Katie - IME, I prefer own root due to the my environment (much like yours.. COLD). The few own roots that I've had survive *have* taken forever to take off, but once they do, they take off! I have a couple of own-roots from RosesUnlimited that are WAAAAAAAAY bigger than any of my grafted roses, plus I know that I'll never have a Dr. Huey take over! I only have 2 DA roses.. Molineux from RosesUnlimited & Othello from a local nursery (grafted). Both are wonderful roses. I'm surprised that your Pat Austin didn't do well.. that's one on my list that if I can get it cheap, I will. But my own roots usually take 2-3 years to get going. My Camaeiux has been in the ground for 3 years now and this year (year 3) I'm expecting it to finally get nice sized. Same with my Golden Princess.. I got that as a teeny little sprig & it *should* get to be 2-3 feet this year. My Orange Velvet is a monster.. has the thickest canes of all my roses and I got that as a teensy little bitty thing back in '09.
