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"Barfield White Climber" rose Reviews & Comments
Discussion id : 171-182
most recent 10 days ago HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 10 days ago by joys of life
In my second year owning this rose. It's finally blooming in great big bunches of flat, open white flowers with golden stamens and I love it. The flowers last 2-3 days. I don't really detect a strong fragrance.

This rose is very vigorous and as it's blooming, is throwing out 2 more thick new canes. It got damaged in the last hurricane to hit the Tampa area, but in the first year I'd say it grew about 6 feet.
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Reply #1 of 1 posted 10 days ago by Nastarana
Why is this rose thought to be a hybrid Arvensis? I ask because if it has Ayrshire genetics, it possibly could be hardy to zone 5. Are we thinking e.g., R. arvensis x a tea rose? I don't see it being grown in the gardens column colder than 6b.
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Discussion id : 166-987
most recent 27 APR HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 27 APR by Planetrj (zone 11b/H2 pH 5.8)
Received as a liner, and moved to a 2 gallon pot. Now third growing season, and about to put it into the ground. It grew nicely to 4’ the first year. Second year, grew just 2 feet more after pruning back to 3 feet, so it’s now back to 5 feet, but with a huge root ball crammed into a 4 gallon pot.
First medium sized flush this spring around mid-March. Bloomed the second spring with a small flush, then two very small flushes later in the year, June, then September.
Fragrance is very interesting. In spring, it resembles candied cherries. The later flushes presents more of a spice, almost sweet licorice fragrance. I never picked up the myrrh in this, but I certainly know that fragrance as I have many DA roses with this strong note.
Completely BS free here in rainy Hawaii. Seems heat resistant and humidity resistant in our summertime.
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Discussion id : 166-719
most recent 11 APR HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 9 APR by joys of life
Does Barfield Climber flower in year 1? I'm in Tarpon Springs FL (zone 9/10) and she has been growing vigorously, almost 2 feet in the last 3 months since planted. But no flowers, or hint of flowers yet. Is that usual? Thanks!
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Reply #1 of 5 posted 9 APR by Nastarana
That experience is typical of many climbing roses. While it is growing is a good time to train however you want it to grow.
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Reply #3 of 5 posted 10 APR by joys of life
Thank you! It's my first climber. I've never seen a rose shoot up like this. There are so many stems. How many is a good amount for a trainable climber? The rose hasn't quite reached the pillar I planted it by yet so it's just waving in the wind right now.
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Reply #2 of 5 posted 10 APR by Robert Neil Rippetoe
It flowers on old wood, so you may have to wait till next Spring.

There is a modest fall repeat so you may have some blossoms then.,
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Reply #4 of 5 posted 10 APR by joys of life
Thanks for your reply! does this mean it shouldn't be cut back in the spring?
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Reply #5 of 5 posted 11 APR by Robert Neil Rippetoe
Do your major pruning after flowering, then only to train and shape as desired.
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Discussion id : 150-937
most recent 26 SEP 23 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 24 SEP 23 by scvirginia
Does anyone know where this rose was found? I see that there is a Barfield, Alabama, but have no idea if Mr. Starnes found this rose there. OTOH, Barfield could be someone's surname?
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Reply #1 of 7 posted 25 SEP 23 by Robert Neil Rippetoe
As I remember John stated that the person he got the rose from was named Barfield. Subsequently that's what he called it.
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Reply #2 of 7 posted 25 SEP 23 by scvirginia
Thanks!

As I'm sure you know, it can be helpful to know where foundlings were found (gives us an idea of what conditions they've persisted in, and also it may help to check old catalogs from nearby nurseries to see if there might be any clues about the original name). Too often that info gets lost...
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Reply #3 of 7 posted 26 SEP 23 by Robert Neil Rippetoe
John was a character. We communicated off and on for years.

He did state how he came by the rose. Perhaps it was in one of the forums. I can't recall exactly where. As I recall he purchased it from a woman named Barfield.

Pam Greenewald of Angel Gardens might be of help since she's been in that area for many years. John communicated with a lot of rose growers and they might be of help but many of them have also passed.

See notes at Barfield Climber,
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Reply #4 of 7 posted 26 SEP 23 by scvirginia
Thanks- I did read the notes, and it does seem like this particular rose will thrive under varied conditions.

As for what roses were locally sold, it's hardly a fool-proof way to ID a rose, but sometimes it can suggest varieties that aren't obvious. Not everyone knows that a few Florida nurseries were big on Alister Clark's Australian Roses back in the 1930's, for example...
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Reply #5 of 7 posted 26 SEP 23 by Lee H.
Since I can’t post the link, here is what John wrote about it in his blog “Rosegasms”

“Years ago, Patty Barfield of 'Personal Touch Roses' bought several Mystery Roses from a travelling plants sales man though they were not in bloom...he said they were a white climber that grew well in Florida. She called to tell me as she knows I love trying to ID Mystery Roses, so I drove to Dover and bought one. I initially called it (with her permission) "Barfield White Rambler" as the first two years it was a once bloomer. But when it became a repeater I renamed it.”

I wonder what he renamed it?

You can find it all with johnstarnesloveofroses dot blogspot dot com
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Reply #6 of 7 posted 26 SEP 23 by scvirginia
Thanks! I didn't realize his blog was still online. A traveling plant salesman doesn't really help much with the location query!

I'm guessing the name change was from 'Rambler' to 'Climber'?
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Reply #7 of 7 posted 26 SEP 23 by Robert Neil Rippetoe
I didn't realize his blog was still available either. Good for you!

Barfield in my climate could be classed as a rambler though it does have modest fall repeat here. In some more moderate climates it probably repeats modestly through much of the year.
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