Rose suggestions please

Allyblueeyes

Afternoon everyone, I’m trying to find a rose which meets (or thereabouts) the following criteria:

Suitable for pots/containers (I’ve no more space in my borders and have a lovely old terracotta pot that needs filling!!)

Attractive to pollinators - must be bee friendly 

Fragrance - would be nice but not essential

Colour - ideally white but not essential

I’ve got my eye on David Austin’s ‘Scarborough Fair’ but as it’s a shrub rose, I wondered whether it would be suitable for a container?  

I was given a David Austin gift voucher for Christmas and ‘The Pilgrim’,  ‘Rushing Stream’ and  ‘Golden Wings’ I bought with the vouchers are doing so well I can feel a new obsession coming on ..... 🙄 

Thanks in advance 🌷

Marlorena

You can grow almost any shrub rose in a pot, at least for a limited period... but of course it depends how big your pot is... large to one person could be not so large to someone else... so assuming your pot is of reasonable width and depth dimensions.. then your choice is one of the very best David Austin roses that money could buy... for its floriferous and continuous production of beautiful semi double blooms...

It does grow wider than tall, 3.5 foot high but 5 foot wide, after a few years..

It is so good it really deserves the very best position in anyone's garden border... best of luck with your rose...

Allyblueeyes

Marlorena said:

You can grow almost any shrub rose in a pot, at least for a limited period... but of course it depends how big your pot is... large to one person could be not so large to someone else... so assuming your pot is of reasonable width and depth dimensions.. then your choice is one of the very best David Austin roses that money could buy... for its floriferous and continuous production of beautiful semi double blooms...

It does grow wider than tall, 3.5 foot high but 5 foot wide, after a few years..

It is so good it really deserves the very best position in anyone's garden border... best of luck with your rose...

Marlorena, it’s so beautiful, I’ve just got to have one. Can you suggest what size container would be suitable. I’m guessing the one I have which is approx. 75cm diameter and 33cm high is no where near big enough? x 

Marlorena

@Allyblueeyes …  I think most people would recommend a pot minimum 45 x 45 cm for a shrub rose, but you know,.. you've got your nice pot... give it a whirl in the one you have... you can always deal with it again at a later time... during winter, if you feel the need to use a different pot... it's very easy, you just empty it out... bare root it, trim the roots and replant in another pot...  not a problem at all.. so just enjoy your rose in the pot you have for now.. and maybe sort something else out later on..

I grow roses in small pots, but for one season only, then I review the situation..

sound good?... but if you do want to get another pot... do look at something 45 x 45 or larger.. but these can be difficult to manage and heavy to lift around... I buy lightweight plastic or resin types these days...  

Rubytoo

At 75 cm wide? That is a nice stable shape and at least won't fall over in strong winds.
Although the height measurement is a little shorter than a typical recommendation, the width makes up for the volume?
Good luck with your rose choice it does look nice, just remember it will still need careful attention to watering whatever the shape of the container

A sack trolley is a useful item to have too.
At the moment I have a Snow Goose  (rose) in a pot, white, and bees like it very much the scent is nice, but not strong, so may not be a candidate. But it is a nicely proportioned, smaller variety.

Allyblueeyes

Thank you both so much.  It’s a conical shape so I hope that will still be ok.  I have no money (I do seem to find it for plants though 😉) so if I can get away with buying another pot that would be a result.  ‘Scarborough Fair’ is sitting in my basket on the David Austin website so I’m going for it and will change the pot in the winter.  Fingers crossed and thanks again! X  🌷

Marlorena

..nice pot.. it looks a lot deeper than 33 cm...

Allyblueeyes

Marlorena said:

..nice pot.. it looks a lot deeper than 33 cm...

It’s lovely isn’t it? Had it for years. I think it must have been the camera angle as it’s definitely only 33cm.  I’ll be sure to post a picture when the rose is planted. Thanks again for your advice. I wish I had your knowledge 🌷

Allyblueeyes

Rubytoo said:

At 75 cm wide? That is a nice stable shape and at least won't fall over in strong winds.
Although the height measurement is a little shorter than a typical recommendation, the width makes up for the volume?
Good luck with your rose choice it does look nice, just remember it will still need careful attention to watering whatever the shape of the container

A sack trolley is a useful item to have too.
At the moment I have a Snow Goose  (rose) in a pot, white, and bees like it very much the scent is nice, but not strong, so may not be a candidate. But it is a nicely proportioned, smaller variety.

Thanks Rubytoo ..... will google Snow Goose too 😉  Oh dear! 💷

Mr. Vine Eye

Love the look of Scarborough fair, it's one I really want too!

i'm waiting to see if I win a David Austin Voucher for taking part in one of their surveys before I buy any more.

I can dream!

If you ever do need a large, cheap pot - I got a large 66cm wide and 53cm deep from Homebase. B&M also do ones a little smaller but about 55cm by 45cm for £4.99 or similar.

ElizaRose

Allyblueeyes I have that same exact pot and I have put an English Miss rose in it, which is a floribunda on the small side. 
Check out Aldi for large square plastic pots - I think the one I bought was £12. They have then online under garden stuff. Mine is green but they had a terracotta color as well.