I adored this rose in my Denver garden due to its two-toned petals and breathtaking perfume. But Denver winters knocked it back hard annually, due I suspect to its Tea Rose heritage. A few years ago, Mike Shoup honored me by having me speak at his Fall Roses Festival where he gave me many bareroot roses to cram into my suitcase...one was 'La France'. That own root organically grown plant thrives in a 15 gallon Water Wise Container Garden, fed mainly home brewed fish emulsion and horse manure tea, with kitchen graywater its main source of moisture. While I no longer consider it "The First Hybrid Tea" I nonetheless love this rose as much as I did in Denver. John
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3669
I have heard such horrible stories with black spot on this rose, that I would not try it. Again,... you a amaze me.
ReplyDeleteOwn root early hybrid teas are an underused class.
Lovely. I'm surprised, too, that she's healthy here. I grow 'Madame Abel Chatenay', an HT from before 1895, that is wonderfully healthy and beautiful. I love it. If I had room, I would definitely consider 'La France'. Does she have a round bushy growth habit or tall and upright?
ReplyDeleteI have minimal issues with foliar diseases here due to my probiotic approach. So far, 'La France' is being somewhat low and rounded, as in Denver. Sherry is your 'Madame Abel Chatenay' own root? John
ReplyDeleteLa France is beautiful. Do you have Lady Mary Fitzwilliam? Light pink is one of my favorite rose colors :). I also love Mrs. Wakefield Christie-Miller - I don't know how they would do no spray in Florida though...
ReplyDeleteMasha I have neither here but in Denver I grew Mrs. Wakefield Christie-Miller....winters were hard on it but I loved it nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mme Abel Chatenay is own root from Roses Unlimited. She suffers from chlorosis later in the summer. Otherwise, she's fine no-spray.
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