Happy New Year farmerduck.

I live in the bay area, 40 miles east of SFO on the Delta. We are warmer, colder, and not as wet as the city.

I am not an expert, yet, but one of my roses that doesn't get huge (like Pristine or Gemini) is St. Patrick. Many blooms and very healthy foliage. I don't really pay attention to thorns much, but once again NOTHING like Pristine, who happens to be my very well armed favorite.

I have Austins, but they are only 3-4 months old so I cant say much. Lady Emma Hamilton is already blooming (yes now!) and looks to be a healthy, gorgeous, and terrifically fragrant girl. She is a graft so she is actually older than 5 months. Most of mine are own root so are really young.

Hope this helps,

andrea

I live in San Jose and most roses do very well here. Personally I would stay away from the austin roses because they become bushy with a lot of canes that need cutting. Many also have a lot of thorns to deal with. I don't know what color you are looking for ; but Julia Child is a beautiful yellow that glows with any other color that is put next to it. It does not clash with apricot colors and has punch when surrounded by lavender. Good luck, remember almost all roses grow well here unless your friend lives in SF itself. Then watch for Black spot and mildew due to the heavy summer fog up there.
Judith

The SF Bay Area is a huge area - what city does your friend live in? You will get better advice if we know.

How much space does your friend have for these roses? Could one be a climber?

Jackie

Thank you, everyone! It sounds like that the Bay Area is generally very roses-friendly.

Jackie -- She lives in Pleasanton.

Judith -- JC is a great rose. Not sure about the thorny part though.

Pleasanton is easterly of Hayward which puts it in a hotter dryer climate than SF.

I don't recommend 'Heritage'. Mine took forever to establish and a cut bloom lasts one day. Not very disease resistant here.

I second 'Julia Child' if she likes yellow. For orange 'Living Easy' is minimal care. 'Day Breaker' (pink, orange, and yellow in one blossom) is a bloom machine.

'Moondance' (creamy white) I've heard is also a bloom machine and lasts well.

I live in Lafayette and work in Pleasanton. The climate is very similar. Pleasanton may be a little warmer.
Last year I planted Double Delight, Peace, Olympiad and St. Patrick. This year I bought Fire Fighter, PJP2, Just Joey, Julia Child and Chrysler Imperial.

For a while, Jackson Perkins grew roses in Pleasanton.

I live in the Bay Area and close to the bay so I sometimes have to spray my roses for powdery mildew. However, one of my no-spray roses and easy going is Livinâ Easy. Here is its info.

Height / Habit: Medium, rounded
Bloom / Size: Large, double
Petal count: 25 to 30
Fragrance: Moderate fruity

Here is the close up image of Livinâ Easy from my garden last year.

Many thanks, everyone. DW has placed an order based on your recommendations.

Bayerea-girl -- your Easy Living/flower bed look lovely!