Viewing comments posted by oakslesly

One of my favorite roses, and I nearly lost it due to extreme summer heat. I deep watered it several times and put up an umbrella to provide some mid-afternoon shade. It is slowly coming back, but certainly dislikes full, hot sun.

This rose became a giant the second year after planting. It was five feet tall and four to five feet wide.
It was pruned back to a more manageable size, and it never really recovered. The extensive heat of summer didn't help either.
Hopefully it will thrive once (if) cooler weather ever arrives in Southern California.

I purchased two of The Ancient Mariner roses this year. The smaller one, grown on its own roots, is holding its own in spite of a very hot Southern California summer. It is happier now that an umbrella provides some shade during mid-day.

The two-gallon-sized The Ancient Mariner died. It was planted next to several other David Austin roses that are doing well. It was planted in organic potting mix (as are all my roses) due to our clay soil. It received water in the early morning, but no shade was available, so hot sun baked it daily. Very sad to say it just couldn't take the heat of our summers. Just an FYI.

This rose has grown in mostly shade for several years in Ventura County, Southern California. The color has been a deep purple-red, with good fragrance. Our summers continue to be blisteringly hot, and Munstead Wood appears to appreciate the mostly shade location.

This rose spreads out like an octopus. I had to corral it in a circular cage to keep it upright. The spread of it is over four feet unless it is restricted. It's very vigorous, and very prickly.