I am looking for a yellow rose that could be planted in a group with 'Jardins de Bagatelle' and 'Truly Yours' and have the same compact vertical growth habit (to 3.5 to 4 feet tall) and large full bloom.  It seems Helmut Schmidt may fit.  It would be planted in front of 'Jardins de Bagatelle' and next to 'Truly Yours'.  Does 'Helmut Schmidt' have a similar growth habit?

How does this compare to Mr Lincoln or Black Magic, as I have both of these in my
garden now. Does it have the velvet texture ? How long do the blooms last? --K Haas

Hi everyone,

I have not posted in some time and have had some password problems, but hopefully they are all fixed. I tried 'Wildfire' despite the mixed reviews and lack of scent for the color. My experiences were consistent with all the comments. My 'Wildfire' came on 'Dr Huey' rootstock, and the result was a poor growing plant, but the flower color was stunning. 'Dr Huey' is not my favorite rootstock here in southern NJ. we have sandy low organic matter soil with a naturally low pH and HOT and HUMID summers. Most of my roses are own root, a few are on multiflora, and they do well, but 'Dr Huey' is good for a few varieties, ok for a few more, but not as good for many others, so I rooted some cuttings and tried 'Wildfire' on its own roots. 'WILDFIRE' IS A VIGOROUS AND HEAT TOLERANT ROSE ON ITS OWN ROOTS! I root roses over the winter and plant them in May out of six inch pots. the rooted cutting grew past the grafted rose the first summer, so I threw out the grafted plant and kept the rooted cutting. Buy it on its own roots if you can find it, or if you must buy it on 'Dr Huey', plant it someplace temporary, root your cutting, and toss the grafted version. Note, that I have not tried 'Wildfire on 'Multiflora'.

I have grown this rose for two years and am "Falling In Love" with it, LOL!!! The bush is very vigorous growing and disease resistant. It was also winter hardy it's first year in my garden. It is one of the slower to break dormancy in spring but once it does it catches up quickly. The only drawback to this bush is the immense number of wicked thorns that it gets from it's pollen parent Marilyn Monroe.
The blooms are to die for! They are large and heavily petalled and very high centered and generally are the most beautiful pearly soft pink that lasts the entire life of the bloom. The color to my eye is the exact same color as the pink edging seen on the seed parents Moonstone's blooms. The color has a smoothness I think it gets from MM as well. And, to top it off, the blooms are very fragrant which is very rare in a rose with such heavy petal substance.
The petals are a very nice rounded shape which adds to the beautiful form. My blooms last a minimum 12 days on the bush or when properly cut and prepped for a vase in the home.
I think this rose is so versatile as it is excellent in the garden on the bush, in a vase for the home, and is even quality enough to make a good exhibition rose that actually has fragrance. I have one bush and am planning on getting many more as I think this rose is one of the rare roses that got all the good qualities available from it's parents which makes it even better than these two great Hybrid Tea roses themselves. If you don't have it, you should definiteley get one to give it a try. I am positive you will be glad that you did.
UPDATE 7/2009--I am very sad and sorry to say that my "Falling In Love" bush has died. I have no idea what caused the plant to deteriorate so quickly as it did. One day it seemed fine and really starting to put on it's Spring growth, and the next day it was limp and weak looking and within 10 days it was completely dead. I was stunned and of course very saddened as I was really beginning to like this rose immenseley. I love it's parentage and it is lucky enough to inherit most of the good qualities they had to offer. I will definitely replace this one and probably add on another or two to go along with it so the new FIL bush will not be lonely and have good company. I am starting a new bed, and this will be a good time to add them. I think the local nursery may still have a few that the rosarian started as bareroots this Spring. So, I will just have to begin again with this one.
But, I would still like to know what caused the bush I had to fall apart and die as it did. I won't take the chance and replant in that garden spot using the same soil that is in the hole. I will dig it out and replace it with some freshly mixed soil just in case there is something in that soil that is the cause for my original "Falling In Love" to die. Wish me luck!!