In these bright, chilly days, the color is particularly rich.

Thank you for this lovely picture. Since this is a rose rarely available I'll have to satisfy myself vicariously! However, since I finally did get Pretty Jessica hope springs eternal! : ))

It's beautiful. But I don't have any more space.

SoCal, I know the feeling.

The only Austin that I REALLY want but can't get.

KenNEGA said:The only Austin that I REALLY want but can't get.

Yes, the same in this end of the world. However there's a slight window of hope...it belongs to the old group where lineages were still provided. I might try out similar crosses. Then I won't get 'Belle Story' for sure but a rose that gets close at least in bloom colour.... or just anything else as well, that might be worth keeping. Who knows?

Arturo

Good luck! It sounds like a fun experiment in any event.

Belle Story is available from Hortico (Canada). I bought mine from Hortico several years ago and it's doing well. I believe it's grafted on multi-flora which may not work in some climates. I also bought one from a local nursery that was grown as an own-root and it's very weak and still in a pot. I think this rose is better grafted. The photos below are from last summer, its third year. Mine is about 3x2, growing partially under a tree - not ideal conditions but it has a sweet fragrance, lovely stamens, and is never without visiting bees




Someone in my rose society grows Belle Story in full sun and the blooms are large and gorgeous. Seeing this bloom at our 2016 rose show inspired me to get Belle Story.


Ann

Ann, here, 'Belle Story' took a few years to really establish herself. Now, she's a good 4-ft. tall.

She might be a "hunkier" plant, with heavier canes, if budded. but she's quite graceful, and puts out blooms and sprays on very long stems, through most of the year.

I might get Belle Story next year, I love Grandma's hat. The flower has staying power, it's amazing. I might get rid of some roses next year instead.

SoCal -- Eliminate any roses that don't make you smile.

jerijen said:SoCal -- Eliminate any roses that don't make you smile.

All of them make me smile....
even for those that were initially included for keeping up the collection; after a few seasons I discover why I like them....
but I reckon that I've got enough land to keep my style alive...
also at this end commercial availability is considerably reduced, perhaps that explains my undiscriminating attitude toward roses ( bah towards plants in general... )
Arturo

Beautiful! Austin always had a particular fondness for his singles and semi-doubles. While he is not well known for them, I too think they are his best. I had his Peach Blossom which is no longer available. Still wish I had that rose. I miss it.

Jerjen - Our rose society had a garden tour so I saw the Belle Story plant where the bloom that was exhibited came from. It's very hunky compared to my very gracile shrub. Her Belle was about 5' tall and 3' wide. The blooms were huge compared to mine but she's had hers for many years.


I'm just glad I have one. I'm thinking of getting another and putting it in full sun.

Ann

hampartsum said:
All of them make me smile....
even for those that were initially included for keeping up the collection; after a few seasons I discover why I like them....
but I reckon that I've got enough land to keep my style alive...
also at this end commercial availability is considerably reduced, perhaps that explains my undiscriminating attitude toward roses ( bah towards plants in general... )
Arturo

Some of them make me smile more than the other.

Yes SCGNut! what really puzzles me that each season brings forth new angles that make me smile. This has been going on for 4 decades at least! Roses somehow have the trait to make us smile, and when I was almost ready to bah over one then something pops up and a broad grin covers my face.... Even last year's smile may no longer hold true ('cuz this dejà vu thing) but, it is quickly superceded by a new twist in the same bush or the neighboring one, so my attention is diverted from the shovel prune alternative or the give away one. They must have inbuilt survival strategies so that owners don't give up on them! :rofl:
(mindless chatter of a rose infatuation....)

Arturo