I ordered 3 roses (Darlow's Enigma, Veilchenblau, Rural England) - and instead of being able to plant them immediately, the roses sat in the box in my house for a week or two, then sat some more on the patio (out of the box and plastic) for another week or two, then my kid and I planted them next to the fence. All three were in a partially shady area, which is why I selected ones tolerant of shade, and all are climbing or rambling roses so that they will climb the fence and cover it. There are three rambunctious dogs who run back and forth along the fence making a nuisance of themselves (which is why I want to cover the fence in roses) and my teenager was not the most gentle in helping plant them. Therefore I had resigned myself to them probably dying (I have a VERY poor track record with plants - including the previous climbing rose I bought from elsewhere that appears to be just a dead stick at this point - such that my kids attempt to discourage me from continually buying new plants... but hope springs eternal). Imagine my shock when I checked on them about a week or two after planting - not only did they have bright green new growth to replace the multiple broken canes, but all three had flowers! I am amazed. I am hoping they continue to grow well and establish themselves over the fence. I'll definitely be buying more to cover the rest of the fence.

I purchased this rose with other 8 different varieties roses from Heirloom last fall (Antique, Celsiana, Penelope, Rhapsody in blue, Zephirine Drouhin, Lady of Shalott Eleganza and Clair Matin. I also have another 4 different varieties roses in the garden (fourth of July, Sunny knock out, drift rose and one I cannot recognize).
Of all these rose, I believe this one is the most hardy. When other roses start to shred leaves and go into dormant. This one is still growing leaves and now, none of the other roses is growing leaves, this one is starting to grow leaves. I am looking forward for the flower.

I bought this rose on a whim from a California catalog company that specializes in seeds and perennials. It was absolutely tiny, on its own roots when it arrived about 3 years ago. But then it took off. It is climbing up a large old wisteria with which it has to compete for water and nutrients, but it doesn’t seem to care. Last summer, it really bloomed with the most spectacular clusters of small flowers of every hue near purple, mauve, and blueish violet. It is in full baking sun almost all the time in my Zone 5 B garden and doesn’t get water except from rain or my occasional watering with a hose. It is so unusual and so hardy that I recommend it highly.

I have had this rose for about 3 years now. Its 4ft tall, and tons of buds ready to open in a few weeks, this being June 1st now. I am in upstate NY, and was always zone 4 until about 8 years ago when we were re-caterogized into zone 5. We still get 30 - 35 below zero for a week each winter. I do not mulch do to tons of voles, and the Velchenblau rose bush survives and thrives. Its on the north side of a garden shed thats up on 2 ft stilts, so the cold air gets underneath the shed . I took a risk because I love that color, and it has paid off. It sits next to a New Dawn climbing rose that also blooms but only gives me about a half dozen roses each summer.