Fallen petals on the mulch are a feature, not a bug.

Colette is a beautiful rose. However, those in the East may (or may not) have a strain of blackspot that is devastating to her. Mine was immune for years and then started defoliating faster than just about anything I've grown.

I did some research here on Colette (after I bought mine not before:-)), and I remember some people in California (mendocino rose, I think, in particular) saying it is a small climber. I certainly didn't allocate a big space for mine. Mine is only a few weeks old, so I have nothing to report. She is a very beautiful rose, I am glad she grows well for you. Is yours in full sun?

Masha

Masha, you have to be married, then :)))

My 'Colette' is in full sun. But, being just 15 minutes from the coast, she often gets hit with that cool coastal wind from the West. I now recall that my rose research included finding roses that were tough, pest free, and disease free. Be careful what you wish for. My Colette, Westerland, Belle Story, and "The Cottage Rose" are indeed "bullet proof" here in Sonoma County.

Sounds to me like you need to start experimenting with some old roses, to see how you like their elegance and refinement. I'd say you need some romance in your life.
Melissa
P.S. Better a 'Colette' than a cankered, black-spotted wimp that requires constant feeding and spraying for a single reluctant bloom. This applies to men, too: if you're still single, at least you didn't marry the wrong guy.

My Colette is huge, too. Love her. She's not the best repeater I have but she is getting better and her big Spring show makes her look like a beautifully flashy once-bloomer. No disease so far after 6 years (no spray). I get nervous when I read what Michael says about his getting hit with problems after years and years of health. Hope that blackspot strain skips Oklahoma!

Collette is a big girl over here also, although I probably shouldn't say anything after this winter's dieback. Hopefully, she will re-gain her former stature...

I grew her in Santa Fe against an adobe wall. I got here because I love Colette's writing and because Colete was a cat person. She was so exhuberant that I put her in here in VA, where she is now on her third year and doing very well. I think I am going t have to get her a larger trellis. Some blackspot and not much winter dieback. She's just about to bloom...

I think the answer to the Colette "problem" is to get her sport, Lunar Mist. It's a beautiful cream color, but otherwise identical to Colette.

Actually, I didn't realize it was a big grower. I only get to see it in pots here, and it stays fairly moderate that way. I'm glad to know it can get big.

--Ron

You made me curious to go look for a photo but ack! there is none. Could you post one or better yet for future rosarians post one on helpmefind?

That is assuming the Colette is the noisette 1932 listed there.

Always looking for no-spray easy care roses and I too loved Colette's writing as a high school girl (me not her).

TIA

Denise

I think most of us are talking about Meilland's 1994 climber (Romantical).

Colette is huge and gorgeous here and has been the perfect rose to anchor a corner of my gazebo. The canes are light enough that they are easy to train. That allows them to enter the gazebo where they can be enjoyed, but not be a hazard.

This photo gives a good idea of its size in zone 6b. You will note that nothing else in the garden is blooming yet. In this photo, Colette's bloom is just starting. It also reblooms quite well for me.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Sorry, I goofed on my cut and paste. This should work.

Here is a link that might be useful:

OK, I am so new to roses and this forum, I am still shiny.

Why is Collette the "freeway plant?"

Why is Collette the "freeway plant?"

Exactly what I was thinking. Does this rose need so little care it can be planted on the freeway? Wow.

I have 'Lunar Mist'. I thought I would get 'Colette' this year as a companion to 'Lunar Mist' and the local nursery where I got LM didn't have 'Colette' this year. Oh well, that's roses.

{{gwi:258498}}

Definitely a climber in Nor Cal.
My plant is about 3.5 years old, it is about to reach the eaves of my house. It did not bloom that well until this year. Unfortunately I did not get a photo at peak bloom, this is about a week before peak. It was gorgeous this year. I'm hoping it will repeat better this year.
Janelle

I'm so excited to read this post! I saw Colette at the Huntington Library and fell in love with it, it sounds great here!
I think by freeway plant the poster means it's like a banksia. Here in california, it can go on and on (up to forty or fifty feet!) with no care at all, and if you are lucky you will sometimes see one on a random stretch of freeway or back of an abandoned property.

Here are some pictures of my baby Colette. I love it. Lots of blooms, and petals scattered everywhere. Very romantic.

{{gwi:258499}}

{{gwi:258500}}

I don't think the button eyed bloom is representative, but then again, I wouldn't really know yet:-). And I do see quite a range of colors.

Masha

in Ohio Colette dies back a bit,grows 4-5 feet,but blooms are lovely and repeats well. the only thing I consider a flaw is the blooms don't last long, especially when cut.

Maele,
"Freeway plant" I believe just means carefree and tough. 'Colette' isn't a Banksiae, but rather a repeat-blooming large-flowered shrub rose that can get tall. (I'm not personally familiar with it; this is what I get from looking it up.) 'Colette' might reach, say, 10'; the Banksiae roses, with small flowers and tending to be once-blooming, as you correctly say get over 30'. They're very different roses in every way.
Melissa

I started this thread. by freeway plant, I guess I mean tough and carefree, but also, something we don't appreciate & that we take for granted because it is so easy. (Familiarity breeds contempt) I realize that my problem with it, is that it is just too big for my front yard. It completely covers my white picket fence. Now, I have to do raised beds, due to soggy Winter conditions, so Colette will be much too big to keep there. I may relocate her to a place where she can shine as a big rose instead of wear out her welcome in a place that's too small for her.

Colette in my garden is a small climber, around 5 feet. I was going to SP her this year, but she convinced me to let her stay! She has very shiny leaves and beautiful flowers. It's too early for her to bloom just yet, but when she does, she's a beauty.

If you want to see a big, I mean really, big (not big, HUGE) Colette, Mikimado who lives on the NC Coast has a magnificent and gorgeous huge climber.

My Mom, a Michigan resident, has the most stunning Colette
climbing up the front of her house. It's easily reaches 15+ feet, and the spring flush is simply breathtaking.

Mindy