I'm in zone 5b in Canada and have more than 100 Austins (grown on
hardy northern Ontario rootstock) that get no winter protection except
for a blanket of snow. My oldest ones are six years old and while I've
even had Rugosas suffer winterkill, not one of my English roses has
ever died or gone wild, even when the temps go below -30C. That's one
of the reasons I keep planting them. That and they're gorgeous. And
smell good. And aren't unduly afflicted by blackspot or mildew. Plant
away.

Larry Blanchard wrote in message ...
In article ,
says...
I am in NE Ohio along the lake which is supposed to be zone 6 but I
always buy for zone 5 just to be careful. Does anyone know how English
Roses fare in this zone? I'm interested in getting the "Evelyn" David
Austin type.

I'm in Spokane WA (zone 5) and I've had several Austins for years.
Mostly the Chaucer series. No protection in winter and very little
dieback.

Tonight and tomorrow we're supposed to get below zero. Coldest it's been
in several years. But there is over 6" of snow on the ground. We'll see
what the Austins look like next spring :-).

If you really want roses that laugh at blizzards, get some rugosas. I
keep having to severely prune mine so I can still get through the garden
:-).