That is beautiful Ingrid. I have Star of the Republic and love the rose. I placed it next to Colette and Evelyn. I had to move it away from a greedy Arizona Cypress tree so it is not mature.

Oh my gosh, that is beautiful, Sheila. I really like the leaves also which don't have the usual generic rose leaf look. The rose in the background seems too pink to be either Evelyn or Colette, or am I wrong? At any rate I'd like it shipped to my garden.

The backround one is Colette, Ingrid. It seems Star is more toward yellow peach and Colette is pink peach.

I have just a short statement about ARE. Twig Darby is still a twig. I love your roses, Sheila. Do you have more photos of Evelyn and Colette? Where did you get those two? Diane

I hVe Rockwell Sesquicentennial and I love it. it’s been in a pot for four years, grows to about 2’ high,and has wonderful cream roses that turn pink in cooler weather. I’m in triple-digit land and Rockwell, given of course that it’s watered, will do fine there. Mine is in a patio that gets afternoon shade.

Personally I like its fragrance, but it may not be to everyone’s taste.

The bloom is about 3-4” wide wide, and i believe it is thornless,

I think I got own root Colette from Northland Rosarium, Diane. My Evelyn on this South side is ownroot from Heirloom. It moved from my inner courtyard sand with Leyland Cypress root invasion because of it's pathetic starvation. It then had roots eaten by gophers within a few months and had to spend 8 months in a pot growing new roots. I replanted it in a gopher basket next to Star of the Republic which had also moved from a bad spot. The Colette has not had trauma. I'll try to find a couple photos.

Colette

Colette in front of Star of the Republic

Evelyn after trauma bravely keeping calm and carrying on.

La France saying Hi to Ingrid.

Evelyn will be really coming on next Spring.

This is the same Evelyn by this September.

Oh my goodness, I was so very happy to see your beautiful La France, Sheila. When my new one is more than a bunch of little twigs it will be waving happily back at you. All your roses are outstanding and I have to think it's just that they're so darn happy to be in your garden.

Sylvia, I had been eying Rockwell Sesquicentennial and am glad that you're happy with yours in what appear to be trying temperatures. All the roses I've ordered will be in late afternoon shade which nowadays in my garden is the only place I dare to put them. Toward the end of my previous garden even roses that had very adequate drip watering that were in the sun deteriorated over time until the ground squirrels mercifully put an end to their existence.

Sheila, I can't help it, I keep scrolling back up to and enlarging the photo of La France. I feel such an emotional connection with that rose, probably because it's such an unmistakably and quintessential old rose, with all the romance and charm that goes with that. I'm thrilled that you have her.

I have killed lots of pioneer roses, but they are too beautiful not to go on trying. Roses that do best in my yard in Houston grow like tea roses, very slow and steady at first, might not do much in the first few years while the roots are biting down but then suddenly you see they have made it and are happy. Some roses seem happy and flowery after they are put in, in winter or early spring, then kick the bucket when the heat cranks up in summer, so I'd rather have a slow steady grower. It takes three years before I feel it is safe to say a rose has "made it" in my yard. So far the only pioneer rose to have "made it" is Star of the Republic, which has been in place now maybe 5 years, blooms reliably and increasingly heavily in spring with pretty foliage too; mostly dormant in summer, with some showing in fall. So beautiful when it does bloom, large flowers and a scent that is lovely and unusual. More recent purchases are still on trial. I got three in spring 2021:: Gypsy Sue, Crawfish Etouffee and Brazos Belle. Gypsy Sue is growing slowly, flower is pretty, a delicate pale apricot, have not seen many of them yet but I'll be happy if it lives. Crawfish Etouffee is in my "hot colors" bed.. I have seen only a few flowers which are a deep, ineffable, distinctive and to-die-for shade of warm red, I do hope it lives. Brazos Belle is still in its nursery pot because it is such a chili thrips magnet, I have wanted to keep it away from the other roses. I am on the fence about it. It is always ugly with small deformed leaves and few flowers, also pale and deformed--not sure if I'll keep it, though I would love to see it put out even one nice flower. Houston is tough for any kind of rose though and I've killed many roses that are not Pioneer roses and many plants that are not roses too.

Sheila, I agree with Ingrid that your Lafrance is a wonderful rose.

You really have some gorgeous roses set off by that beautiful sky.

starmade, I appreciate hearing about your experience. Since I have Star of the Republic I'm glad that yours is a success, although I gather that tea roses do better for you. They also do really well here, but I wanted to branch out a bit and try the Texas roses again. In the final analysis only one's personal experience is reliable, but it's always interesting to find out how others have fared with the same rose.

Sheila, your roses are all so gorgeous and healthy looking! I love the deep colors of the heart of your Evelyn, and she's growing beautifully! I join the chorus of praise for your La France ! Star of the Republic and Colette have such luscious blooms!

Wow what a fantastic collection!!

Sylvia, it's so great to read your review of Rockwell Sesquicentennial! I've had my eye on that one for a long time, and I'm happy to read that she's container-friendly. If I ever find a seller in Europe I would love to add her!

I happened upon an old thread here on the Pioneer roses which extolled Thomas Affleck. and I just now ordered one! I have a lot of paler roses and really no very deep pink roses, unless Lauren and Reine de Violettes tend toward that shade in my climate, so a hunky great bush like Thomas should lend considerable impact.

@Ingrid_vc zone 9b, San Diego Co. inlandi, I was thinking I only had two of these great roses, but now realizses I probably have four, including te wonderful Thomas Affleck! Its a really great rose here with excellent health and vigor. Of course, we get a lot of rain!Star of the Republic is also another star! Here, it has a lankier growth habit, so Ive rested it against my metal front fence where she intermingnles with Purple Skyliner. Brazos Bell is a myuch shorter, more horizontally growing rose. Its been beset with midge so not the bloomer id hoped, but that may not be the case if I treated her. I now disbud and treat all my roses to be sure the are midge free, :(( Ill post a pic in a bit because this rose is really lovely with a beautiful fruity fragrance that suits the flower. One other I grow is Caroline Hunt. While shes a BS magnet here, shes still a good bloomer with very unusual and charming flowers. Shes remained quite short. Not much fragrance, but I dont pay her so much mind as I do my taller roses. Wish someone else grew her for comparison. The above post is the first mention Ive read for Brazos Belle, as well.

Vaporvac, I also grow Caroline Hunt. It’s very healthy until mid-summer and then drops about half of its leaves. I don’t spray or fertilize, and it’s not well mulched or regularly watered, but I would guess it would perform better if I showed it more kindness. I actually really like this rose. Interesting, bright pink fowers that to me have a gorgeous fragrance. They have such pretty white speckles and streaks that add a nice contrast. I have several of ARE’s pioneer and trailblazer roses.

More Caroline Hunt after a downpour.

Your pics have capured her colour and charm perfectly!

Brazos Belle.

Both Caroline Hunt and Brazos Belle are beautiful roses. I have to say I appreciate these roses that have fewer petals; they definitely have a charm of their own. Am I right in thinking that Caroline Hunt bears some similarity to Thomas Affleck?

That’s beautiful! Hows the repeat on your Star of the Republic? HMF says scattered later blooms, but it looks like a rose that reblooms More.

It reblooms when there is abundant water.

hat is also my experience. It is a constant bloomer rather than blooming in large flushes here.

Patrick, that's really good to hear about Star of the Republic, and I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing the first blooms on mine next spring/summer. I'm happy to hear about the nice foliage and almost smooth canes. I'm in inland San Diego County and SotR will hopefully be happy here.

I have been buying roses from the Texas Antique Rose Emporium for years.

I’ve had the Louis Phillippe, Cramoisi Superior, Crawfish Etoufee, Gardenia, Julia Child, LaMarne, Duchess Brabant, Zephirine Drouhin, Lady of Shallot climber, Lark Rising, and Firecracker, as well as many others.

The roses grew well in Florida, and grow even better in Northern California.

I can highly recommend TARE.

Well, Twig Darby is still a twig here. Diane

Right now I have Sweet Frances, La Vicomtesse, Rockwall Sesquicentennial and Cole's Settlement of the Pioneer Roses but their continued survival is iffy courtesy of the ground squirrels. Most of my roses are in cages now and even that hasn't been an entire success but for me the Pioneer Roses are otherwise healthy and willing bloomers. ARE roses have been top quality for me overall for any number of years.

Oh dear, I'm now finding that the definitely pink is definitely white of my Rockwall Sesquicentennial - it would be the first time I've received an incorrect rose from ARE, but I'm withholding judgment after studying this rose on HMF.

Ingrid, Rockwall’s color will vary with light and heat. Mine are pink at first but then turn white. It’s a great rose.

Thank you, Sylvia, I do note that there are pink shadings in the middle now that the blooms have opened more. I think the picture in the ARE catalog is misleading, showing a more even pink tone, but of course it's all about location. I really wanted a rose with no white as the white Cole's Settlement is nearby, but I must say that this little rose has a lot of buds and may turn out to be a blooming machine.

I agree with Sylvia - my Rockwall is usually a soft white with a barest hint of pink, even in part sun. It's still an enthusiastic and reliable bloomer and maybe short enough to deter the varmints who want to get into your cages. The Pioneer roses are wonderful for me and hopefully for you. If you want another suggestion in soft apricot, the Prairieville Prince is a large and terrific bloomer for me.

Here's hoping the ground squirrels leave them alone!

Cynthia

Nippstress, that confirms what I'm seeing and that's unfortunate as I'm not terribly fond of white roses any more, except for Marie Pavie which I also have, although it's never bloomed due to you know what. The wire cages are temporary as I can't enjoy the roses like that. I have a new squirrel deterrent spray coming today and we shall see how that works.

Prairieville Prince is new to me and quite gorgeous, and your description and that on HMF is very positive; certainly it's a rose I'd keep in mind for next year if things work out.

We moved from PA to the Champlain Islands, VT last year, and I am getting used to the new microclimate (zone 5b, interesting lake effect near Lake Champlain). I planted Grandma’s Red in early summer, and the buds keep balling, despite average amounts of rain and heat and humidity nowhere near levels in TX. Has anyone else had this issue?

I got Always Dream this year and am totally delighted with it. Beautiful pink blooms all over the plant that show up beautifully in the yard. It is tough and grows fast. I would like another but waiting til I finish planting all my potted roses. This one is a really nice one and highly recommended in my hot Texas climate.