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Re: A selection of Roses for Houston, TX

> 1st.  There are several micro and mini roses which I have seen listed as
> good for
> Houston or have on some want lists and I was wondering if anyone had a source?
> Those I thought looked intriguing are "Black Jade", "Rainbows End", "Orange
> Honey", "Jean Kenneally" and the "Maurine Neuberger" (on a wish list).

I've grown a mini in the ground for a couple of years now and it's done
fine (in Austin -- less rain, but a lot of humidity and heat).

> 3rd.  The Texas Rose Rustlers recommmended against growing the following types
> of roses in Houston:  Rugosas, Albas, Damask, Centifolias and of course 
> Perpetual Hybrids.  What problems would I have with these categories 
> (especially the Rugosas and Albas).

Dunno, other than probably being more susceptible to powdery mildew
and/or black spot -- fungal diseases caused by the warmth and humidity
-- or failure to perform in our very hot conditions.  Perhaps some of
these would do better in semi-shade if the latter is true.

> 4th.  Being a real nut for History I would very much like to get and grow the
> three "Historic Roses of England".  Those being the Alba semi-plena (Rose of
> York) and the Rosa gallica officionalis (Apothecary's Rose, Rose of Lancaster)
> and the Rosa gallica versicolor (Rosa Mundi).  Does anyone know of a source
> for 
> these or other 15th/16th/17th century roses?  Are these extremely difficult to
> grow in Houston?

The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham is an excellent suggestion.  Also,
mail ordering antique roses is a common practice; I suggest Heritage Old
Garden Roses, Roses Unlimited, Pickering's in Canada (prices still
reasonable), and Michael's Roses in Sacramento.  Surfing for these ought
to turn up contacts.  HOGR is in the PNW; RU in SC; and Pickering's in
Ontario.  HOGR and RU are strictly own-root, which is good; you'd have
to ask Michael's and Pickering's whether your specific rose is own-root
or grafted.  

Several Austin local nurseries carry a big supply of antique roses,
mostly shipped in from Brenham (you *can* mail order from Brenham too --
they have a catalogue).  I'd bet calling a few organic-styled nurseries
in Houston would turn up these things.  Houston is so non-native plant
oriented compared to Austin and hybrid tea crazy that it might be a
hunt, but I bet they're there somewhere.  Here in Austin, GardenVille
always has the largest selection, followed by Park Place Gardens.  If
you are desperate, call Living Earth Technologies.  Their rose soil is
supposedly endorsed by the Houston Rose Society; they deliver the stuff
all over to nurseries; and they might be able to give you a lead on who
has the most roses.

-- 
Amy Moseley Rupp (amyr@austx.tandem.com)  Austin, TX, USDA z8b, Sunset z30
Amy Moseley (amy@ece.utexas.edu) Graduate Student in Software Engineering
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