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Sun, Oct 16, 11 at 0:08
| I am having an awful time deciding between Princess Alexandra of Kent and Leonardo da Vinci, both beautiful roses. Because of space limitations, I can only have one. I'm in a rose friendly climate, very dry, with no bs to worry about. My Austins, for the most part, do well here, but the three Romantica roses I have are kind of underwhelming. Those photos of Leonardo on HMF are to die for, but I can't find a U.S. seller of this rose, which baffles me, so that leaves me with Hortico, which does offer Leonardo. I've ordered once before from them with no problems, but I'm aware of the threads on the forum about Hortico and its troubling service, and I'm afraid to order again. I love PA of Kent, too, but like the looks of Leonardo a little better. What about the rebloom of these two--that's really important to me? Thanks for any help you can offer. Diane |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by karenforroses z5 NorthernMI (My Page) on Sun, Oct 16, 11 at 19:48
| I've grown an own-root Leonardo da Vinci for a number of years, and put in Princess Alexandra of Kent this spring. They are both excellent roses and hardy in my zone 5 garden. They are also both quite disease resistant. It is a little difficult to compare some things about them until I've had PA of Kent another year or two, but here are some observations for now: PAK has much more fragrance than LDV, if fragrance is one of your criteria. PAK has larger blooms that are very beautiful, changing as they mature. On the other hand, LDV has more blooms per flush (smaller but more on the bush). LDV stays a compact, upright 3 l/2 to 4 feet and about 3 feet wide. PAK is doing the "Austin Sprawl" - longer canes that want to go sideways. However, as I said, PAK is a first-year rose, and many of my Austins get more upright and less of a sprawler as they mature, so that could change for PAK as well. LDV holds its blooms longer than PAK, but PAK makes a more beautiful cut flower. Leonardo da Vinci Princess Alexandra of Kent Princess Alexandra of Kent as it matures (middle darkens) |
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| Hi karenforroses, Thanks so much for your information and great photos. I'm surprised at how large PAK is for a first year rose. Her dark centers remind me of my new Young Lycidas, which I really like. Do you mind my asking where you got LDV? Diane |
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- Posted by karenforroses z5 NorthernMI (My Page) on Mon, Oct 17, 11 at 12:34
| Hi Diane, I got PAK from David Austin Roses. She sure is a beauty. |
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- Posted by vickysgarden 5 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 7, 12 at 16:58
| Well, I'm convinced...and your pictures helped convince me...I ordered BOTH Leonardo da Vinci and Princess Alexandra of Kent roses! Now, to place them....would they look good side-by-side? The color of Princess Alexandra seems to be somewhat similar to my Lady Elsie May rose (which is coral-pink, a pink on the orangey side.) Maybe it would go there? What do you think? And anyone who grows Munstead Woods...what colors does that go well with? Light pink? Or...? I would be interested in your thoughts on what color combos work well together with either Munstead Woods or Princess Alexandra. |
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