Great idea! ARe these rroses from HCR?On your list I only grow Corrnelia. She does get some dieback, but would make a nie lower bush also. She does well here on a low metal fence. My bush form of Cecile Brunner also dies back, but I don't know how she differrs from the climbing for. Let me know wherre you're ordering from before I make other suggestions.

Thanks Vaporvac, I went out to High Country Roses today to have a look at them.

My short list is now:

Golden Showers

Aimee Vibert

Flower Girl

September Celebration

and I added

George Olivia, zone 5, 6-8'H x 4-6'W, Shrub, Continuous repeat. - Liked the bloom and was low thorns.

5 is about the right number. Most of them were not in bloom so I didn't get to see the flowers. I may have to go back in another couple of weeks to see them again.

George is adorable. You will love him.

I don’t see Raspberry Cream Twirl on your list, and perhaps it wouldn’t be hardy in your climate, but she’s certainly low thorn.

Sheila,

George Olivia was the one that was in bloom. The flowers were so heavy on long stalks that they hung over the edge of the table. But I could tell I would love this rose.

Judi, thanks for the suggestion.

I never realized Veilchenblau was thornless! I would have totally done that on my fence as it would provide a nice backdrop for the other ones that rebloom. I read it's quite healthy also.

Vapor, the VB I got from HCRs is Donau which is a fine rose but not VB, FYI.

@Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley Vapor, I went looking for photos that might show stems of Veilchenblau, but there are very few out there. Jedmar has a few on HMF which show some short prickles, and then a couple which show the completely smooth stems more typical of mine. The most my V has ever had is more like prickly, stiff hairs on the flower stems and receptacle. Here's a couple of links, because Jedmar's pix are buried wayyyyy back in the older photos.

PRICKLES

TYPICAL SMOOTH STEM

MINE LOOKS LIKE THIS

EDIT: the links aren't working for me. Someone please let me know if they work for you. If not, I'll try reposting them.

EDIT 2: Well, I've tried deleting and replacing the links, but I suspect it's something wrong on HMF's end. A link to the main page works fine, as well as links to pages of photos. But a link for any single photo does not. So here's a link to the page with most of Jedmar's photos. The best one of a thornless stem is on the next page.

Thank you fig. They are not working but it might just be a temporary glitch. I'm okay with the few thorns for big monster roses. I grow 5 new dawns after all! However I wonder if V. is similar to Ghislaine de Feligonde Little thorns at the base of the leaves Annoying but not a deal breaker

@Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley Vapor, you can just go to HMF and look up the pix for Veilchenblau. Jedmar's photos are several pages back, but worth looking at. I think he has 5 pictures in total, three showing small prickles, two without.

Here's a link to the page with most of Jedmar's photos. The best one of a thornless stem is on the next page.

I was out weeding one of my beds and getting snagged by-every rose except one. I had to go back to check why this rose didnt grab me. In 8 years I never noticed that Soul Sister has no visable thorns. I dont know jf she grows in your zone or not but she bloomy and healthy

Wider than tall and maybe 3 ft tall. She has also given me 3 babies that just popped up .

Thanks Kristine,

I really like Soul Sister! I'm going to put it on my list. Your pictures are gorgeous! Thanks you for including the full bush picture.

Marie Pavie is a lovely nearly thornless polyantha rose with a gorgeous wafting old rose scent. I highly recommend it!

Thanks Aaron, That is a pretty one! Sold out for this year but can consider it for future. I like that it is zone 4 and a continuous bloomer.

I’m getting one from Pam at Angel Gardens who I think has more.