That is a good idea, Toni. you have said how the climate can be very different on the other side of town, and we have that same situation here. Our west side has sandy soil, and the east side is clay. I'm in a creek bottom so I have rich clay-ey loam. The wind blows harder here and the temps are actually more moderate. humidity is definitely lower. This was all very noticeable to me when I moved a whole 3 miles from the city to this place barely outside civilization. There's zone 6, and then there's zone 6. I want to know what factors really hurt the roses.
I've noticed Porkpal grows mainly shrub roses, Austins and some OGRs, like I do. Steve seems to be having the most success with Austins, floribundas, OGRs. You grow an amazing number of hybrid teas but you protect well in the winter. you did prove that HT's can take the heat, though!
Porkpal and I have drier conditions and longer seasons, which may be why we lean towards the shrub roses.
Perhaps this is way simpler than I'm making it out to be and someone can come on here and say these do fine in this condition, these do better here...etc. I've seen lists on the Austin website, but those of course just cover the Austin roses.
