I was fascinated to read in American Rose and interview of Meilland representative this week. Knowing that most of Star roses are Meilland and that Meilland breeds roses in a warm Mediterranean climate, I have always believed that Star roses tend to be a little on the tender side. The interviewer asked the Meilland rep something like "Rose growers in the US perceive Meilland roses to be a little frost tender..." and the rep said something like "It simply isn't true. Our roses are tested in SE Pennsylvania and in California."
And I just about fell over laughing. They are tested in areas that are zone 7 or warmer. So how would they know whether the roses are cold hardy in, say Wisconsin, or Colorado? Perhaps by listening to the complaints of rose growers in those areas - which they offhandedly dismiss as being false.
I guess I have a similar complaint about most HT's bred in CA. They are of, by, and for people who live in warm zones. It's just a matter of chance when they survive cooler ones. OK I'll climb down from my high horse now.
Lots of HPs, Climbers, and Floribundas to plant in the next month. Need to focus on digging 2-3 good holes a day.
