*Growing in southern Arizona in Sonoran thornscrub at about 2500 ft altitude, USDA zone 9, Sunset zone 12, loose, porous soil*

Bought from ARE in 2022, planted out during a mild spell that winter.

04-2023 First bloom flush is over. It was early and quite full--some 13 buds even on a still very small bush! Fragrance at this point mild but very pleasant.
Bush is planted in full sun. Has been thirsty but not overly so considering the number of flowers.

July 7, 2023 The Archduke is struggling with our current heat dome, temps exceeding 106 F/41 C daily, single digit humidity and high UV. I think most of the trouble began with rabbits munching the stems of this still-very-small bush. It is definitely still alive, and I have hopes it will pull through once the weather shifts. It receives deep soakings as well as the occasional cooling spraydown. Well mulched with sawdust. Even with the weather I had to pinch off two or three flower buds recently as he still wanted to bloom, so not going semi-dormant as easily as I could wish..

Oct. 31, 2024 The Archduke has settled in well, though is still small. It is beginning to put out buds as temperatures have finally dropped into the 80s just last week. A real winner in this dry garden with poor soils and intense sunlight.

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*** Growing near Houston, TX: sub tropical zone 9a. Mild winters, hot, extremely humid summers that last half the year. ***




Purchased from ARE March 2011.

June 2012- Growth remained at about 18 inches for all of 2011, scattered bloom. Large basals emerged in late Dec/jan 2012 and plant quickly grew to three feet. Current size is 6ft h x 2 ft w. I deadhead down to five feet pretty often, and the plant doesn't seem to mind that at all. Blooms its head off, largest flowers are in late fall, early "winter." My plant is very lanky and prone to leaning due to its width right now not being enough to support its height. I've thrown a few lines around the thickest canes to help it stand upright (and support against wind). I enjoy the fragrance and color changes of the blooms.

October 2012- Large chilli thrips invasion of the garden Aug 2012 did not really seem to bother Archduke Charles. It was cut back like almost everything else to 3.5 feet, and has recovered. Current size 5h x 4w.

July 2013- Chilli thrips season again, though so far it seems minor. Archduke Charles was pretty damaged, so I cut it back by two feet and new growth has come back clean.

Sept- Potted for upcoming move, but looks like it may die on me. Will definitely replace.

9/25/2013- Officially croaked. I took cuttings before digging the plant up in the first place, and several rooted (this rose roots very easily), so I still have an Archduke Charles. It will be a while before there are any flowers from these babies.
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5/24/2014 - Planted in new garden.

6/6/2019- I haven't made a report on this one in a long time, so I might as well get to it. Size is about 4h x 2w. I think it would be a bit bushier if it were in less shade, and in a less crowded spot (MFK needs regular pruning to keep her elbows out of the Duke's ears). I'm reluctant to try and move it, considering how that went last time, so I may take more cuttings and just add to the collection. This is a dependable rose for Houston's bay area, and one that I see planted in front of several historic houses in my neighborhood.