I don't think this is an issue that others can advise you on - it is a matter of taste. I have Niles Cochet, which is the same as Madame Cochet, except it is a sport with dark raspberry outer petals - gorgeous.

All of the Cochets are much more double than La France (which I also have). My NC has a tendency to ball if it is foggy or wet in the Spring, but not in our hot dry summers. A three gallon pot definitely is not enough space for this rose. If it were mine, I would put it into the ground, as long as your spot gets plenty of sun and heat (which I assume it does). Then I would give it AT LEAST three years to grow and get established before I decided anything about it - many OGRs need that long just to assume their real personalities.

Jackie

Thanks, Jackie, just the information that she's more double than La France is useful. I think I'll try putting her in the ground this fall when it cools off a bit and see what she does.

Aimee, like Jackie said, we can't choose for you. For me personally her flowers are the most perfect that I have. They're gorgeous and heavy and variable - or maybe she just goes through lots of stages as she's opening. I can find no fault with her in hot, humid Florida. She does not ball here. I have come to like her stiff canes. They're easier to control than floppier canes. She actually makes a tree canopy once fastened to something upright. She actually makes shade for me. (If I didn't have those abominable squirrels she'd have a lot more canes. They chew them off, leaving only stubs.) If you plan her spot well and have 20 to 25 running feet to spare, she can be an impressive addition to your garden.

Mine grows in amended sand with thick compost on top, so it's not great at holding water, but I have found that teas here do need to have some moisture constantly in the ground. They can't go dry and be very happy. I don't know if that fits your situation, if you have a gravelly soil that leaks worse than mine. If you grow other teas well, then I'm sure that won't be a problem.

The link below is her last flush. I did another post on her first two years that might be useful to you.
http://sherryocala.blogspot.com/2011/07/maman-cochet-climbing-first-two-years.html

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: The Amazing Maman Cochet, Climbing

Thanks, Sherry! I know you love her!
It's hard to judge a rose by seeing it only a couple times at a garden.

The photo you have of Maman with a muddled center make her absolutely different from La France Cl (which is never muddled and closer to a HT bloom) I was under the impression based on photos of Maman, that it was more of a HT bloom, too, but it looks like it changes a lot.
I love La France Cl, but I really love muddled/complex blooms, so that encourages me to give Maman more of a chance.

I do have a spot that could let her be 25 feet. I'm taking out a wisteria. haha...

How cool, Aimee. She'll like being in the ground!

Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: If only sweat were irrigation...

I've only seen the bush Maman Cochet, and a small one at that, so I was never really enthused until I saw Sherry's gorgeous monster. How I wish now that I'd planted it instead of Reve d'Or, although it would have been a challenge to find 25 feet for it to fill. Those huge blooms stole my heart. Aimee, we'll be expecting pictures soon!

Ingrid

I LOVE my Cl Maman Cochet She's been in the ground about 3 years now and is just beginning to really bloom. I have her on a pergola and she is steadily climbing across. Her blooms are to die for. One of the best OGR's for my climate (Arizona) I think.

I highly recommend her. Would not do without her. I have White Maman Cochet coming in October from ARE.

Aimee, La France has the fragrance Maman doesn't. La France also has the propensity to rust in this climate Maman doesn't. If La France's flowers open, they will last longer than Maman's, but Maman's are more likely to open without problems. That is based upon growing both in the same climate you garden in. Does that help? Kim

I've never tried Maman Cochet because of hardiness issues. LA FRANCE (Hybrid Tea, Guillot, 1867), on the other hand, has so far been stellar in my garden. The Climbing sport (1893) is definitely the best version of this rose because the large blooms like to hang their heads downward, a trait I look for in a climber. The fragrance is simply out of this world. The plant is vigorous, has reliable repeat bloom (esp. for a climber), and the canes aren't too thorny (just enough to know it is a rose). Thorniness is issue for me because many climbers are related to New Dawn and have inherited her vicious shark teeth. CLIMBING LA FRANCE is borderline hardy in zone 6 but does just fine growing up the Eastern side of my house. About the only real fault is a propensity for black spot, which is controllable with moderate spraying.

{{gwi:222721}}
Image of La France by labrea at the La France - Climbing sport thread.

I have Maman Cochet Cl on a pergola in my front yard. This is her third year and she is really blooming. She is big though so give her enough room. She does well in my climate so must like dry climates. I would highly recommend her for dry climates.

I had climbing Maman Cochet grown in zone 9 at my previous home.

She is huge and thorny. She needs space. In 3 years she gave such an abundance of ovely blooms.

Maman Cochet with Jesse Hildreth here.

I know this is an old post but how lovely Jacqueline. I’ve been looking at the Cochets wondering if they would do well for me in my hot humid 7a climate in Oklahoma with dampe clay soil.

I wish Sherryocala and Ingrid were still posting. I miss them.