Return to the Antique Roses Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by clanross 7b Virginia (My Page) on
Fri, Mar 7, 14 at 15:54

I am getting ready to make a big rose order and would like to try an Alba rose. Preferable a shrub, not a climber. Are there any that will not do well here? What do you recommend? Thank you! :)

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

You do know albas bloom once only, right? They tend to bloom early, for about two-three weeks in warm climates. You might consider Mme. Plantier/Armida, which is thought to be an alba/Noisette hybrid. It can be grown as an umbrella shaped free standing shrub or can be trained to climb, in which case it behaves like a short rambler. The canes are long and flexible. I don't know about disease in warm and wet climates. In my yard, in cold and wet NY, I see no disease on Mme. Plantier at all.

If you like the graceful alba look, have you considered Noisettes, which have similar virtues and rebloom as well?

My MP, and its' duplicate which claimed to be Armida ,
are about 4' tall and 6' wide, but the variety can tolerate more pruning than I like to do. Be sure to prune after the bush has finished blooming.

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

While I have never grown any Albas due to zoning, I've heard that Konigin von Danemark is a great first Alba. It seems to be bulletproof by all accounts.

Josh

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

I have not grown The Alexandra Rose, but have seen it and have been impressed with its loveliness. David Austin says it has alba parentage and its beautiful glaucous (greyish-bluish) green leaves show that. Its single flowers are soft creamy yellow touched with pink and it is a repeater. I think it makes a medium to large shrub.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Alexandra Rose

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thanks, everyone. Yes, I understand that they bloom only once. I have lately moved to Virginia from South Mississippi, so just wanted to check and see if I have moved far enough North to give them a try. ;) I can safely say that it is much cooler here than in New Orleans, but perhaps not cool enough. ??? The Austins I have grown have been beautiful, but not without lots of spraying. Maybe they fare better in Va.

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

In my completely different climate, I greatly admire Maiden's Blush (pale pink) and Alba Semi-Plena, though really I like pretty much all of them. Our dear friend (and rose grower par exellence) Carol Meyer who lived in South Carolina had a great favorite in Madame Legras de St. Germain. I would imagine it would also do very well for you since it did well in her climate.

Rosefolly

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Alba Semi-plena - the ur-alba to beat all others (in my book). Incomparable, classic, graceful, fragrant and HEALTHY

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Felicite Parmentier is a more compact growing alba with the most refined fragrance and beautiful flowers, my favorite of the group. Will get some blackspot but not too bad. I also love Great Maiden's Blush but it is bigger. They bloom a little later than the repeat bloomers in my garden which spreads out the first flush. Konigen Von Danemark has iron clad blackspot resistence but the flowers sometimes don't open well in wet weather here, can be disappointing in some years.

o
RE: Best Alba for southern Va

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thank you, everyone. The Albas are now on my "list". I have quite a bit of "prep" work on the new place -- we hope to take possession of it by month's end -- but should have plenty of room to indulge my rose and general gardening greed. ;)

o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Antique Roses Forum

Information about Posting

  • You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
  • Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
  • We have a strict no-advertising policy!
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.


Learn more about in-text links on this page here