Wow, it's grown pretty tall again already! My friend in Northern Mich. says hers is doing qell too.

Looking good!

Westerland is still fighting to recover from a long cold winter here. Many of the canes which survived seem weakened. The new growth from the ground is quite vigorous however. One cane has already grown 4'.

My problem is worsened because the Venosa Violacea clematis which shares the arbor is now 8' and reaching the top with a thick mat of vines. I have to knit vines each morning in order to give Westerland enough sun to continue growing.

My own root 'Westerland', growing in much more shade than it would like and in an intensively planted bed with a lot of competition, had a good amount of winter die back this year. It was left with only about 12 inches of green cane after spending the winter with no mulch or protection. It is now looking extremely healthy and is growing vigorously, currently about 4 feet by 4 feet and just about to open its first blooms. While not my favorite rose, I enjoy its searing orange color, sweet fragrance and health.