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'Moonlight' shrub rose

FireFire Posts: 17,307
in Plants
I am about to put in a few rosa Moonlight. Some sites say these roses are particularly thorny and throw out very long trusses.  Could those members who grow Moonlight tell me of their experience? I've been longing for this plant for years. Do the flowers die back well or make a big, browning mess (as white flowers often can)? I am planning to put in potted roses rather than bare root.

I understand it is a hydrid musk with a medium scent; attractive to bees; cream to soft yellow; floriferous with a long season of flower; and that it is a tall and upright shrub that can act as a climber/ rambler / tall hedge. The latter is what I am hoping for - a plant to clamber over a new fence in good sun - west facing.

Thanks




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  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,362
    I can’t help with Moonlight, but I’ve been impressed by a similar rose (a climber, though, so probably too big for you) in a friend’s garden.

    https://www.waitrosegarden.com/plants/_/rosa-starlight-symphony-harwisdom-pbr/classid.2000026307/
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,894
    I grow Moonlight.
    I planted it about 20-25 years ago and pretty much forgot about it.
    I only prune it when it gets out of bounds which is rare. 

    It's grown to about 15ft+ wide and up to 10ft high over the years. About 1/3 of it is in my neighbours garden and she loves it too. It's growing through a variety of shrubs.
    The early growth is dark red and looks good, then the first flush appears and is stunning as in the photos above and contrasts well with the red stems. Thereafter it continues to flower quite well for the rest of the summer and even today there are a few blooms. It flowers from June until Dec/Jan. The scent is faint.

    It is thorny and the trusses do droop due to the numerous flowers when it gives a 'waterfall' appearance with flowers reaching to the ground - see pic below.
    The petals drop when the flower fades, so no manky dead blooms.
    Being semi-double the bees have easy access to the pollen too.
    I found a couple of pics of a bit of mine-





    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,307
    Thanks Pete. I can't wait.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,316
    Looks a gorgeous rose, I can just imagine it spilling over and growing along my fence. Enough, too many roses already!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,894
    Good luck with them @Fire
    A big chunk of mine has blown down over the winter, so I'm going to have to prune some of it quite severely. It could probably do with it after all this time :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,307
    Update: I've now put in three Moonlight (could have been five) :#which are growing well. Thanks @Pete.8  for all the advice. I can't wait.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,894
    I'm sure you wont be disappointed @Fire
    I've had a few flowers from February and the buds for the main flush are filling out.
    Took a pic just now-
    I'll take another when it's all out
    Hope yours come on well



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,307
    It looks just amazing!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,894
    Here she is today @Fire - start of the main flush
    Hope yours are coming on well!



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,307
    So pretty. Thanks for posting.
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