellowing leaves which seems like blackspot. After spraying it first time round a few weeks ago, I thought I had beaten it, but it's come back with a vengeance again. It's showing plenty of buds, but the way it's going it will be leafless, because they just fall off. I was just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems with this rose.

Busy-Lizzie

I planted "Open Arms" at our previous cottage about 3 years ago. It did seem quite a greedy feeder and responded well to rose fertiliser and watering when dry. It grew green leaves after feeding. It grew quite bushy but not tall while we were there but recently I saw it when we went to see an old neighbour. This year it has shot up and has started looking like a proper rambler instead of a bush. I love its flowers, delicate pink and single, smothered in them. I think, like many Austin roses, it takes a little time to get going.