A Dr F. L. Skinner real treasure in Canada to the cold zones rose gardener whose been looking for a climbing rose that is hardy, mildly fragrant, and a "continuous" bloomer with acceptable disease resistant (have not noted any symptoms, including mildew). Especially important is the traits of a climber and no hardiness problems. The winter of 2019 was a good proving of the stated observations of others as to hardiness (zone 2). The February average temperature was -18C (0F), never above 0 C and with a minimum of -30C (-22F).
Originally could not believe it was not a myth when read about the hardiness claims, and was a climber with repeat ... all true in my in Canadian zone 3 A- 4A garden. It maybe an excellent parent to produce more hardy, repeaters ... lack of availability in Canada needs to be fixed.
And as always YMMV in cold zones ... but doubt it.
Can anyone tell me how Isabella Skinner (Victorian Memory) performs in a hot climate. I understand it is very cold hardy, but I have the opposite problem in my hot inland valley garden in northern California. I would like to know if it continues to bloom in warm weather, and if blooms crisp and turn brown in higher temps. Thanks to anyone who can help!
This will be mine's first full summer. So far my experience is that the canes are certainly lithe enough, but it'll constantly be trying to shoot past 3 feet. It's lush and dense, and you'll likely be doing a lot of chopping to keep it down. I'll know more definitively by the end of the summer.
Update, June 2011: Mine has grown to monstrous proportions. It's easily ten feet tall, and has engulfed a large portion of a tall, wooden fence. Trying to keep this thing short would be impossible.
