For roses that are grafted, does the root stock also help to control the height and width of the rose or just the overall health of the rose? The reason I am asking is that I had Sharifa Asma on rootstock and I just recall it staying rather small (for an Austin). Maybe around three feet or so. I had it on its own root for several years. I now have Sharifa on its own root (band from Heirloom) and it is about 4--5 feet tall and it is maybe a year old? It is not a wide rose, but I am wondering how much taller it is going to get over the next couple of years. I don't believe the difference in size from root stock to own root.

Root stock usually does affect the plant size. Look at the difference between roses grafted on Dr. Huey and Fortuniana. The Fort. stock usually pushes the rose to much bigger size than DH does. Were your SAs planted in the same locations? That could make a difference in their performance. And sometimes you can get a dud rose. The graft may have been badly done or the root stock itself was not healthy so couldn't give the scion the boost it required. Many factors play a part in how roses grow.

I remember Zuzu saying the rootstock was used to control the height of Queen Elizabeth who can become a giant on her own roots.

Ah, good! Thank you! My original grafted Sharifa was in a pot and when I bought the house, finally planted in the ground. I just remember her as staying small for an Austin (compared to the other Austins I have). Two to three feet max.

This one, own root, is also in a pot and it continues to get taller and taller! Interestingly, the flowers are also much bigger on this one, however it does get afternoon shade whereas the other plant I had did not. We shall see how this continues since this plant is such a baby and I had the other one for about 10 years or so.

Oh no, I have Queen Elizabeth with its own root.

The rootstock of a rose influencing how big a rose gets had never crossed my mind before. Do you think this is the reason roses grow differently in different parts of the world? In Australia the vast majority of roses are on Dr Huey. I have grown a Windermere from a cutting and I have friends who have grown things this way but anything in a nursery will be on Dr Huey. It now makes sense that if the US uses Fortuniana that the height of some plants in the USA far exceeds that which they get to here.

Actually, Lola, I don't think I have any of my old grafted roses on Fortuniana. Here in the west, Dr. Huey seems to be the preference for root stock. I know I had the Dr. as when they reverted back to root stock, there was the good Dr., blooming away. It took a few years before I finally got rid of him in my garden.

MBN, maybe your current SA is getting tall because it's reaching for light. This happened with Zaide which is a willowing grower anyway.

Interesting thought, Vap. I don't think so. I have, next to Sharifa, Jubilee Celebration, Minnie Mouse, Peppermint Parfait and a rose I grew from one of Kim's seeds. They get the same amount of sun and are pretty much (other than Minnie and Jubilee--as they are still babies--Like Sharifa) are their expected heights for their age. I find that Sharifa, in the area she is now located, is blooming a whole lot more than I ever got with her as a grafted rose. I find the blooms to be a whole lot bigger on her as well. So who knows? Before, when she was in full sun, she only bloomed in the spring. Now she is blooming spring and fall (just not when it is over 100 F for several months).

porkpal said:I remember Zuzu saying the rootstock was used to control the height of Queen Elizabeth who can become a giant on her own roots.

A lot of the earlier grandiflora can, they get crazy. My mother inlaw got a June Bride. Its more easily accessed from the second story window and even then it reaches the roof.

Thanks for the input Protoavis--as always, it is good to hear from you as I appreciate your (and everyone else's expertise on roses).

My Brother Cadfael (own root that I grew from a cutting) is now taller than the eaves and is still going towards the sky. My grafted one stays about 8 feet tall or so. So now I know that root stock can make a difference in height. Never put two and two together before as roses get so big here anyway. If a DA rose states it gets to be about 2--3 feet in height or width, I pretty much have to double or triple it to get the actual size here.

I love how DA lists Princess Alexandra of Kent as good for containers. Maybe grafted but on her own root, you would need a container the size of Antarctica! She grew to over 10 feet tall her first year! She was also about 5 feet wide and ate anyone that dared to walk past her towards my front door. Needless to say, she has been moved.

You know, Vap, I moved my P of AK, in almost the same spot as my grafted Sharifa Asma (about 7--10 feet away) but both got the same amount of sun in that area, daily. P of AK never grew more than a couple of feet tall. Where she gets partial shade, she just goes all out and gets to be extremely big and tall and blooms like crazy. So glad for everyone's input on this. Helps to increase my limited knowledge, which I appreciate very much.

One thing is for sure, these roses have mind of their own!

LolaTasmania said:In Australia the vast majority of roses are on Dr Huey.

Depends on where you you get your roses. Most of what I have is on Multiflora based on suckers. But most of what i have has come from Thomas For Roses, Wagners, Ross Roses or Magic Garden Roses as Ive had too many duds from Treloars.

Protoavis, do any of those nurseries (other than Treloars) ship to Tasmania? Lola is in Tasmania.