Question
QUESTION: I would like to start a rose hedge on a slight bank to the east of my house, about 15 ft from my single-story house.  The east and south are not obstructed by trees. I assume that would be enough sun for some roses to do well; is that correct?  Both fragrance and disease resistance are highly important to me.  I live in the 5b zone, north of Fort Wayne,Indiana.

Would Westerland be a good choice?  Chamblee's Roses suggests this plant for hedges, though it is first listed as a climber.  Would it grow well enough this far north so that I need a 6 ft spacing or should I plant closer together to get the hedge effect I want?  

Also, sources list Autumn Sunset as a sport of Westerland.  Would it be as good for a hedge as Westerland or does it only perform as a climber?

Is there another rose you would suggest?  I would also like repeat blooming.

I understand it will take 3 years to get full-performing plants but would like to put the right ones in while I wait for the big effect.

Thank you.



ANSWER: I love rose hedges but you don't see them often. You will have enough sun on the east of your house to grow most roses. Fragrance and disease in rose breeding are almost opposites as the fragrance gene and the disease resistance gene don't seem to an to unite. That means that if you get a rose that has a strong fragrance and if conditions are right, there is  good possibility of it getting some disease.
Westerland is classified in Europe as a large shrub but if not pruned, it will grow into a VERY impressive climber. Although Autumn Sunset is a sport of Westerland it doesn't have the same vigour but still makes a large climber.To my nose the fragrance is pleasant but not impressive.  I love and grow both of these roses but I wouldn't use them as a hedge as I value my life and pruning them yearly would mean I could bleed to death!
Growing a hedge usually means you have to prune it every year to keep it under control, also cutting out the dead and diseased canes.  Because of that it is a wisdom to select roses that will sort of take care of themselves. Then all you would have to do it trim them back with an electric hedge trimmer plus water and fertilize. A mulch is a really good idea as this will keep the roots cool and roses do much better with cool roots. If you want a solid hedge plant the roses 4 feet apart from base to base. If you prefer a wall like look then increase the distance to 5 feet from base to base.. It is difficult to get away without doing anything as roses have a tendency to throw up a very tall cane which then bends over and gets tangled up with the next rose. Something else important to keep in mind is where you buy your roses,  as you want to give them a good start.
So lets start with a good fragrance and then proceed to hardiness and finally repeat blooming. Stay away from hybrid teas as they are high maintenance and even most floribundas will also demand a lot of attention and both can dieback in a nasty winter. Usually modern shrubs, some Austins or rugosas are the least trouble. Bonica makes an always in bloom hedge so does any of the Renaissance roses from Denmark. Kordes in Germany has been introducing a series called Fairy Tale and they are totally disease free. Most rugosas have a fragrance and Roseraie de l' Hay is very fragrant and so are Belle Pointevine and Pierette Pavement. David Austin roses can be a hit and miss, so select carefully. One of his better ones is William Shakespeare 2000 as this one does repeat well. Another alternative is to plant different colours but making sure they will all grow the same height and have the same vigour.
Many roses will make a hedge but if it is fragrance and disease resistance that is important to you, then that shortens up the list considerably. Google these and see what you think of them. Hope this helps but if you need anymore information please write in again.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much,I have enjoyed exploring the rugosas and will plant Roseraie de l'Hay on the east bank.  I look forward to making potpourri in perhaps three years.   

My brother-in-law tells me that bank on the south side of my house must also be planted.  A small cherry tree and a  mulberry are then south of the bank.  Will Fimbriata and Frau Dagmar Hartopp be capable of blooming in the shadow (not underneath) those trees?  Am also considering putting Rugosa Magnifica on my windy, sunny west side.  Are these variants also appropriate for my fragrance and ease of care priorities?

Will probably also plant William Shakespeare 2000 so I can get some cut flowers.  If I am holding a bank with it, do I avoid removing all but the deadwood for the first three years?  

Finally, just a nomenclature question.  When rose experts talk about a minimum of six hours of sun, are they counting hours at the equinox so the hours at the summer solstice would be considerably longer?

Again, thank you so sharing your expertise.  

Answer
You will really enjoy Roseraie de l 'Hay as this is a very fragrant Rugosa and will make a nice bush for you. Rugosa Magifica is an attractive rose but because it is a hybrid of a modern rose and a Rugosa there is always the possibility of disease a it is not a pure Rugosa. Plus using a spray on Rugosa usually causes problems and the rose leaves will turn yellow. Frimbriata is what is called a low vigour rose and in some shade will not do well as it needs full sun. Frau Dagmar is a good one and will bloom and grow okay where you want to plant it. Here is a list of the top Rugosas for a hedge or a garden:-  *top ones
*Belle Pointevine.....makes a tidy medium tall bush
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer.....very fragrant but a tall bush
Darts Dash.....fragrant medium bush
*Foxi Pavement.....clove scent medium bush
Hansa.....clove scent medium tall
*Hunter.....fragrant medium tall bush
Jens Munk.....fragrant medium bush
*Moje Hammarberg.....strong fragrant medium bush
Monte Blanc, Monte Rosa, Monte Cassino all good ones and all fragrant
*Pierette Pavement.....strong fragrance, medium bush
Purple Pavement sometimes called Rotes meer.....strong fragrant medium bush
*Scrabosa.....fragrant medium tall bush
William Shakespeare 2000 will only hold about 3 feet of the area around the base as the roots tend to go down not out. Whack this rose down every spring to make it into a sturdy, thick and dense bush.
The 6 hours of full sun is just a number and doesn't refer to any time of the year. All that a rose needs is for the sun to hit the leaves and activate the process of making the chlorophyll.