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'Wise Portia' rose Reviews & Comments
Discussion id : 120-859
most recent 7 APR 20 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 7 APR 20 by WarGar
I found this in a greenhouse struggling in a one gallon pot and rescued it. I planted it in the ground where it did not do well. Moved it to a pot. It did well. Planted it back in the ground. It did poorly. Back into a pot and there it stays. I've repotted it several times and it does well. I'm in northern Alabama zone 7a and the rose has been in full sun wherever I planted it. I don't spray, and I'm inconsistent about fertilizing, although my roses get a good top dressing of compost once or twice a year, and Mills Magic Rose Mix at twice a year. The rose blooms inconsistently but the blooms are gorgeous so I don't mind it's minimal display. With 30+ roses of all kinds in my yard, I have enough variety that I can handle a few roses that are poor performers.
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Discussion id : 32-390
most recent 26 SEP 11 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 15 DEC 08 by Margaret Furness
Interesting; the photos from at least three sources don't look like typical Austins, and don't appear to be mauve blend.
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Reply #1 of 2 posted 26 SEP 11 by StrawChicago Alkaline clay 5a
In hot weather it's bright purple. In cold fall it's raspberry-mauve color. Wise Portia has good repeat. It blooms well in partial shade. Very healthy in my alkaline soil and tap water. In cold weather the scent is marvelous.
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Reply #2 of 2 posted 26 SEP 11 by Margaret Furness
Thank you. Sounds like it wouldn't be happy in my summers.
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Discussion id : 38-025
most recent 16 JUL 09 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 16 JUL 09 by sfpchow
Full disclosure: I got this rose because my daughter's name is Portia.
Pros: The blooms - lovely color, nice bloom form and wonderful fragrance. Really nice fragrance! The scent is as strong as Abraham Darby for me.
The cons: It is not the most robust grower, although part of the reason may be because I've had it in a pot for all 6 yrs that I've had it. At this point though, the bottom of the clay pot has deteriorated and the roots are growing into the ground. I plan on putting it completely into the ground this winter. We'll see if that helps with the vigor. It blooms in May, 7-10 blooms on a 2' tall x 1 1/2' wide plant, and occasionally, I'll get 1-3 more blooms in July. Yes, kinda stingy. The foliage gets a bit yellow at times and sometimes gets a bit of BS, nothing life threatening.
I'm a casual gardener in that I don't spray, don't always fertilize beyond giving it some compost at the beginning of the growing season and don't water every day, so YMMV if you give your plants more TLC. I grow it in Zone 9, Palo Alto, CA with a couple of hours of afternoon shade.
Bottom line: It's a keeper for me. The pros and name outweigh the cons.
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