Question
Dear Lynnette,

I am very envious of people who can grow roses.  I absolutely love them and have had no luck with them.  At the moment, I have a potted rose that seems to be holding it's own, and one I bought from www.heirloomroses.com that is alive with nice looking leaves, but still very small and kind-of weak looking.  Next to that Heirloom Rose bush, I have a trellis that currently has a clematis climbing it (the kind with the very small white flowers).  I would like to transplant that clematis and put a climbing antique rose in it's place.  The problem is that the location faces north and only gets sun in the afternoon.  Can you suggest a good climber to plant there, one that will give us lots of flowers and be very resistent to diseases and things that eat the leaves?  If there is a rose bush that will thrive in spite of me, where can I buy it and when should I plant it?  Also, does it require anything special in the winter?  The reason I was tempted to buy the bush from Heirloom Roses is that they are developed in Oregon and can withstand the winter with no problem.  By the way, I live in Freehold, New Jersey - Zone 7.  Thanks very much.  I look forward to hearing from you.  
Kind regards,
Anthony Cipriano

Answer
Own root roses are hard to grow and should be potted up and cared for at least a year before planting them out in the garden. There is a climber called New Dawn that will grow and bloom in your situation without winter protection. Zepherine Drouhin also does okay in part shade but it does get black spot. I would try New Dawn as you will have success with it and that should give you courage to try other types of roses. The Hybrid Musks are good and because they are very hardy will not require any winter protection and all are disease free.
Hope this helps. Lynnette