Well, I am 50 (sigh). I am 98% D.Austin roses. So, modern it is...
Old roses are, well, old. Been there, done that, riped 'em out. I have about 40 varieties of DA's and I pretty much let them run amok in the gardens. Even they (DA's) are probably over rated but I like the flower and plant form. Though they look delicate, most are tough as nails.
It is not that I do not like old roses, in fact, I have a few- mostly Musks, that I allow to run up trees and such. I just think, like so many other plant species, the "heirloom" thing is over done. I did all that decades ago and realized our gardens would be pretty dull if not for all the outstanding breeding work that has been done over the many years.
I love it when all the "Hipsters" come into the garden center I work at...trying to "educate" me on the marvels of heirlooms. I have reached the point in my life that I haven't any problem telling them that it wont be long before they will be joining me in modern gardening (GASP!). The Hipsters tend to be in their early 30's around here.
Oh, and to heck with own root. Blah...poor performance overall.
