Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on

Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 12:40

How big do you think GMB would get in my cold climate? I have a troublesome spot that only gets a little sun during the day from one side and then some full sun in the late afternoon from the west. I've had a heck of a time finding anything that would grow there. Shade plants like rhodies get too much sun and burn but sun plants don't get quite enough. The problem is it's beneath a big picture window and I can't have anything that gets 8 feet tall. I have plenty of width to fill, about 9 feet, but not a lot of height, maybe 3 to 5 feet tops. Is it possible to make it spread more sideways instead of up? I've been fascinated with GMB for years but have been afraid to try it because I don't know how big it will get here.

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RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by mad_gallica Z5 Eastern NY (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 12:49

Big.

Almost all hardy roses get big. The exceptions are those that get bigger. It is very common for once bloomers here to get at least as big as the 'official' sizes. English sizes are for heavily pruned plants, and may or may not be comparable to something you can achieve.

If you honestly are willing to give it almost infinite space sideways, look at R. nitida.

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by wirosarian z4b WI (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 12:50

Hi seil, I have GMB in my z4b area & it gets 8' tall for me....actually could even be taller with support but the canes arch over with the blooms. Larry

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by melissa_thefarm NItaly (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 12:55

What would you say to a suckering Gallica? or a few different varieties? There you would get low and wide in its most agreeable form.

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by nikthegreek 9b/10a E of Athens (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 14:10

Queen of Denmark seems to be a slightly tamer Alba (hybrid?).
Nik

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 15:44

OK, I'm very open to suggestions. The reason I was asking about GMB was because of the other thread that said it was pretty shade tolerant. This spot, like I said, doesn't get as much sun as most roses would need to bloom well. Which of your suggestions would be the most shade tolerant?

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by nikthegreek 9b/10a E of Athens (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 16:49

European once bloomers in general and Albas in particular are shade tolerant.
Nik

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by cath41 6a (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 23:31

Seil,

I think that 'Maiden's Blush' is a little smaller than 'Great maiden's Blush'. I hope that helps.

Cath

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Posted by bman1920 5b (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 0:17

I'm new to roses. But I think cath41 is on to something.

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by wirosarian z4b WI (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 14:19

one problem with cath41's advice, I bought my GMB as "Maiden's Blush" but after growing it, I've come to the conclusion I got GMB instead due to the long canes & a couple of rose growing friends agree with me. If you want "Small Maiden's Blush", you will have to find a rose vendor that you can trust to send you the right one. Fortunately I have the room to allow GMB grow to the size it wants to so I'm happy with the end result.

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 16:10

I can't seem to find any difference between them on HMF. When I put GMB in I get the same page as when I put in SMB?

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by wirosarian z4b WI (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 17:00

try this link:

Here is a link that might be useful: hmf maiden's blush, small

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by cath41 6a (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 22:45

Pickering carries both Great Maiden's Blush and Maiden's Blush. However, the Maiden's Blush is sold out. If Pickering is shipping to the US again, you may be able to get on their list for next year or maybe even for Fall.

Cath

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by PortlandMysteryRose 8 (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 14, 14 at 23:37

Maybe try Felicite Parmentier? Another lovely alba but much smaller. Carol

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by lori_elf z6b MD (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 15, 14 at 10:23

I have a Great Maiden's blush which grows to about 6' here, but I think it could easily be kept to 5' with harder pruning than I give mine (and of course taller if pruned lighter). You could train it horizontally if you put a trellis behind it too, though you'd have to train the canes when young because they are rather inflexible when mature. I also grow a Felicite Parmentier which grows about 4-5' and is more compact and bushy with less pruning required.

RE: Another Great Maiden's Blush question

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Posted by seil z6b MI (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 15, 14 at 17:03

Thanks wirosarian, that link did work and I figured out the differences between the two.

Carol and Lori, Felicite Parmentier is lovely and may indeed be a better choice for that spot. Thanks!

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