I am a new gardener, and would really appreciate a bit of advice! I am trying to select the roses that I will order from Palatine Roses. If anyone could chime in on their experience with these varieties, or if they find other roses to be better, that would be great!

Floribundas:
Daybreaker
Iceberg
Elegant Fairy Tale

Climbers:
Harlekin Kiss of Desire
Aloha Hawaii

Along with the climbers, I am planning to grow a Venosa Violacea clematis.

Thank you!
Sarah

So Daybreaker... Are the colors pretty enough to be worth a bit of sluggishness? Northland Rosarium has a potted Mardi Gras. Would that be a better one to go with?

I also think the Fairy Tale Queen of Hearts and Pomponella look beautiful! Any experience with these?

Kate

The only bad thing about Iceberg is that it stretches the definition of Floribunda. It is wildly/widely ranging, and does not like to remain short. It will spread almost like a climber, except at a somewhat smaller pace. Still, it tolerates heavy pruning/deadheading, so that can help keep it check.

Some posters would say the hybrid teas are much more disease-prone, but like other types of roses, some are more and others are less disease-prone--and floribundas aren't necessarily more disease-resistant--some may be, others will not be.

HTSs tend to have much larger blooms; floribundas tend to have smaller blooms in clusters. Floribundas tend to have a rounder bush-type shape. Some posters complain that HTs are not attractive bushes--all they have going for them is big, fat, gorgeous blooms. But to many posters, that is what makes the HTs the most beautiful of all the roses.

And we haven't even got started on the old roses yet!

I can't tell you about Dream Come True, but do you know helpmefind.com? Storehouse of info and pics on just about every rose in existence. I'm sure it can tell you more about Dream Come True.

Kate

Palatine has Kordes rose Eliza which is very healthy in my sister's garden here and has amazing vigor and repeat. It is mildly fragrant. Great for cut flowers too. I am thinking to add it to my garden too.
In my garden Floral Fairy Tale has good resistance, as well as climber Laguna.
Olga

I've been very happy with it, but I just moved it on Sunday. I did not give it a big enough support structure, and it was too close to it's neighbors. I couldn't get between Harlekin and the other roses to do normal deadheading.

Flowers are very "cute"; not a tight spiral, more a loose, decorative form with great scent and lovely little picotee. Repeat is decent on my immature plant, and each terminal end sets 3 blooms. The center one opens first, like normal, and then the 2 sidebuds. Flowers don't last long, but having three buds each time gives the illusion of long-lasting blooms.

I really like Harlekin and hope she survives the cruelly imposed move we did last weekend.

I have Harlekin and really like her. I'm not usually big on those colors in my garden, but she's a beautiful rose. I probably haven't had her long enough to mention anything important, but things look great so far. Fast repeat for a young plant (and in general). Her colors are not as consistent as some photos may imply, so keep that in mind. Mine is usually more of a dark pink blend than red, and that's likely due to the heat we have here. I wanted a deep pink, so it works well for me :)

HTs and floribundas in general have BS problems. More recently, they are trying to breed better health in a number of them, but there are still many gorgeous roses on the market that are total disease-magnets. The problem is that they really are gorgeous.

Kate

That said, my philosophy on roses over the years has changed from doing lots of background research before buying, to just buying something and see how it does in my garden. You never know, one person's star could be a dud for you and the way you like to garden. Then again, something that doesn't work for me might grow brilliantly for you.

I always have a few roses I'm giving a trial run in pots. If they turn out good, I find a spot. If they are duds, I give them a way or toss them in the garbage.

NOw if you want a huge show off rose that is fabulous, I most highly recommend Palatine's South Africa!

I appreciate everyone's advice! I haven't made a final decision yet, but am certain I will stick with Kordes roses this year, trying roses from the different classes.

I just can hardly wait until Spring, though!