I had it for a while but it was never very vigorous. The blooms were lovely but it spotted and lost it's leaves all the time. When it died one winter I never replaced it.

Oh bummer, I was hoping she'd be a better rose. I bought one today on a whim so I'll be hoping not to be too disappointed. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

i BOUGHT A PRISTINE ROSE TREE FOR MY MOTHER MANY YEARS AGO. SHE LIVED IN UNION CITY, CA.

IT WAS (AND MANY OTHERS AGREED) SIMPLY THE MOST BREATHTAKING ROSE IN THE WORLD. THE BLOSSOMS WERE LARGE, HEALTHY, AND LOOKED LIKE ALABASTER.

I JUST STARTED MY OWN FIRST (SMALL) ROSE GARDEN LAST YEAR. MY FIRST CHOICE, OF COURSE, WAS PRISTINE. I LIVE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO DELTA AREA. SHE IS JUST NOW GETTING HER SECOND SET OF BUDS. UNTIL LATE LAST WINTER (NOT HARD AROUND HERE) SHE BLOOMED LIKE CRAZY.

ALTHOUGH THE COLOR OF THE BLOSSOMS IS NOT
QUITE AS DELICATE AS MY MOTHER'S PRISTINE, SHE IS VERY HEALTHY AND HARDY.

I USED, AS VICTORIA FROM REGAN'S NURSERY SUGGESTED, BENEFICIAL NEMATODES WHEN I GOT ANXIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE A BLACK VINE WEEVIL.

THIS ROSE IS VERY LOVED.....MAYBE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

I've had a Pristine for 10 years. The bush is enormously vigorous, even though it has bad form - sort of lanky with random directions. Even so, the canes are hugely thick - sort of similar to a good ML, in fact, very substantial. I spray regularly, though, so that might be an issue if you don't.

The blooms on mine are absolutely porcelain. The only bad thing is that they blow quite quickly in the heat. However, get one in cool weather and they last a long time.

I grew this one when it was first released. I was growing this rose in a bed watered generously with drip irrigation and I was heavy-handed with rose fertilizer. It grew 7 to 8 feet tall and had very thick, vigorous canes. I recall having canes that exceeded 2 inches in diameter at the base of the plant. This rose had more than the average number of prickles/thorns. The flowers had very nice form, mostly white with some pink blushing. The flowers were not particularly large given the size of the plant, perhaps 4-5 inches across. Overall, it is a decent rose, but, in my opinion, there are newer roses in this color class that are better.

Pristine is one of my favorites. Some people gave it up and planted Moonstone because it opened slower but I like the color and shape of Pristine better. It has a great parent First Prize, a beautifully shaped HT I used to have, and which won many awards. Pristine can be a tall and vigorous grower. Don't stop searching until you get a good copy. It's pretty in the house, but follow R. Reddell's advice and cut it in the bud phase so it can open in the vase. I have this rose next to Bride's Dream and they show each other off. My friend has it on Dr. Huey in Corona and it grows strongly even in the heat. It towers over his other HTs. He calls it "A man's rose". Maybe Paladin would have been a better name.

I bought this one last year and absolutely adored it. I am waiting to see if it made it through the winter, if it didn't I would probably get another one and baby it just because of the perfect blooms!

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OMG thanks for all the replies! I can't wait to get her in the ground now! I chose this for the color, I have a rose that is similar in color at times, I say at times because sometimes the other rose puts out a light colored bloom and sometimes more of a bright pink edge, but I off hand cannot remember her name and she's one of my very favorites. Can't wait :)

I live on the San Francisco peninsula about 30 miles south of the city. I agree with the comments above (big thick canes, giant prickles, beautiful flowers that blow quickly). That picture is spot on for what Pristine looks like. It's very healthy for me. I also bought mine from Regan's nursery many years ago at an end of the season clearance sale; I think it was just $2.99 way back when! Good luck with yours.

It isn't one that I recommend for cooler climates, your mileage may vary. Mine is 15+ years in the ground, it is a one-caned wonder, I don't dig it out because I can't get to it easily. It can have a bud about to open when I leave for work, and then fully open with stamens showing when I come home in the evening. Gemini, with somewhat similar coloring, is much better.

I grew Pristine in Fl for a bunch of years. Will be putting in my N.GA garden this fall. Big, strong bush with beautiful blooms. It's worth winter protecting.