Location does play a huge role with some roses. I moved two roses, 'Sweet Chariot' and 'Rainforest' from where I originally sited them because they were spindly, little runts. Now, both plants are thriving. I probably moved them 10 feet from the original site. I planted 'Paloma Blanca' and 'Shafira Asma' where I had the other two roses. They are slow to take off, but they are doing much better than SC and 'Rainforest' in that site.
Also, in this garden it takes a rose three to four years to come into its own. It doesn't matter if it is budded or own root, but I think that is because of my soil.
Cindi ... I didn't know 'Francis Meilland' was a weak rose. I've been yearning for that rose. I guess I'll take it off of my wish list. I don't want any roses I have to coddle. I am getting too old for that ...
Smiles,
Lyn
