Wow @Fire. If you have to choose just one red climber which would it be?
It's way too early to say, as this is their first massed year of flowering. Tbh, the blooms on all are very similar (and Ena too) to my untrained eye. The smell is gorg on all, and as I mentioned, some are related.
Etoile d'H probably probably nails my brief best as it's a powerful plant that can cover a shed on it's own, yet is not mad like a rambler. I can't really speak to health or repeating yet, but in terms of deep colour, deep scent (in first few days of bloom opening), ease of training, and enthusiam - Etoile hits all the buttons. I do spend a fair amount of time up a ladder. The bees can get into the blooms (not full double doubles) which is an important aspect. I'm not into the super-packed bloom look; I want to see the centre. It's depressing seeing bees trying to get access and being thwarted by the density.
Etoile took off like a rocket the first year throwing up four+ metre canes; it took a year of mulling and pondering life in 2021 - it didn't move much or bloom much. Then choose this year to explode in bloom. I have zero new basal growth on any those four red types. The growth arc might be to do with what I did or didn't do for it, rather than anything inate to the rose.
Everything in bud here but still showing no colour. For now, I have to content myself with the last of the Tulips and incoming Rhodi season Rose bed underplanting has really filled out. I'm going to have to cut back from the base of the roses at this rate. I'm also away at month end so too hope I don't miss the early rose show.
Interesting, thanks @Fire. Yes I guess it depends on what you want, but EH sounds a winner so far. Looking good @owd potter - enjoy your trips both. Whenever OH suggests a jaunt away, I go into a minor garden panic, which is a bit sad really 😆Â
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
A heavy shower just happened, so needed, but not long enough, the main band of rain just skimmed us. Still I thought good to top up depleted water butts only to discover the inlet pipe to my main butt had become disconnected and spewed the water all over the patio instead. I could weep.
But your foxes and roses cheered me mightily @Fire, shame you will miss some but it's so pretty already. Good luck with GdeF, mine is pretty vigorous in a shady alleyway between 2 houses, it is pretty evergreen too, far too many leaves to defoliate by hand so Ileft them.
You showed us yours @Nollie, here's my ugly duckling, the tuteur is too small and hideous but the most I was prepared to spend costwise, the branches are still heading skyward so I placed it high to catch them. We will see next year whether I need to start again. It's in a pot and only once blooming so although I like the foliage it can be hidden away for the summer.
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For now, I have to content myself with the last of the Tulips and incoming Rhodi season
Rose bed underplanting has really filled out. I'm going to have to cut back from the base of the roses at this rate.
I'm also away at month end so too hope I don't miss the early rose show.
Olive Rose Austin is also showing very promising buds. In any event I'm enjoying the foliage on this rose.