What new roses does everyone have for this year?

[lunar1]

After swearing I wouldn't buy anymore roses, they sent that anniversary catalog through from David Austin. So I'm now looking forward to 5 boscobell and one Elizabeth shrub roses flowering this year.

Last summer I also planted two bathesba climbing roses on an arch, they were still shrub size at the end of last season but have really taken off up the trellis at the start of this year so I'm really excited to see them.

I think my husband has hidden the catalog now as I can't find it anywhere!

Agatha is a fab choice. I love Kordes roses. They're so reliable.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a very fast growing rambler or climber. Have a lot of fence to fill- will need those wires and eyes I think but want something that will take off!

Madame Alfred Carriere, Cecile brunner (the climbing one), New Dawn and zepherine Drouhin are all very vigorous and will cover an area fast, but they can get huge, how tall is the fence?

I plan on buying David Austin’s “Charlotte”.

I think I’ll pot it. I have 2 potted roses already and they are very happy.

@OhRosalind

Madame Alfred Carriere, Cecile brunner (the climbing one), New Dawn and zepherine Drouhin are all very vigorous and will cover an area fast, but they can get huge, how tall is the fence?

Normal ish height - maybe 7ft? Was aiming to train outwards if possible

I think I would probably avoid a big rambler or really vigorous climber in that case, in my experience something like Mme AC wants to grow upwards even if you are constantly training it horizontally and pruning, 6ft is short for a climbing rose.
David Austin has lots of smaller climbers that will grow fast and a page with recommendations for 6ft fences. Personally I’ve grown Souvenir de la Malmaison clb, Falstaff (DA) and belle vichyssoise along a fence of that height very successfully, they were happy to be trained horizontally and that produced lots of flowers.
Lady of the lake is a really pretty repeat-flowering rambler from DA that doesn’t get too big, I think.

@OhRosalind

I think I would probably avoid a big rambler or really vigorous climber in that case, in my experience something like Mme AC wants to grow upwards even if you are constantly training it horizontally and pruning, 6ft is short for a climbing rose. David Austin has lots of smaller climbers that will grow fast and a page with recommendations for 6ft fences. Personally I’ve grown Souvenir de la Malmaison clb, Falstaff (DA) and belle vichyssoise along a fence of that height very successfully, they were happy to be trained horizontally and that produced lots of flowers. Lady of the lake is a really pretty repeat-flowering rambler from DA that doesn’t get too big, I think.

Thank you so much for the advice. I wasn't going to buy any more roses this year but they just do so predictably well on our heavy clay soil that needs must!

Not using that nice soil (jealous, mine is dreadful) would be such a waste. And there’s nothing nicer than a fence or wall draped in a lovely fragrant rose…