When the weather is above 80 degrees, Firefighter beats all my 15 Austins in fragrance. My own-root Firefighter is the most perfect red rose: tall, slender, zero diseases even in high humidity in my alkaline clay and tap water with pH near 9. It lasts for a week in the vase, the color is delightful, and still smells good when the petals fall apart. The rebloom is faster than Austin, and it doesn't occupy much space.

Firefighter has a higher demand for calcium to make canes solid, If I don't give it calcium (lime for acidic rain), or gypsum for alkaline tap water ... the canes get hollow and more susceptible to cane-borers.

fragrant hold until last petal fall

i purchased Firefighter late last season as a potted rose from Chamblee's nursery. because it was so small, this season is the first time it has bloomed, nice large red rose with a good form and a fragrance that makes your nose keep coming back for more. I dont have much more info to share than that for now, i might add that this rose is winter hardy for zone 6. I will make updates to its progress for this summer.

Did not have a true red until I bought this one last year. Was more than pleased, the scent is what we all want from a red and the color is "modern" as in it does not BLUE or PURPLE like Crimson Glory, Chrysler Imperial, Mirandy or even, in my experience, Mister Lincoln and Oklahoma. The repeat cycle was also very fast for a rose with a larger bloom. Mine did end up in the lower 50% of disease resistance regarding blackspot but mildew was for the first time ever in 2011 and in 6a, Columbus, a HUGE issue for me, and this one NEVER GOT IT whereas I had to make a "sick bed" area for some oldies like Granada which were disfigured (blackspot is something I think you learn to deal with east of the Mississippi)..........did not realize Orard is notable............this rose got my attention............I love it and cannot wait to see what it does this next year.............