In Santa Barbara, I would most definitely grow "Grandmother's Hat," a Found Rose that does very well in the Ventura Co/Santa Barbara Co. areas ... as well as in much of NoCal.

I am in Coastal Ventura Co., and only a handful of Austins have succeeded for us here, long term (also, they seem to be very THIRSTY roses, which is increasingly going to be an issue in our area.)
'Golden Celebration' is wonderful here, if not pruned hard.
'Prospero' is excellent if not pruned hard (but you may not want a deep purple-red).

For long-term success with minimal disease problems, I strongly suggest that you plant at least some of the old TEA Roses (NOT Hybrid Teas). They are disease free in our area, and -- once established -- somewhat drought tolerant.
Look into 'Mons. Tillier,' 'Niles Cochet,' 'Rosette Delizy,' 'White Maman Cochet,' 'G. Nabonnand.'

The BUSH form of 'Mlle. Cecile Brunner' (the "Sweetheart" rose) and 'Perle d'Or' are Poly-Teas (Polyanthas) which excell here.

I am a member of the Santa Barbara and Ventura County Rose Societies, the Heritage Roses Group, and the Gold Coast Heritage Roses Group (Ventura/S.B. Counties). Feel free to contact me with specific questions.

Jeri
(Coastal Ventura County, SoCal)

The Austin 'Molineux' has excellent rust/mildew resistance, and blooms constantly.

You are so lucky to live near Jeri! She knows everything there is to know about roses in that area. If I were you I would take her up on her offer - you can email her if you like by just clicking on the "jerijen" at the beginning of her post. She is always very generous with her time and advice - you could not get better advice from anyone.

Jackie

I second everything that Jeri says (I have many tea roses) and you might also try Belinda's Dream, although my climate is more inland and drier than yours, so I can't guarantee the same results. However, it has huge fragrant pink roses on a bushy plant.

Ingrid

(inland San Diego County)

Thank you for the suggestions!

I was hoping Jeri would reply. I would like to drop in to the SB Rose Society meetings when I get time. Hope to meet you there!

I looked at the suggestions today and googled photos, thought about them some...and some more (after all I was supposed to be house cleaning so a distraction is always needed)

Is there a "local" source for Grandmothers Hat? I looked at my lists from two of the nurseries and did not see it on their lists. I hope to stop at Ottos for Tomato Mania (and the hopefully on to spend the rest of the day at Descanso with friends) I did not see it on Otto's list either. Does it go by a different name?

We had a few of the home store basics; Peace, St Patrick, Sheer Bliss, Golden Celebration (turns out my good pick) and Sterling Silver. I don't know if it was bad picks, a lesser location, not enough water or what, but other than the peace rose, I was tempted to shovel prune the lot. We have what I am guessing is a Dr Huey, a mistreated unknown climber and some self reliant pinks in the side yard. So I decided I should give them all a chance and attended the rose class here 2 weekends in a row (once bringing Mom who was convinced I was wrong after telling her what I learned the first week) We striped, pruned, mulched, etc these past months, so far they are all thrilled with the attention...the maybe Dr Huey has filled it's side of the arch with more growth than a few roses need and about 60 buds. The Pinks look better than they have in years and so does the unknown climber.

I moved about half of the first group. Golden Celebration seems to love the new location and has buds (Finally) I got a Abraham Darby-I see what you mean about water-but he LOVES his space so far (maybe a bit more than I want). I also have a Yves Piaget-slower starter than Abraham for sure and a Stormy Weather climber. That was going to be it for my "English Rose Garden". We also got a Bewitched and Neptune for a new bed in the side yard.

And then our new neighbor came by and asked if I would like some of the "lollipop roses" from her new house. And now I have 9 new tree roses too!

I am sure glad I went to listen 2x!

So far all of them are happy, the tree roses are all coming back great (they were planted-left alone for a couple of months-then dug up and moved here) I am really enjoying watching them go from a collection of sticks to leaves and buds, and looking forward to the flowers to come. (Dr Huey? is already busy)

I would love more suggestions!

Kippy, most of the top picks, here, you won't find at local nurseries, and you won't find at Otto. They, after all, principally grow to supply nurseries n landscapers.

You'll look to mail order, for the best choices.

We in SoCal are on the cusp of water restrictions. Cities are advising against roses. It's not 1970 anymore, and we need to plant smart.

Doubt I'll make the next couple of SBRS meetings, as I'm preparing for a X-country trip. We wILL be at the Ventura Co re Meeting tomorrow night, for a great talk on insects, with a rare rose sale. After that, nose to the grindstone, til we hit the road.

Jeri

Thanks for the info on growers.

Water is and always will be an issue. And so much is wasted on green lawns. I have to admit we added a lawn, but just a postage stamp over the septic tank and under the clothes line. Something I can mow with a reel mower and edge in very few minutes

We use most of the water on the veggies and fruit trees and I have the downspouts dumping in the drain pipe that feeds the planters around the house (when it rains of course)

Smart, Smart, Smart!!!

Minimizing lawn is wise. I remember Santa Barbara watering restrictions, not so many years back, that had people spray-painting lawns. (Is that ever SILLY??)

I think those days are coming back, soon, and I don't mourn lawns -- but I do bristle when the local cities recommend against planting roses. :-(

Now's the time to plant roses who are drought-tolerant, when they can have a little time to become established.
My grandpa's step-mother planted roses in her Texas "dooryard," and those roses, I'm pretty sure, got watered with dishwater, and family bathwater. (There was likely more dishwater than bathwater.)

It's time to plan ahead for water-restrictions. I believe that is the subject of the upcoming Santa Barbara Rose Society Newsletter. :-)

Jeri

Hehehehe.....the reason the hibiscus are big is the gray water line.

But I do not want to deal with white fly or the need to spray-even to waste the water blasting the white fly off is more than I want to do. Besides, the neighbors are on a well and over water regularly and have killed off some of our fruit trees, they can water the hibiscus for me when I move then to that part of the yard in the fall. (they are going to be watering my pumpkins for me soon...)

I am hoping to buy bareroots next January, but I try and support the local nurseries, that is why I was asking about them. I bought most of this years plants from several of the locals. I don't mind mail ordering a special plant to help support small/struggling/specialty grower. And I would like to try the burrito method to start my own.