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"Barfield White Climber" rose Reviews & Comments
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Received as a liner, and moved to a 2 gallon pot. Now third growing season, and about to put it into the ground. It grew nicely to 4’ the first year. Second year, grew just 2 feet more after pruning back to 3 feet, so it’s now back to 5 feet, but with a huge root ball crammed into a 4 gallon pot.
First medium sized flush this spring around mid-March. Bloomed the second spring with a small flush, then two very small flushes later in the year, June, then September.
Fragrance is very interesting. In spring, it resembles candied cherries. The later flushes presents more of a spice, almost sweet licorice fragrance. I never picked up the myrrh in this, but I certainly know that fragrance as I have many DA roses with this strong note.
Completely BS free here in rainy Hawaii. Seems heat resistant and humidity resistant in our summertime.
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Does Barfield Climber flower in year 1? I'm in Tarpon Springs FL (zone 9/10) and she has been growing vigorously, almost 2 feet in the last 3 months since planted. But no flowers, or hint of flowers yet. Is that usual? Thanks!
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That experience is typical of many climbing roses. While it is growing is a good time to train however you want it to grow.
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Thank you! It's my first climber. I've never seen a rose shoot up like this. There are so many stems. How many is a good amount for a trainable climber? The rose hasn't quite reached the pillar I planted it by yet so it's just waving in the wind right now.
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It flowers on old wood, so you may have to wait till next Spring.
There is a modest fall repeat so you may have some blossoms then.,
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Thanks for your reply! does this mean it shouldn't be cut back in the spring?
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Do your major pruning after flowering, then only to train and shape as desired.
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Does anyone know where this rose was found? I see that there is a Barfield, Alabama, but have no idea if Mr. Starnes found this rose there. OTOH, Barfield could be someone's surname?
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As I remember John stated that the person he got the rose from was named Barfield. Subsequently that's what he called it.
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Thanks!
As I'm sure you know, it can be helpful to know where foundlings were found (gives us an idea of what conditions they've persisted in, and also it may help to check old catalogs from nearby nurseries to see if there might be any clues about the original name). Too often that info gets lost...
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John was a character. We communicated off and on for years.
He did state how he came by the rose. Perhaps it was in one of the forums. I can't recall exactly where. As I recall he purchased it from a woman named Barfield.
Pam Greenewald of Angel Gardens might be of help since she's been in that area for many years. John communicated with a lot of rose growers and they might be of help but many of them have also passed.
See notes at Barfield Climber,
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Thanks- I did read the notes, and it does seem like this particular rose will thrive under varied conditions.
As for what roses were locally sold, it's hardly a fool-proof way to ID a rose, but sometimes it can suggest varieties that aren't obvious. Not everyone knows that a few Florida nurseries were big on Alister Clark's Australian Roses back in the 1930's, for example...
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Reply
#5 of 7 posted
26 SEP 23 by
 Lee H.
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Since I can’t post the link, here is what John wrote about it in his blog “Rosegasms”
“Years ago, Patty Barfield of 'Personal Touch Roses' bought several Mystery Roses from a travelling plants sales man though they were not in bloom...he said they were a white climber that grew well in Florida. She called to tell me as she knows I love trying to ID Mystery Roses, so I drove to Dover and bought one. I initially called it (with her permission) "Barfield White Rambler" as the first two years it was a once bloomer. But when it became a repeater I renamed it.”
I wonder what he renamed it?
You can find it all with johnstarnesloveofroses dot blogspot dot com
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Thanks! I didn't realize his blog was still online. A traveling plant salesman doesn't really help much with the location query!
I'm guessing the name change was from 'Rambler' to 'Climber'?
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I didn't realize his blog was still available either. Good for you!
Barfield in my climate could be classed as a rambler though it does have modest fall repeat here. In some more moderate climates it probably repeats modestly through much of the year.
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In pix this found rambler looks a lot like an Ayreshire, but I have never seen it live.
If it is an Ayreshire or multiflora, it might possibly be hardy in zones colder than 6.
Are there any reports of it being grown in the colder zones? The gardens tab only shows it being grown in 6 and warmer.
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I agree.
The similarity occurred to me this morning and then I found your post.
It occurred to me this morning that Barfield could in fact be 'Ayrshire Splendens'?
There is a definite resemblance, but I'm not entirely convinced comparing photos. They seem to be very close.
Growing them side by side would solve the riddle.
Hopefully some day we can confirm.
I also have a hunch 'Ayrshire Splendens' could descend from 'Crimson Rambler'.
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What just occurred to me, reading these comments, is, Barfield may well be a sport or self seedling of Ayshire Splendens. Ayshire Splendens doesn't mention being thornless, while Barfield is. Nor does Ayshire Splendens supposedly repeat, while Barfield is reportedly continuous-flowering. It seems this might be a very good subject for DNA research.
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Barfield is mostly smooth, but not entirely.
Those photos of splendens exhibiting canes reveal very few prickles that I can discern.
Barfield is essentially once flowering in my climate with a very modest scattered repeat, mostly in Fall.
In coastal climates I suspect repeat is more reliable.
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