This year I grew four David Austin roses in containers. My top hopes were, they would do well, little disease, bloom nicely, and especially be fragrant. I also have one David Austin rose in a container from last year. I was pretty happy with them, but a bit disappointed the fragrance wasn't as strong as I hoped. Here are my thoughts. All photos from my garden. Darcy Bussell. Nice bloomer. Compact enough for 20 gal container. Fragrance was noticeable but not really that strong. Boscobel. A bit more vigorous bush, but first year was still fine in container. Also a pretty good bloomer. Coral pink . Fragrance was myrrh, what I most wanted. Call me Sunshine. Also a bit more vigorous, and also did fine in a container. Bloomed a bit less but still fine. Fragrance was noticeable but not super strong. Yellow with pale edges. Silas Mariner. Not a fair test. This was in a shady spot in my garden. It did OK, fragrance noticeable. But I need to move it next Spring. Sorry, no photo. The flowers are a lovely true light pink, old rose shape. Vanessa Bell. This was in my vegetable garden, shaded, also not ideal place and not ideal watering. 25 gal container. It's about two years old, does well. Pale yellow, almost white flower. Nice fruity tea fragrance. I was happy at how they did on my patio. If all I wanted was bloom, the Darcy Bussell was probably the best. I was disappointed about the fragrances which ranged from faint to mild. I decided to make some changes for next year. I still want these on the patio. The roller trays help a lot with moving them. Even though it's a good bush with nice flowers, I think I'll move Darcy Bussell to the veggie garden. I'll buy a replacement variety, "Munstead Wood". Deeper red, and described as "highly fragrant". I don't want too many to water, but I think I'll install drip lines and add two more container bushes. First, I'll dig up "Vanessa Bell" from the veggie garden, and plant in 20 gallon container to go onto patio. I think with pruning and good care, it will be similar in growth pattern to the others, and bloom better. I also ordered another one described as "highly fragrant', 'Desdemona". This one is almost white, with pink tinge. I will have fewer big plants on the patio next year - no big dahlias, no brugmansia, no giant annuals. So despite adding two net roses, care will be less and easier. I also want to repot and move the Silas Marner, but still in the veggie garden. The two that I grew from cuttings might stay there or be in the deck. They are smaller. I don't know if there are culture techniques to enhance fragrance, such as fertilizing, watering more or less. I assume full sun is the best for fragrance, but I don't know.
