Wow. I just about fell off my chair when I saw someone in Arizona posting about Milkmaid. This rose is very uncommon, even here is Australia.

It's my favourite Alister Clark rose, but I don't grow it because it gets massive. Really really massive. I ordered Lorraine Lee this year instead (probably his most popular rose, because it flowers in winter).

Congratulations on your purchase of a fantastic rose. I hope you get some more helpful responses.

I bought it as well, it's still it in the pot and it's still the same size as when I got it. Please tell me the climate, soil conditions, etc...

How often does it bloom? I have 8 acres so placement isn't a problem, I have room, but it will need the right spot.

New garden, I'm in Arizona, so very hot and dry. I planted it this winter, probably January (I'm not a very good record keeper). It is planted in my clay soil, amended with organic material. It gets morning sun and mostly afternoon shade. It bloomed this spring but none since. I think it is a once bloomer?

Hope,this helps.

I just looked at mine and it's starting to get new growth.

It is, apparently, a repeat flowering rose. But it may need some time to develop. One of its parents was Crepuscule, which is a prolific bloomer here, so it should show some repeat eventually. In one of our rose gardens in Victoria, Australia it gets full sun and seems to handle it fine. I think the soil there is heavily amended acidic clay. I don't know if that rose is grafted or not - but it is most likely grafted, being that it is Australia. I don't know about winter hardiness, sorry.

Fragrance is described as 'milk and honey'. It seems to be relatively prostrate in growth habit if not trained on a support, so it would be great for scrambling down a slope. It's fairly think and bushy, and will easily get to 14' high and 8' wide with support or something to climb on.

This makes me both sad and happy at the same time. Mine was lost to the cold this winter, and I am still mourning the loss. I'm pleased to hear yours is doing so well now though! Please post pictures!

Josh

I'm not far, once mine takes off I'll try rooting some Josh.

Hello. Anyone getting repeat bloom on Milkmaid? She is so vigorous and beautiful. If she doesn't repeat I just can't keep her.
Susan

I haven't grown her, but I have only ever heard of her as being once-flowering. Alister Clark's main aim in his breeding programme was for heat-tolerance, to suit Australian conditions, so perhaps it struggles in the cold?

Thanks Comtesseâ¦.I found an Old Rose Advisor on GoogleBooks. It is once blooming.
I'm thinking I will send it up a treeâ¦.It's just too pretty to part with!
However, I went out today to find that it has been viciously attacked by mites! I hope I can save it. It's so vigorous surely it can fight them off but they really have damaged the plant severely.
Susan