Hi Lisa,

My login has changed but I'm still here. As to the roses, they have decreased in vigor over the last three years, and I have transplanted all but 3 which are questionable at this point health wise. I plan to move them this spring if they are still alive. What happens is a slow loss of vigor. Canes start to die back and bloom is not repeated. I suspect because I have so many BWs in that area (4-and more withing close range) the toxin is quite strong. Were it just one BW, they might have had a chance. The other variable is sunshine. With so many trees, the sun during the summer is quite diminished. So far, most of the roses I transplanted have done much better in their new, sunnier locations. They are also a much greater distance from the existing BWs in and around my yard.

I'm not saying roses will not grow under BWs; they do not thrive. Some eventually die. My advise to you is stay with those plants on the many lists that are tolerant rather than try roses. I have a hydrangea aboracins and two keria japonicas that are doing extremely well beneath a young BW and within close range of others. A Henry Garnet Sweetspire may well work provided you give him plenty of water. Daylilies, Siberian Iris, Shasta Daisies, Phlox paniculata all work very well. I even have lilies that bloom there. Of course all my Hostas look stunning. They really don't seem to care a whit.
On the other hand, I have lost 3 Japanese Maples there. These are supposed to be tolerant. Go figure.

Good luck to you. Believe me, I know how difficult it is to succeed with these trees around.

Barbara aka Hawkeye Belle