One of three plants of 'Charles Austin' planted out late this winter had enough energy to send up a 5 foot cane, so I think I had good plants, but then all three entered heat dormancy in June (interior southern California). Of the several roses I've been studying in my garden, none have completely defoliated like 'Charles Austin' has--still dormant now in early September--a couple of little sprigs have tried to come out but fizzle. Plants appear to be fine otherwise, with some dieback at the tips. 'Belle Story' and 'Tamora', also newly planted, seem to be partially heat dormant. For people who don't like that look, 'Abraham Darby' looks much cleaner and greener and also doesn't scorch when it gets up to 105 F like 'Huntington Rose' did. Also, 'Abraham Darby' doesn't get any salt burn unlike some others.

Heat dormancy doesn't bother me because my project is to find roses that withstand 'waterless' conditions (no water once-established, all the plants mentioned above are still being watered). The summer dormancy may confer an advantage, we'll see.

Père de David Austin

Syn.'Ausfather', 'Ausles', 'Charming Apricot'
Rosa Inglese a cespuglio o rampicante, Gruppo Antica Ibrida, a portamento eretto, compatto, vigoroso e ben ramificato. Foglie lucide verde intenso. Fiori grandi, a coppa, rosa albicocca, sfumati giallo al centro. Fragranza intensa e fruttata, di thè. Rifiorente, rustica. H.120/300cm L.120/185cm. Una delle più belle rose di David Austin.
(ROSACEAE) (David C.H.Austin, David Austin Roses Ltd., UK, 1973)

maybe it depends on where this rose is grown, but on the basis of the one exemplar in my garden i would describe it as " spring or summer flushing with scattered later bloom". i´ve known this one for seven years and it has never shown any new growth earlier than three weeks after the last flower has faded in the middle of july.