I have had Praire Star one season. It was an own root plant planted in May of 2011. So far it has exhibited good growth, little blackspot, and blooms on a frequent bases. Plant growth is strong for first year planting. Very pleased with abundance of fragrance, compared to other rose. Fragrance is apple/green apple, strong when first opened, but fragrance fades longer the flower is on the bush.
Thank you for your reply. What climate zone are you in?
I'm curious: Does this rose actually smell like green apples to you, or like something else? In my experience, roses that supposedly have a "green apple" fragrance don't actually smell like green apples to me.
To my nose Prairie Star (or the rose I obtained from a German nursery as Prairie Star) has myrrh scent. According to lineage info this one doesn't have Austin's Yeoman in it's lineage, so either I have the wrong rose or my nose lies to me.
I think that depends upon the nose smelling it, as well as the age of the bloom and under what conditions. In 9b, mid California desert and to my nose, it impressed me as having almost a ripe grapefruit rind scent.
You are sure right, Kim. Just out of curiosity, how does Austin's Jude the Obscure smell to your nose? Because to mIne THAT is exactly grapefruit rind. :)
This rose was a bit of slow grower in its first year but in year two it's a healthy and generous bloomer. The flowers also last a long time in a vase. Prairie Star is one of my favorite roses!
I've had this rose since May 2012. It took a little while to start growing but I'm very fond of it. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and the shrub itself is very cold-hardy--this site lists it as hardy to Zone 4 and I believe it!
My only gripe is that the blooms do attract thrips. It's too bad, because they really are stunning.
