While I have rarely contributed to them, I follow a couple of rose discussion groups. It's not that I have anything against contributing, it just often seems that my experiences with some roses is contrary to that of other contributors. Such is the case with a recent discussion regarding Ebb Tide. The discussion talked about what a poor grower and how disease prone Ebb Tide is. My experience has been different. Granted this discussion was among hybridizers who have goals beyond the individual plant.
In April of 2010, I planted a small own-root band of Ebb Tide. It is now just one year old and has grown to be just about three feet tall and has been very healthy. It still needs to fill out and I wish it had a more spreading habit, but so far I can't find much to complain about. Flowers on Ebb Tide often open on the pink side of purple, darken as they mature, and finishes with gray tones (much like my beard). It may be that Ebb Tide has significant problems but in its location on the South side of our house, shaded from the Western sun, in my nearly no-spray garden (once last year and none this year) it has been one of the most beautiful roses of the Spring. A cluster of blooming Ebb Tide flowers creates a very dramatic display.
