Question
dear lynette

i've chosen the following roses from david austin catalogue before i order next week

scarborough fair for its pink and white open cup and disease resistance
(a semi wild look about it) they only reach 3 foot or so.
margaret merrill to replace black spotted icebergs, but expensive at ?0 each
r. spinnossisima, a white wild rose at 5 foot by 4 foots, r. alba would grow much to big,
in a part of the garden away from the main rose beds.

they seem suitable to my small to medium sized garden here in the east of england
and hardy/ disease resistant. could you comment on my choice?

thankyou

philip jones

philip jones

Answer
All are good choices for your type of garden. Margaret Merrill is expensive, but worth the extra pennies, as she is one of the most fragrant of roses. The reports on her say that she grows well and has good disease resistance. You will really be pleased with her. Also, don't forget that spinnossisima roses sucker like mad.  Just keep an eye open as they can throw suckers quite a few feet from the main bush.