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'Susan Louise' rose Reviews & Comments
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Roses of Monterey: a book for rose lovers, p.18. 1933 Frances E. Lester SUSAN LOUISE, Originated by Dr. Adams, of San Jose, Calif., seedling of Belle of Portugal; a very strong growing New Rose of much merit; beautiful long buds and very fragrant, well formed light pink flowers borne continuously all through the season.
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#1 of 1 posted
1 APR 23 by
BrianH
I love this rose. The blooms look nearly identical to my favorite rose, Belle of Portugal, in fact I would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Susan Louise, unlike its barn-eating parent, repeat-flowers constantly. Also, its foliage is a bit darker green, yet retains the droopy leaves flushed with red when young, looking what I think to be like its R. gigantea forbear. The impossibly long and slender buds nod on their stems, and open beautifully when cut. High-centered flowers open to blousy perfection, with subtle variations between delicate pink to cream. My plant is only beginning its second year. I expect it will top 2 meters/seven feet with time, so I am happy to allow it more than usual space. I think this is not a rose for the control-queens among us. Like many teas, it seems to thrive best when left to its own devices, gradually building up a slender and open framework. I think attempts to make it "more bushy" or to bear extra-long HT stems may not end well. It was, however, the first to bloom of all my roses and managed an occasional flower right through the winter months in this mild zone 10a area. There have been no disease problems so far, knock wood. I got it from the amazing Burling Leong at Burlington Nursery as a well-rooted cutting. It took off like a rocket as soon as the weather warmed. I was very glad to find it.
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Ross Roses have 'Susan Louise' listed (in their complete web variety PDF, page 9).
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I've moved my Mystery Beastie photos here, as it has now been identified as 'Susan Louise'.
I have a question about pruning: about how much can safely be removed from this rose?
The reason I ask is that the growth has been rather sparse and open, so I'd like to persuade it to bush up a bit. It's currently making new foliage for spring, so this seems to good time to trim it. If I do it now, it should have enough foliage by summer to give the branches some shade.
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"growth has been rather sparse and open"
Yes, this is normal for this one.
It really prefers to be near the ocean. The further inland you go, greater the chance for burning. Yes, best to prune before it gets hot. Canes do sunburn.
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Doesn't seem to burn where I am (about ten miles inland). It's generally very appealing, but just lacks a bit of substance.
Is it possible to get it a bit bushier, or is it determined to be sparse no matter what?
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I've never seen it dense.
When it's happy it's a huge informal mass of upright sticks, pendulous twigs and blossoms.
Ten miles inland is still relatively near the coast. You've got higher humidity, coastal influence in the weather.
I'm saying it does not like dry heat as a rule and exposed wood will burn.
I kept it alive for several years but it was never happy for me. Nearer the coast it can be glorious but it doesn't appreciate hard pruning.
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Ok, thanks for that. I might not worry about it then. Better happy than knackered.
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I just went back and noted Margaret's photo.
Hers has been pruned up.
The best specimems I've seen here were allowed to have branches all the way to the ground.
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I'm happy to let it branch to the ground (it already is) but I'd like it as bushy as the one in that shot. Maybe if I just tip it fairly lightly, say around 10% or so.
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Yes, just some light shaping and plenty of space is all it needs.
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Plenty of space could be a problem. I ordered Souvenir d'un Ami, but Susan Louise was what turned up. So the space was worked out for Sd'unA, around 2.5 metres across. Susan Louise will have to keep most of its roots within that limit.
But we like it a lot anyway, so if it sulks about the restriction I'll get another one and give it some acreage. Come to think of it, may do that even if the first one doesn't sulk.
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I think you'll be ok. Tends to be more upright.
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Can someone give an opinion on how spikey this thing is? The available photos are not definitive in this respect.
If it's fangless, or almost, that would tie in with my Mystery Beastie.
Also, opinions on scent would be useful.
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