@Calsurf73, Mike
>>>>Can't we just safely say that we grow the roses that do best given our locales ? We all have varying circumstances and weather conditions which are going to limit what roses will perform for us, right ? Throw in other obstacles like DEER and insects issues and that's a whole other story.
More than agree. It's just that since the 1950's, roses were marketed as if they would do well in any area of the country and in any climate. Then people thought roses were hard to grow because they were growing roses that were not suited to their climates. Roses are hard to grow if you are growing plants that are not suited to your climate. By "hard", I mean a whole lot more work to get a healthy plant.
I'd say it is only in the last decade that the concept that roses are regional and do better in some climates than others is being recognized as a reality. Conard-Pyle is now using that concept in their whole marketing program. I think others will follow their lead.
For the most part, ogrs, will not perform well in the micro-climates in my garden, so I don't bother with them. I was gifted with two Austins last year. They made it through a mild winter and I am curious to see how they will perform in my high summer temps. Both are pastel colors, which do work better for me, no matter what class of rose.
Smiles,
Lyn
