The growth (here) is lax and graceful, so it needs support. A small, wide trellis or structure of some kind (like a big tomato cage) may be enough for you. Mine is maybe 7', but ceterum's is much larger so I think it can get big.

My established plant of Colette made 6' basal shoots that, as Hoov said, arch over unless supported. In my experience Colette doesn't repeat well, so I wonder if you wouldn't be better off with some super-hardy once-bloomer like the Prairie Rose or William Baffin. Is there a provinical agricultural office where you can ask what roses are cane-hardy there?

What is your goal? A climbing rose or 'Colette's particular delicate petal-packed apricot flowers, or ??

There are thousands of available roses out there. What are your requirements--someone here can perhaps suggest an alternative that will satisfy your goal with better performance in your zone. Just a thought...

No, a climbing rose isn't my goal - I have John Davis for that. Hoovb is right - I just saw it and loved it. I also bought a Zepherine Drouhin' (sp?). I know, I know - probably both won't survive - but they were only 12 dollars.

Just an impulse buy :)

On the other hand - I grow my roses in pots - so maybe the lax growth might be nice to let hang over the edges of the pot. But it might get too big for that. I could put it on the edge of my deck, and let the branches hang down.

Too bad there's not much repeat for Colette - but then I didn't marry the rose LOL! If it does survive, and I hate it, then I can always get a different rose. Although it looks so beautiful - how could I hate it!

Thanks!
Carol

Hi Carol, I grow and have grown Colette for about 10 years.I even had to move it to a more sheltered spot by my deck. It generally gets to 5ft.here and it does reboom for me but isn't what you'd call a perpetual bloomer. It also took a couple years to produce really lovely blooms for me.
Before that I almost got rid of it because they were kind of ratty looking. Now I would never part with it!
roseberri

Colette is a good rebloomer from the 3rd or 4th year on (gosh, I don't remember), she just need more feeding.

Ouch!

I bought 2 this year for my arbor. Looks like I will have to move them in the fall....I want a profuse and repeat bloomer for my arbor...

Roseberri - do you have it growing on a trellis or just as a shrub?

My roses get compost tea from from composter and they do REALLY well. So I'm hoping that the little extra TLC will help it bloom better - but if not - that's life. :)

Thanks!

Carol

I've seen it rebloom quite well. Spring bloom being it most prolific, but it will have several flushes. It is a lovely, lovely rose.

Juliet

I've grown her here in VA and also in Santa Fe and both places she has taken a few years to really take off. She repeats more the older she gets but certainly is never continuous. She blackspots fairly easily and isn't as hardy as I'd wish. I grow her because she is lovely, because I love Colette's writing and because Colette also loved cats. I have other roses for my instant gratification needs.

Does anyone know if its shape would cascade nicely over a pot's edge?

Well, based on what everyone is saying, I think I'll be happy with it!

Carol

Hi Carol, sorry I've been busy, also was trying to post a photo but I'm too inept to do it! Yes I tried to grow Colette on an arbor, I fed her well each year, only learned about alfalfa tea last summer and first tried it just this spring. Maybe it is my particular specimen, which is grafted and from a not so reputable nursery( didn't know in those days) Colette had never had gangbusters growth for me
she grow moderately every year, however she often survives the harsh winter here pretty well with little tip damage. Our temps are not as harsh asyours but we get freezing wind and little snow cover. I think from her growth for me she would cascade nicely from a container.I hope she does well for you!
roseberri

Thanks roseberri - in a pot it will go!!

Thanks everyone!!!

Carol