In a very different climate to you, but here's my 20c worth.
I just use a good quality potting mix with a good sand content, and mix in some pulverised sheep manure and worm castings. Mulch with some aged pine bark.

I definitely agree with your choice of FB. He's one of my best performers in my potted garden. I'd also highly recommend Sophies Perpetual. She has a lovely form and repeats very well for me.

Adam

Have you looked at Antique Rose Emporium? If you haven't, definitely check them out!

Good luck and welcome back to the world of roses! Your garden was gorgeous, look forward to seeing what roses you choose!

Michaela

I am on the hunt for Frances Dubrueil that is going to be my first. I had forgotten about Antique Rose Emporium. Thanks you just made them a sale if they have it!

What would be the right size of container to get? Someone give me a shout out

I live 2 hours from Chamblees. Call them and ask for Ron - see if he might have one available or know when they might be - ask him for advice on what to plant in a container, he is very knowledgeable.

You might try floribundas in a pot or the Drift roses. I love the peachy Easy Does It. There are some new Kordes roses out that Chamblees has that I think will be good pot roses and bloom lots. Good luck - glad you are getting some roses! Cant imagine my life without them.
Judith

alameda I sent an email to Chamblees before I remember my garden web account. It was still active! I am hoping he has one but on his website he showed not available for sale. That sucks. They haven't started being open on weekends yet so I am hoping Monday he emails me with his Francis Dubreuil that is for sure going to be in a container on my porch. I miss having roses. Thanks everyone.

Just a suggestion -- I've been happy with the resin barrel planters I found at Home Depot. They're 22 1/2" in diameter at the top, tapering a bit narrower at the base. They are about 15" tall. Of all the pots about that size I was able to find, it was the most reasonably priced at just $20. See links below, but be aware that for some reason, these barrels appear twice on the Home Depot website with two different pictures, but it's the same product for both links.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-22-5-in-Resin-Whiskey-Barrel-HDR-505742/203580708

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southern-Patio-22-5-in-dia-Rustic-Oak-Resin-Whiskey-Barrel-with-Iron-Band-HDR-023395/205626595

:-)

~Christopher

I have heard SDLM does well in a container. And on ARE site they have a listing of roses that do well in containers. Good luck, I can't imagine being without my roses either.

Definitely do not use wood barrels as I know from personal experience they disintegrate quickly in heat and humidity. Use any of the lightweight composit pots. I use a dolly to move mine around. I have in pots: Pink Pet, White Pet, Clotilde Soupert, SDLM, Softee, Red Drift, Peach Drift, Margot Koster, and Levison Gower. I also have Lady Hillingdon and Leonie Lamesh in pots, but both will eventually have to go in the ground. Lady Hillingdon has been very slow growing for me here.

Someone on this forum from TX often said Marie Pavie and Ducher were very good for them in pots.

Havent tried those 2 but Heinrich Karsch and Baby Fauraux are great for me in pots - they are polyanthas, bloom all the time.
Judith

Get plastic or the newer resin/foam ones. Just make sure you put good drainage holes in them As for size go as big as you can find and put wheeled pot trolleys under them both to get them off the ground for better drainage and to make them easier to move around. Even if you think you will never, ever have to move them, believe me, eventually something will come up and you will!

Hi, Angelsmama. I, too, downsized from a large rose garden when I moved a few years ago. I believe I've begun to appreciate the roses that I do still grow even more than I did the many I used to grow. My roses and I are more intimate. Diminutive choices: there are lots that grow well in pots. (That sounds a little Dr. Seussish, doesn't it?) I grew up in Dallas, TX, and found/find these to be good bets: Frances Dubreuil, Marie Pavie, Ducher, Hermosa, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Clotilde Soupert, Martha Gonzales, and Baby Faurax. Frances (which you mentioned as a first choice), Marie P, Souvenir, and Clotilde are fragrant. Please do post pics of your pot pets! -Carol

Probably not a real antique, but I also recommend Sweet Chariot. It's like a miniature Bourbon and perfect for pots or even hanging baskets.

FD is looking amazing right now. He really seems to like pot culture.

He sure does! That's gorgeous. I bought mine potted last Dec. and repotted him into his final home. Since then he has flowered repeatedly except for a break in July /August. I grew him in the ground years ago and he never did much, but he was a very wimpy bare root that time.

I'm also in a very different climate than you, but I would suggest the miniature rose 'Sweet Chariot'. It has blooms that look a lot like an antique rose, is very fragrant & prolific.

If you want a compact, perfumed, disease resistant, constantly flowering (from May until October) rose, may I suggest Gruss an Aachen? I really love her blooms. She grows very well for me in zone 9 so I'm sure it would do well for you in zone 8. Check out the 'Gruss an Aachen' thread on this page.

I second the above recommendation for Gruss an Aachen in a container.

You are wise to have Francis Dubreuil at the top of your wish list for a container. You can order one from The Antique Rose Emporium. That's what I did.

Randy

Angelsmama, will your roses be on a balcony or do you have a ground level apartment? Many balconies are not up to the weight of a lot of potted plants. You mention "a couple" of roses and if you are on a balcony, it might not be a smart plan to go for any more than that. I second the suggestions of resin or styrofoam pots. They will reduce the weight somewhat.