General Chat About Roses And Rose Gardens 2025

Hi CostasK,
Thank you so much for your reply and, in particular, for reassuring me that I may not have done something wrong!

I'm describing them as suckers because they pop up away from the main stems, around 8-10 inches away. The stems are pricklier and there are fewer leaves on the leaflets and the flowers. What puzzles me most is that one or two have flowered and the flowers are the same as the main plant, although smaller.

 

No problem @Inkymink

They don't sound like suckers to me actually.

• New stems are usually a bit prickier.
• This theory that you can tell whether it's a sucker by the number of leaves has been discredited, generally speaking. I think it does apply to some types of roses but not all, and even for those types of roses it's not absolute.
• It sounds like too much of a coincidence to have rootstock (out of which suckers would grow) with very similar looking flowers as the main rose.
• The size of the blooms can vary, especially on new growth.

The only way to be completely sure however is to remove some of the soil and see where the new growth is coming from. If it's coming from under the graft, it's suckers. But my guess is that it's not, and you just have a very happy rose that is wanting to take up more space.

 

Help! When any of the rose experts amongst you have a spare minute, and after you've given advice and suggestions previously asked for by other members - could anyone identify this variety for me? I know, I know, but I thought it was worth a try! I've popped myself at the back of the queue.

I've had it years, so it's not a DA rose bred within the last 10-15 years, but I just cannot remember the variety. I know what it ISN'T, I just can't remember what it is! I'm not even certain I bought it from DA. If not it must have been from Beales or Harkness.

We've had a good deal of rain recently, so she's a bit battered. Heavily scented, lemon and myrrh. Thanks for trying. Appreciated.

 

Hi @Tinkerton

I wouldn't call myself a rose expert and I don't have a clear answer I'm afraid, but if it is indeed a David Austin, could it be Spirit of Freedom?

Spirit of Freedom

I can see that it was released in 2002 and it is pink and has a high petal count, like yours, and a myrrh fragrance.

For the record I also tried an AI identifier tool that I found online, but I wouldn't say the result was helpful...it was funny though

 

Gosh, @CostasK that was rapid! I have to say I LOVE the AI suggestion, caused a titter here too!

It does look similar to 'Spirit of Freedom', definitely, but the name isn't ringing any big bells! You know what it feels like when you know what something IS but you just can't put your finger on the name? But yes, perhaps it could be, and it's my memory that's at fault.

I've trawled through the DA site, looking at mid-pink roses and nothing is leaping out at me, so it might even be a 'retired' rose from their breeding programme.

Thank you so much for your speedy response!

 

Ah, thank you very much. I'll have a furtle about at some point (not today in 30 degree heat!) and see what I can discover. Much appreciated!

 

@Friendly

I haven't grown Iceberg but it has always had a very good reputation as a white climbing rose.

 

@Friendly
I've grown 'Iceberg' a number of times including as a hedge. What did you want to know exactly? these days its disease resistance is not so great and is liable to defoliate in August, but it doesn't hurt the plant and it will carry on flowering and soon grow new leaves. Can look a bit spindly as a shrub, but early season still one of the best white roses.

 

@Inkymink
As others have said I think, if your suckers are producing blooms the same as the mother plant, then they are perfectly fine. This rose suckers freely on its own roots, so it's likely to have put down own roots even though it may have been sold as a grafted plant, and suckered from those, sometimes shoots will appear some way from the base of the plant.

 

Thank you so much, Mrs Hillard. That's very interesting to know.

 

I decided to go look at Lark Ascending and have a sniff. Loved it and couldn't resist. so I brought her home with a massive new pot and will find room in a border when summer is over and I can risk moving things. A lady in the garden centre said she had 2 and they were her favourite plant, so it leapt into the trolley, without even a second thought! Lol

 

@Inkymink, I believe that suckers can be caused by damage to the rootstock, when weeding etc. Try to rip them off as low down as possible rather than cutting.. But do check that they are suckers first.

 

Thank you.
I did wonder if it looks a bit scruffy and makes lots of mess. I have a harlow carr that I don't really like and have a feeling Iceberg will be similar.

 

Thank you! I will do

 

Still wondering whether my mystery rose could be 'Spirit of Freedom' as very kindly suggested by @CostasK?

Any more suggestions, or have I baffled you all?