The information was based on the patent application by David Austin, which describes this rose as a 5' tall shrub. Apparently it surprised them with more vigorous growth. We have modified the description.
This is at least the second time a newly introduced Austin rose has wildly exceeded the original size estimate (the other is Graham Thomas, which was stated as 3~4 feet back in the 80’s). I wonder if it was deliberate?
Incredibly vigorous here, always blooming. But can anybody comment on the scent? Is the first year scent pretty much how you expect it to stay, other than getting stronger as it matures? Or is the medicinal fragrance just part of the maturing process? I see that WOH has great reviews for fragrance so trying to decide if it's just not my cup of tea or if I'm being too impatient!
I didn't notice any change when I had it, that's how it is... I didn't find it medicinal, but I don't think we do so much over here, you don't hear it said.... I liked the scent on this and others similar like 'Gentle Hermione'.. very honey like scent.. it was its lanky growth that I found difficult to control and I just wasn't in love with it..
I hope you get to like it in time.. it's not for everyone and I wouldn't want a garden full of this type of scent that's for sure... it's certainly different... getting the plant to stand up is another matter... best of luck...
Any advice for a zone 10 gardener? I have two one year old budded Wollerton bushes in the front and they are sending out long octopus arms. I wonder if I used a 7 ft trellis or obelisk if they would quickly overwhelm it or if it makes sense to tame them with something structural? Do I need one per rose or could I combine both of them on one structure? Or am I foolish in expecting that anything will tame a rose that wants to grow long tall canes that flop over neighboring plants?
Pegging down doesn't work well in my zone 9b climate (South Australia) unless you mulch very heavily underneath, because the grass/weeds keep growing all winter. We generally go for the espalier / training on a trellis option. I haven't tried an obelisk so can't comment on that.
How did it work out for you Mamabotanica? I'm thinking of using this rose as a climber in my climate also. Mine are too young to have much in the thorn department, but I noticed that Heirloom described WOF as nearly thorn-free. Can anybody confirm this? Thanks!
Hi, the mow and blow guys took it upon themselves to prune one of the roses so I'm waiting for that to grow back to train it on an obelisk. The other was my first attempt to attach a rose to a support and it didn't fare well (bent my two main canes and snapped another one off :(. The new growth on the rose is looking green and beautiful. I think it will work and I'm glad it seems to have forgiven me my learning curve.
Thanks Patricia, that was incredibly helpful! I've never looked at the patents before but there is so much info on them! For anybody following this thread, the answer is that WOH is indeed low on thorns.
