Deb, your Heritage is a perfect specimen! I should show your photo to mine to shame it, LOL. And come to think of it, my Heritage isn't bothered by much blackspot. I'll probably continue working on reinvigorating the one I have, but may look for a 2nd. This one came from Wayside late in the season during one of their clearance sales. It was stressed from having been in cold storage for so long to start with, and over the years never seemed to have a lot of vigor. I was a much lazier gardener then, seems the older I get the more I enjoy fussing around with them. That's about the only benefit I've found to aging so far,
Zuzu, thanks for the heads up! Like you, I'm lamenting that Palatine no longer offers Austins. I would LOVE to see how they perform on multiflora rootstock!
Annette, your Charles Darwin is glorious! I love those buttery globe shaped blooms
And Christopher Marlowe is apparently a good performer in many regions. I like its twiggy growth, sort of airy looking and pretty with other plants to my eye.
A big garden center in Lexington had a nice selection of potted Austins last spring that appeared to be grafted plants. I was tempted till I saw the price- $50. I'm much too frugal for that, especially knowing I can get 2 for that price bare root. I only visit those big garden centers in spring, but should probably check them out from time to time during summer. I don't know if they discount roses or not, but it would be worth checking.
