HelpMeFind Roses, Clematis and Peonies
Roses, Clematis and Peonies
and everything gardening related.
DescriptionPhotosLineageAwardsReferencesMember RatingsMember CommentsMember JournalsCuttingsGardensBuy From 
'Wise Portia' rose Reviews & Comments
Discussion id : 120-859
most recent 7 APR 20 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 7 APR 20 by WarGar
I found this in a greenhouse struggling in a one gallon pot and rescued it. I planted it in the ground where it did not do well. Moved it to a pot. It did well. Planted it back in the ground. It did poorly. Back into a pot and there it stays. I've repotted it several times and it does well. I'm in northern Alabama zone 7a and the rose has been in full sun wherever I planted it. I don't spray, and I'm inconsistent about fertilizing, although my roses get a good top dressing of compost once or twice a year, and Mills Magic Rose Mix at twice a year. The rose blooms inconsistently but the blooms are gorgeous so I don't mind it's minimal display. With 30+ roses of all kinds in my yard, I have enough variety that I can handle a few roses that are poor performers.
REPLY
Discussion id : 32-390
most recent 26 SEP 11 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 15 DEC 08 by Margaret Furness
Interesting; the photos from at least three sources don't look like typical Austins, and don't appear to be mauve blend.
REPLY
Reply #1 of 2 posted 26 SEP 11 by StrawChicago heavy clay zone 5
In hot weather it's bright purple. In cold fall it's raspberry-mauve color. Wise Portia has good repeat. It blooms well in partial shade. Very healthy in my alkaline soil and tap water. In cold weather the scent is marvelous.
REPLY
Reply #2 of 2 posted 26 SEP 11 by Margaret Furness
Thank you. Sounds like it wouldn't be happy in my summers.
REPLY
Discussion id : 38-025
most recent 16 JUL 09 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 16 JUL 09 by sfpchow
Full disclosure: I got this rose because my daughter's name is Portia.
Pros: The blooms - lovely color, nice bloom form and wonderful fragrance. Really nice fragrance! The scent is as strong as Abraham Darby for me.
The cons: It is not the most robust grower, although part of the reason may be because I've had it in a pot for all 6 yrs that I've had it. At this point though, the bottom of the clay pot has deteriorated and the roots are growing into the ground. I plan on putting it completely into the ground this winter. We'll see if that helps with the vigor. It blooms in May, 7-10 blooms on a 2' tall x 1 1/2' wide plant, and occasionally, I'll get 1-3 more blooms in July. Yes, kinda stingy. The foliage gets a bit yellow at times and sometimes gets a bit of BS, nothing life threatening.
I'm a casual gardener in that I don't spray, don't always fertilize beyond giving it some compost at the beginning of the growing season and don't water every day, so YMMV if you give your plants more TLC. I grow it in Zone 9, Palo Alto, CA with a couple of hours of afternoon shade.
Bottom line: It's a keeper for me. The pros and name outweigh the cons.
REPLY
© 2024 HelpMeFind.com