I grow Golden Celebration, Pat Austin, Abraham Darby and a few other English or old fashioned roses. They absolutely require winter protection. I mound about 12 inches of peat moss on top of them and then cover then with thermal blankets. They don't get as full and bushy as they do in warmer zones. Sometimes I plant three in a triangle to compensate for our shorter growing season.

Hi Silverkelt...

I live in the same zone as yourself. The following roses all thrive wonderfully:-
Austin roses, Explorer roses, Rugosa roses,Buck roses, Park roses.
So as you can see...... a wide variety. Even the more tender also grow well here...they simply require some winter covering..ie conifer boughs.

I grew Abe Darby back in Wisconsin. I didn't give him winter protection so he had severe cane winter kill by the time spring came. But once the soil warmed up he bounced back. Heritage and Mary Rose are 2 other Austins that are pretty hardy. Most yellow Austins like Graham Thomas are not all that hardy and need winter protection.

Hi!

Just joined. So glad to hear discussion on Austin roses as they are my favorite. Many of them are fragrant. Most of mine have survived even though I am Zone 3. Must be protected; and if you can pile snow on them so much the better.

As well, have seen no diseases on mine!

These are the ones I have, and just love!

Winchester Cathedral, Abraham Darby, Graham Thomas. LD Braithwaite.

I have Wife of Bath, The Reeve, Alexandra, Heritage, Mary Rose and live in zone 4. Site and protection are important as I have also had to replace a number of these.

I had Wenlock come through one winter for me, but it was planted in a low spot and drowned the next spring. It was a beautiful rose and the scent was to die for. May have to try it again sometime in a better location. Graham Thomas didn't make it through one winter here, even with protection.