Garden Web 論壇有一些不錯的主題, 大家也可以在這裡討論.
例如, 你種過哪些最香的玫瑰?
你又最喜歡那種玫瑰的香味？

我喜歡 Jude The Obscure 和 Abraham Darby 的香味.
雙喜雖然也很香, 但不是特別喜歡.
和平的香味雖然不濃, 但聞起來很舒服.

一個外國人 Rosyjennifer 的說法很值得參考, 摘錄如下:

Erotika - traditional rose
Jennifer - sweet rose
Sharifa Asma - lemon rose
Grace de Monaco - cotton candy rose
St Cecelia - myrrh
Le Vesuve - pepper
Distant Drums - myrrh
Marie Pavie spice
Pink sport of Marie Pavie
Chic - very light fragrance
Sexy Rexy
Sheila's Perfume
Sunday Lemonade - sport of Lemon Spice - lemony
Invitation - tea
Jude the Obscure - citrus
Julia's Rose - very light fragrance but My DD's name is Julia so I couldn't resist
Thanksgiving spicy
Secret - rose
Dorcas - light but very pleasing
Frederic Mistral - big rose
Compassion - rose
Abraham Darby - peacy/fruity
Cymbaline - myrrh
Joan Fontaine - myrrh
Lyda Rose sweet rose
Escapade - super spicy
Darlow's Enigma swet rose
Nastarana - sweet spicy candy
Alchemist - can't remember it hasn't bloomed yet!
Buff Beauty - musk
Felecia - musk
Bubble Bath - sweet musk
Sweet Chariott - super rose

下面這個外國人(Dave_Lisa)的說法很經典, 由於該文在整個 Threads 中的一段,
如果直接引用網址, 尋找上較不方便.
因此節錄如下:

Honestly you really can't get a true impression of a rose fragrance unless you've smelled it at different times of the day/growing season. Some roses are much more fragrant during the autumn than they are in the spring. Others are only fragrant after a few years when they have become established. More are fragrant in the early morning, at night, or after a rain shower. For example, my favorite rose MOLINEUX really doesn't come alive until the evening when his Musk rose topnote becomes evident. The very best fragrant roses, like Gertrude Jekyll and Madame Isaac Periere, combine three or more of the various scents that make up the rose fragrance, and can be smelled by anyone at anytime from spring till frost. Here is a breakdown of the major rose scents.

ALBA ?Comes from the R. canina (or the wild dog rose found in Europe). It has a sweet presence like the Damask scent (see below) but with sharp, piercing quality all its own. It is my second favorite scent and is especially fantastic in cultivars that combine it with Damask. The Damask acts as a base note holding that Alba middle note for a very long time. This combo has the ability to waft on the breeze and a tall Alba rose shrub in full bloom can perfume an entire garden. At night the scent is so strong it will take a stroll down the block.

DAMASK ?The classic rose scent. I haven? met anyone who can? detect its smooth, sweet, and deep presence. It comes from the ancient Persian roses and became the dominant scent among the OGRs. QUARTRE SEASONS has this classic scent in abundance.

FETID ?Rosa foetida gifted the rose world with its bright buttercup yellow coloration. Unfortunately, R. foetida? generosity came at a terrible price for along with the rare color came a susceptibility for black spot disease and a sulfurous fragrance that smells like rotting flesh. Fortunately, hybridization has for the most part removed this scent from the rose gene pool. Too bad we haven? been able to do the same with that retched propensity for black spot! If you wish to experience R. foetida? "unique" scent take a whiff of the species sport Persian Yellow or for a slightly less pungent variation try its hybrid Harison? Yellow. Bon Appetite!

FRUITY ?Did you know that apple trees are a member of the rose family? Well that is where this scent comes from. It is particularly evident in the species rose R. eglanteria and its hybrids. Many Wichuraiana climbers (like NEW DAWN and AWAKENING) also smell like apples. As an added bonus this scent isn? just limited to apples. Some roses can smell like peaches (EVELYN), apricots (APPRICOT NECTAR), lemons (WHITE LIGHTNIN), and other fruits. Sadly I have trouble perceiving fruity scents but I am getting better at detecting them.

MOSS ?The evergreen scent associated with the Moss roses doesn? really come from the blooms themselves but instead from the mossy growth on the sepals and flower stems. When pressed the "moss" releases this wonderful scent. Honestly I think the moss smells just like the herb rosemary but others say it is more like pine needles. Regardless it is a great smell! OLD MOSS is my favorite of this group because the moss is soft and velvety. The blooms are clear pink and redolent of Damask. Combine Damask with the fresh scent of rosemary and you have one memorable and unique rose.

MUSK ?My absolute favorite rose scent! To me it smells like a combination of Orange Blossom, Jasmine, and an earthy base that I liken to moist soil. Very-Very complex is its own right and absolutely sends me to the heavens when I smell it. The scent intensifies during the evening. Take a whiff of R. moschata at night and the perfume will reach out, knock you down, grab you by the hair, and then drag you into a state of giggling rosy euphoria.

MYRRH ?You can blame David Austin for this one. The myrrh fragrance was a very rare scent limited to a few Old Garden Roses until he came along and used the myrrh scented Belle Isis to breed Constance Spry. He then used CS extensively to breed his line of roses; and that my friend is where it all came from. To those who adore this scent it smells like anise, licorice or the essential oil. It was a favorite of Graham Stuart Thomas. Personally I have mixed feelings about the Myrrh scent. By itself it reeks, but alloyed with fruity scents it smells like a pie. Combine it with the Violet scent and you get something that smells like baby power. Be careful with this one folks! ALWAYS sniff a Myrrh scented rose first before buying.

SPICY GALLICA - As you can guess this scent comes from the Gallica family. It smells just like freshly crushed peppercorns. When the scent is mild in strength and compliments another dominant scent it is very pleasant (Don? believe me? Just take a good whiff of DOUBLE DELIGHT and you should detect that peppery aftertaste). On its own it makes you want to sneeze. A lot of Polyanthas have this scent in their fragrance makeup too.

SPICY RUGOSA ?Comes from R. rugosa and its hybrids. The scent smells just like cloves. I really like it when combined with fruit scents. For example, Everest Double Fragrance combines a refreshing apple scent with that of cloves and cinnamon; the combination of which is positively delicious.

SWEET PEA ?Smells just like Sweet Pea flowers; a sweet, soft and feminine scent that everyone likes. It comes from OLD BUSH CHINA and its hybrids.
TEA ROSE ?Comes from China and the Tea roses we associate with it. Tea rose is a fresh somewhat sweet scent that some liken to tea leaves. To me it is similar to flowering tobacco and is one of my favorite scents. Most fragrant Hybrid Teas have this scent in abundance. My nose is especially sensitive to Tea rose and can easily detect it in only slightly fragranced cultivars. The Austin rose GRAHAM THOMAS has a strong, pure Tea rose fragrance.

VIOLET ?A gift from the Orient, the violet scent comes from R. banksia, an Asian species rose. Violet is a sweet and powdery scent that I really like. It is difficult to find because the once blooming R. banksia roses (there are four distinct cultivars) have not been used extensively in the breeding of modern roses. It is a ravishing scent regardless that is identical to the fragrance of sweet violets (Viola odorata). A few roses have this scent in their fragrance background. REINE DES VIOLETTES is the best cultivar that comes to mind.

After years of growing them, visiting public gardens and putting my sniffer to the test I think I have compiled a pretty good list of rose classics with fragrance to die for. You'll also see a great number of recommendations from forum members.

Lastly, please be mindful of one thing: our sniffers are different. A rose that is powerfully fragrant to me may not make a terrific impression on you. With that said please enjoy the list.

For fragrance I recommend:
ALBAS
Alba maxima (blush white)
Alba Semi Plena (semidouble, pure white)
Celestial (clear pink)
Felicite Parmentier (light pink)
Great Maidens Blush (blush pink)
Konigan von Danemark (pink blend)
Madame Legras de Saint Germain (soft white with green button eye)
Madame Plantier (pale pink bud opening white with green button eye)
Maiden? Blush (see Great Maiden? Blush)
Rosa Alba Suaveolens (soft white)

BOURBONS
Boule de Neige (pure white)
Coquette des Blanches (soft white)
Honorine de Brabant (pink spotted purple)
Louise Odier (medium pink)
Madame Ernst Calvat (light pink)
Madame Isaac Periere (raspberry pink)
Madame Pierre Oger (soft white tipped lilac pink)
Maggie (cherry red)
Reine Victoria (dusky pink)
Variegata di Bologna (white and purple stripe)

BUCKS
AppleJack (clear pink)
Distant Drums (mauve blend)
Earth Song (rose pink)
Fuzzy Navel (see Winter Sunset)
Les Sjulin (coral pink)
Prairie Sunrise
Silver Shadows (pale silvery lavender)
Winter Sunset (medium apricot fading to ivory)

CENTIFOLIAS
Blanchefleur (soft white)
Chapeau de Napoleon (clear pink)
Crested Moss (see Chapeau de Napoleon)
Petite de Hollande (medium pink)
Rosa Centifolia Cristata (See Chapeau de Napoleon)
Tour de Malakoff (reddish purple)
Variegata (white striped with lilac)

CHINAS
Arethusa (pale apricot)
Cramoisi Superieur (red blend)
Ducher (crisp linen white)
Eugene de Beauharnais (crimson purple)
Louis XIV (dark red)
Sophy? Perpetual (pink blend)

CLIMBERS & RAMBLERS
Alberic Barbier (blush yellow)
Auguste Gervais (apricot blend)
Autumn Sunset (apricot yellow)
Colonial White (see Sombreuil)
Compassion (salmon pink)
Guinee (dark red)
Kathleen Harrop (see Zephirine Drouhin)
Penny Lane (translucent ivory blushed apricot)
Royale Gold (bright yellow)
Royale Sunset (apricot)
Sombreuil (creamy white)
Sympathie (dark red)
Zephirine Drouhin (cerise pink)

DAMASKS
Celsiana (light pink)
La Ville de Bruxelles (clear pink)
Madame Hardy (snowy white)
Quartre Seasons (clear pink)

ENGLISH ROSES (Austins, Romanticas, and Generosas)
Abraham Darby (Austin, apricot blend)
Ambridge Rose (Austin, apricot pink blend)
August Renoir (Romantica, bright rose pink)
Charles Darwin (Austin, light yellow)
Comtesse de Provence (Romantica, soft coral pink)
Constance Spry (Austin, clear pink)
Cressida (Austin, buff apricot blend)
Eglantyne (Austin, clear porcelain pink)
Evelyn (Austin, apricot pink blend)
Fair Bianca (white with green button eye)
Falstaff (raspberry red)
Frederic Mistral (Romantica, light cool pink)
Gertrude Jekyll (rose pink)
Golden Celebration (rich golden yellow)
Guy de Maupussant (medium pink)
Halloween (soft orange)
Happy Child (bright yellow)
Heritage (shell pink)
Jayne Austin (apricot yellow)
Jude the Obscure (honey)
Pat Austin (Austin, coppery orange)
Radio Times (Austin, rose pink)
Rose-Marie (see Heritage)
Rouge Royale (Romantica, cherry red)
Sharifa Asma (Austin, pearly pink)
St. Swithun (Austin, soft warm pink blend)
Toulouse Lautrec (Romantica, clear yellow)
Tamora (Austin, clear apricot)
The Prince (Austin, imperial purple)
Tradescant (Austin, rich burgundy red shaded violet black)
Yves Piaget (Romantica, hot pink)

FLORIBUNDAS
Angel Face (1968, dusky mauve)
Apricot Nectar
Everest Double Fragrance (light coral pink)
Intrigue (rich reddish purple)
Margaret Merril (white with blush pink center)
Scentimental (white striped with red)
Sunsprite (bright yellow)

GALLICAS
Belle de Crecy (cool medium pink)
Belle sans Flatterie (pink-mauve blend)
Belle Isis (soft pink)
Duc de Guiche (crimson, mauve & pink blend)
Duchesse de Montebello (light pink)
L?ngenue (creamy white)
President de Seize (pink blend)

GRANDIFLORAS
Lagerfeld (silvery lavender)
Melody Parfumee (deep plum fading to clear lavender)
White Lightnin?(snowy white)

HYBRID MUSKS
Bubble Bath (light pink)
Buff Beauty (soft apricot yellow)
Darlow? Enigma (pure white)
Lavender Lassie (orchid pink)

HYBRID PERPETUAL
Ardoisee de Lyon
Duchesse de Rohan (rich rose pink)
Reine des Violettes (cerise pink deepening to soft purple)
Souvenir du Dr. Jamain (dark red)
Ulrich Brunner (deep cool pink)
Yolande D?ragon (rich rose pink)
HYBRID RUGOSAS
Blanc Double de Coubert (pure white)
Hansa (magenta)
Sarah Van Fleet (clear pink)
Therese Bugnet (pink blend)
Topaz Jewel (yellow)

HYBRID TEAS
Alec? Red (1970, subdued red)
Blue Girl/Moon (clear lavender)
Chrysler Imperial (burgundy red)
Dolly Parton (garish orange red)
Doube Delight (creamy white swirled with strawberry red)
Fragrant Cloud (coral red)
French Perfume (pink and yellow bicolor)
Granada (yellow, orange, scarlet tricolor)
Heirloom (dark mauve blend)
Jardens de Bagatelle (creamy white edged pale pink)
Just Joey (clear apricot)
Lemon Spice (patel yellow tinted pale pink)
Memorial Day (lilac pink)
Mr. Lincoln (dark red)
New Day (clear yellow)
New Zealand (flesh pink)
Oklahoma (dark red)
Papa Meilland (dark red)
Radiance (pink blend)
Secret (white tipped pink)
Sweet Surrender (light pink)
Tiffany (pink/yellow blend)

MINIATURES
Pink Poodle (pink with white center)
Scentsational (clear mauve tinted orchid pink)
Sweet Chariot (purple blend)

MOSS
Common Moss (pure pastel pink)
Madame de la Roche Lambert (crimson tinted magenta and purple)
Mrs. William Paul (clear pink)
Nuits de Young (rich purple)
Robert Leopold (salmon pink blend)
Salet (clear pink)

NOISETTES
Blush Noisette (pink blend)
Celine Forestier (yellow & pink blend)
Desprez a Fleur Jaune (See Jaune Desprez)
Gloire de Dijon (buff beige tinted dawn pink)
Jaune Desprez (buff apricot)
Lemarque (pale yellow)
Madame Alfred Carrier (blush white)
Marechal Niel (clear yellow)

POLYANTHAS
Clothilde Soupert (blush white with soft pink center)
Katherine Zeimet (creamy white tinted pale yellow at the petal base)
Little White Pet (pink buds opening white)
Marie Daly (light pink)
Marie Pavie (ivory white)
Perle D?r (clear apricot)
White Pet (see Little White Pet)

PORTLANDS
Baronne Prevost (medium pink)
Compt de Chambourd (lilac pink)
Duchesse de Rohan (rich rose pink)
Jacques Cartier (light pink)
Rose de Rescht (vivid fuchsia)

SHRUB ROSES
Cardinal Hume (tyrian purple)
Harrison? Yellow (bright yellow)
Sonia Rkyiel (soft coral pink)
Vineyard Song (mauve blend)

SPECIES
Rosa banksiae banksiae (pure white)
Rosa brunonii (white)
Rosa foetida persiana (bright buttercup yellow)
Rosa moschata (white)
Rosa rugosa alba (pure white)
Rosa rugosa rubra (rich reddish pink)

TEAS
Clementina Carbonier (coral blend)
Comtesse de Turenne (light pink)
Duchesse de Brabant (light pink)
Etoile de Lyon (pale golden yellow)
Francis Dubruiel (dark true red)
Gilbert Nabonnand (pale coral pink)
Jules Gravereau (see Triumphe de Luxemborg)
Lady Hillingdon (egg yolk yellow)
Madame Joseph Swartz (blush white)
Madame Wagram (see Comtesse de Turenne)
Marie d?rleans (hot pink)
Mrs. BR Cant (medium cool pink)
Tipsy Imperial Concubine (pink blend)
Triumphe de Luxembourg (clear pink)
William R. Smith (blush pink)

ALBAS
The first Alba Rose (Alba semi-plena) was created from a cross between Rosa canina (the European dog rose) and an unknown Old Garden Rose (probably a Damask but this is hotly debated). From Alba semi-plena a whole class of Old Garden Roses arose. They along with the Gallicas and Damasks form what I call the grand triad of Old Garden Roses, i.e. the three most important ancient classes of once blooming roses. Although they date back to the late dark ages Albas are more commonly associated with the Renaissance and were often pictured in the art of this period. Sadly they weren? used much in hybridization with the Chinas and Teas that would appear later. Growth habit is very tall and their long, flexible canes are easily trained up trees, pagodas, and other garden structures. Thorns are few so training is a relatively risk free endeavor. Their foliage is an unusual gray green in color and is notably resistant to fungal diseases. Another positive trait is their shade tolerance and these roses can grow very well in areas that only receive a few hours of direct sunlight a day. Albas do best in cold climates but there are a few cultivars that do equally as well in areas that receive hot and humid summers. Their only faults are a single, albeit abundant spring bloom and a difficulty with rooting cuttings (if you want to try taking cuttings the chance of success can be increased by doing so in October and exposing them to cool temps).
ALBA MAXIMA (Alba, pre-15th century) ?translucent white with a pale pink wash. The full blooms appear in clusters of 3 to 8 per stem. Individual blossoms remind me of the craft paper roses we made in art class as children. The fragrance is strong and sweet with a refreshing astringency. Growth habit is very tall to ten feet and then arching outwards ?a magnificent specimen plant. Disease resistance is very good although it might get a little rust from time to time. In the cool Pacific Northwest this rose can bloom as long as 6 to 8 weeks. Winter hardy to zone 3. Once blooming. Recommended by LPlantagenet, Aster Qc, and Lemecdutex.

ALBA SEMI PLENA (Species hybrid, ancient) ?pure white, semi double flower form. This is the original Alba rose and has historical significance galore. It is thought to have been the emblem of the House of York during the "War of the Roses" in Britain? history. Botticelli showered his goddess of love and beauty with it in his Renaissance masterpiece "The Birth of Venus." The fragrance is intense and is still used today to extract rose essential oil. The monstrous shrub is virtually disease free and can be grown all the way up to the Canadian North. It is shade tolerant too. Winter Hardy to zone 3. Once blooming.

BELLE AMOUR (Alba, unknown parentage, unknown hybridization date) ?warm pink. This forgotten rose was discovered around 1940 growing wild in a convent garden. It is rather unusual in that the fragrance is atypical for an Alba rose being redolent of myrrh which tells me that the Gallica Belle Isis may be a parent. The form is deeply cupped at first then reflexes into a flat flower. What impresses me most about Belle Amour is the symmetry of the petal shape, size and placement. Consequently the fully open flowers look like the illustrated pink roses found in medieval illuminated manuscripts. The plant size is a very manageable 5?6?in height by 3?4?wide. Winter hardy to zone 3.

CELESTIAL (Alba, unknown parentage, 1810) ?clear pink. I still remember the first time I smelled this rose. The fragrance was fantastic and unlike that of any other rose -- strong, achingly sweet and piercing. The semi-double blooms have a symmetry to them that reminds me of Belle Amour but in this case the pink color is unalloyed with any coral tones and the fragrance is sweeter and more "Alba like". The extremely tall, gracefully arching shrub is beautiful in its own right. Rarely is it marred by black spot and the gray-green foliage has a silvery cast that perfectly suits it when grown in dabbled shade. Like all Albas, Celestial is shade tolerant and winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming.

FELICITE PARMENTIER (Alba, unknown parentage, 1834) ?light pink. The small blooms are PERFECTLY formed and quartered. Fragrance is pure Alba, sweet and intense. For an easy to manage Alba (most of them are tall and mounding) Felicite can? be beat. Growth habit is tall (to 5? and upright. In areas that have cool springs the bloom period can be as long as 6 weeks, which suggests some China influence. She starts late too so plants can be staggered with early blooming Old Garden Roses to achieve the maximum possible period of bloom. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Soler NY.

GREAT MAIDENS BLUSH (Alba, pre 15th century) ?soft white blushed warm pink. The fragrance is strong and sweet. GMB is generally considered the best all around Alba. The ravishingly beautiful blousy blooms have a translucency that must be seen to be believed. Bush is tall and masses beautifully. The gray green foliage is attractive in its own right. Although it blooms but once each season it does so in an all out bonanza that few modern roses could ever hope to match. Winter hardy to zone 4. Maiden? Blush is its shorter sport. Once blooming. Recommended by Luanne.
KONIGAN VON DANEMARK (Alba, Cuisse de Nymph x unknown cultivar, 1826) ?pink blend. The "Queen of Denmark" is my favorite Alba and has been called one of the most beautiful roses in existence. The button eyed, quartered flower form is simply perfect. Bloom consistency is exceptional, so each and every flower looks like it should. The color is a luminous pink blend that varies from hot pink buds to the beautiful porcelain pink of the fully mature bloom. Like most Albas the intense sharply sweet fragrance is to die for. As if all this wasn? enough the bush is remarkably well behaved, forming a net rounded shrub of medium height. Foliage is dark green and not prone to any diseases (she is suitable for a no spray garden). Winter hardy to zone 4 but it will also do well in warmer climates. Once blooming.*
MADAME LEGRAS DE SAINT GERMAIN (Alba, unknown parentage, 1848) ?soft white with a green button eye. Flower form is a flattened rosette. Madame Legras blooms later in the season so it can be staggered with early blooming OGRs for a more continuous show. She forms a gently arching shrub, more wide than tall. A child friendly rose, the canes are practically thorn free. The foliage will get black spot so you?l need to occasionally spray it with fungicides. Winter hardy to zone 3. Once blooming. Recommended by Belle Isis.

MADAME PLANTIER (Alba, unknown parentage, 1835) ?pale pink bud opening white with a green button eye. If Konigan von Danemark is my favorite Alba then Mme. Plantier is a close second. The petite, quartered blooms have very good Old Garden Rose form and in the spring literally cover the huge shrub. There is a strong sweet "Alba" fragrance that wafts on the breeze. This shade tolerant rose forms a large mound anywhere it is planted, and the long pliable canes are suitable for training up a trellis or along a fence. Thorns are few and far between so it is easy to handle. It is easier to root than other Albas and the tough as nails foliage makes it suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 3 but will do well in warmer climates. Once blooming. Recommended by several forum members.

MAIDEN? BLUSH (see Great Maiden? Blush)
ROSA ALBA SUAVEOLENS (Alba, unknown parentage, before 1750) ?soft white. One of the oldest Albas this rose forms a huge (to 14+ feet tall!) umbrella like shrub that is perfect for large landscapes. The semi-double blooms have an intensely sweet scent that is capable of wafting great distances on the wind. Winter hardy to zone 3. Once blooming. Recommended by Belle Isis.
PLEASE NOTE: Although I appreciate the Alba roses in other folk? gardens I don? actually grow them. A rose must be a repeat bloomer to make it into my small yard.

BOURBONS
The Bourbon roses originated from a self-sown cross between Autumn Damask and Parson's Pink China (a.k.a. Old Blush China) on the Isle of Bourbon (now Ile de Reunion and hence the name) some time prior to 1819. Due to the influence of both parents the Bourbons are a class of roses that rebloom. They do not repeat as well as the aggressive modern bloomers that we have become accustomed to but you can generally expect a good spring and autumn flush with a scattering of blooms in between. Color range includes various shades of white and everything in the pink spectrum. The flower form varies considerably from flat quartered rosettes to deeply cupped blooms that look like goblets. Like other Old Garden Roses they usually carry an intense fragrance that is typically Damask-like in character. In mild climate zones many Bourbons will grow into large shrubs if allowed and can be used successfully as short climbers or pillar roses. They also respond well to pegging and self-pegging although hard pruning isn? recommended. Hardiness is generally good but there are a few cultivars that are winter tender so it is always smart to check each cultivar? hardiness rating before making a decision whether or not to grow it. Disease resistance is disappointing as most are highly susceptible to black spot and powdery mildew. However, there are a few cultivars that do not have these handicaps to a marked degree, and besides, with such beauty they are worth the extra effort. Bourbons certainly aren? any more trouble than your typical Hybrid Tea. Below is a list of the most fragrant.

BOULE DE NEIGE (Bourbon, Mlle. Blanche Laffitte x Sappho, 1867) ?pure white. The literal translation of the name means "snowball" and that is exactly what the blooms look like. Flower form is so globular as to be rounded. Color is rather unique and very striking. The buds appear in clusters and are brushed with a deep crimson red that remains on the outer petals as they "crack" and open. This contrasts nicely with the gleaming white petals within that swirl in concentric rings without a button eye (in many ways the form is similar to Heritage). Growth habit is tall with long willowy canes that are easily trained. While the Damask fragrance isn? as powerful as say Mme. Isaac Periere or Reine Victoria it is still plenty strong. Winter hardy to zone 5.

COQUETTE DES BLANCHES (Bourbon, Mlle. Blanche Laffitte x Sappho, 1867) ?blush white. Coquette differs from her brother Boule de Neige in her flower form and color. Her blooms start out cupped then quarter around a tiny button eye. The color is pale pink fading to soft white as the flower ages. She is better at fending off disease and is said to be one of the most disease resistant Bourbons. Growth habit is tall and lanky like a Hybrid Perpetual, so peg it or climb it. She will also accept some hard pruning. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Patt Z7.

HONORINE DE BRABANT (Bourbon, unknown parentage, 1840) ?cool pink spotted/striped with purple. Globular buds open into full cupped blooms possess of a strong Damask fragrance with fruity top notes. In warm climate zones this unusual beauty takes up quite a bit of space arching out to 6 feet or more. Disease resistance is about average for a Bourbon rose so you?l need to spray with fungicides to control black spot. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by 11pnut.

KATHLEEN HARROP (see Zephrine Drouhin? decription under Climbers)

LOUISE ODIER (Bourbon, seedling of Emile Courtier, 1851) ?medium cool pink. Some consider this cultivar the quintessential Old Garden rose. It has many things going for it. Clusters of nodding highly scented blooms appear wave after wave from early summer until frost. Each 3 inch flower starts out deeply cupped before quartering into a loosely filled rosette. The color is a good clear medium pink washed with just the lightest tint of lilac. A versatile garden subject, Louise Odier can be grown as a large free-standing shrub, pegged down, or better yet trained onto an arch or pillar so the luscious blooms can be enjoyed from below. For a Bourbon rose the disease resistance is good and it might be worth trying in a no spray garden provided you live anywhere but the eastern seaboard. Canes are nearly thornless too. Winter hardy to zone 4.

MADAME ERNST CALVAT (see Mme. Isaac Periere)
MADAME ISAAC PERIERE (Bourbon, unknown parentage, 1889) ?rich raspberry pink. Prior to the introduction of Gertrude Jekyll this rose was considered the most fragrant rose in the world. It? still worth trying today because of the buxom, hot pink flushed magenta blooms that are blessed with an intoxicating fragrance. That fragrance is positively unearthly and capable of wafting great distances. Think of the perfume as an intense blend of softly sweet Damask blended with fruity aromas. Form is cupped at first then quartering, sometimes around a button eye. The bush is just as exuberant as the festive blooms. It forms a tall lanky shrub that thinks it wants to climb. However, I wouldn? let it climb if I were you. Being a Bourbon she will repeat but does best with pegging rather than letting the awkward shrub have its way and sprawling all over the place. Unfortunately the foliage gets afflicted with black spot fairly easily but responds quickly to applications of fungicides so she definitely is worth trying if you are willing to commit to a spray routine. Madame Ernst Calvat is a light pink sport of this rose and is similar in every way except color. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by several forum members.*

MADAME PIERRE OGER (Bourbon, sport of Reine Victoria, 1878) ?pearly white tipped lilac pink. Strong Damask Rose fragrance. Do you like the globular shaped roses seen on English tea cups? Well this is the rose they are patterned after. The globular form is very extreme, so much so that the blooms look like balls when they are just starting to open. The color is a pink tinted white that deepens to a lilac pink wherever the sun touches it. The combined effect between the globular form and exotic color is one of supreme femininity. I can? think of a better rose to give to a woman. Growth habit is tall and willowy. Please be advised that this Bourbon resents hard pruning and cutting should be restricted to just enough to keep the shrub shapely. Madame Pierre Oger is actually a sport of the dusky pink Reine Victoria, so if a solid lilac tinted pink is more to your liking try "Queen Victoria" instead or even better grow both. Both Bourbons are prone to black spot and powdery mildew so a fungicidal spray program is advised. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Brskovish.

MAGGIE (Bourbon, unknown parentage, found 1980) ?cherry red. This is the rose that Rosebud absolutely insisted that I get. The wretched man simply would not take no for an answer! She is a beauty. The bloom starts out cupped then reflexes and quarters into a dazzling piece of artwork shaded deep cerise pink with cherry red centers (kinda of reminds me of Rouge Royale but the bloom size is smaller). Maggie has a strong spicy fragrance that is a departure from the typical Damask fragrance we associate with the Bourbons. Growth habit is upright to 8 feet then arching over from the weight of the blooms. Sound downright delicious doesn? it? Well I? not surprised; Rosebud THE ENABLER only "recommends" good roses. A little bit of rose trivia. This wonderful rose was found by Dr. William Welch growing wild at a plantation in Louisiana. Maggie also makes a suitable climber in warm climates. Please note that she benefits from a spray program. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Rosebud.

REINE VICTORIA (see Madame Pierre Oger)

VARIEGATA DI BOLOGNA (Bourbon, unknown parentage, 1909) ?white striped with purple. Another zebra rose that is a must have for the collector. The fat round buds open into globular white blooms randomly striped with reddish purple. The blossoms do have a tendency to ball in wet weather but that is to be expected from this type of flower form. The fragrance is reported to be very strong although I haven? had the pleasure of sniffing it. Like most Bourbons it is a black spot disaster without spraying. Repeat bloom is so poor you might as well think of it as a once bloomer. Growth habit is tall with long, sparsely foliated, arching canes that do double duty as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 5.

ZEPHERINE DROUHIN (see description under Climbers)

BUCKS
I like to think of the Buck roses as Hybrid Teas for those who live in frigid climates. Why? Well because most of them have the same airy upright growth habits, long stems and high centered flowers that we associate with Hybrid Teas. The difference is that the man responsible for breeding them, Dr. Griffith Buck, did so in Iowa where the winters are very cold. He created them by crossing cold hardy roses with modern Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. During his hybridizing program he would plant his seedlings, provide no protection, and then only keep those that survived the winter. So yes, Bucks are winter hardy. However, I have noticed that they represent a unique type of hardiness. They do this by showing exceptional vigor, so rather than having canes that survive subzero temperatures growth dies to the snowline then "resurrects" from the surviving plant tissue. By summer the bush has once again reached its mature height of around 4 to 5 feet. For this reason Buck roses do better if grown on their own roots rather than grafted. Another merit is disease resistance. Please note that this does not mean Buck roses are immune to the black spot fungus. What you can expect is better disease resistance than your typical modern rose. Sadly, the Buck roses aren? known for their fragrance. Dr. Buck certainly took fragrance into account in his breeding program since most of his roses have some scent, but by no means would I call them strongly fragrant. Most have a light to moderate fragrance. Listed below are the few exceptions.

APPLEJACK (Buck, Josef Rothmund x R. laxa, 1973) ?clear pink. One of the best Buck roses for sheer ease of growth and garden pleasure. The semi-double flowers have a light clove fragrance but it is the apple scented foliage that is the real star. This tall mounding shrub looks like a wild European rose but has the ability to repeat bloom (repeat is better in areas that have cool summers). As an added bonus the foliage turns light yellow in the fall. Speaking of foliage, the leaves are exceptionally resistant to disease making the rose suitable for no spray gardens. Fully hardy to zone 4 with no winter dieback (this is Dr. Buck? most winter hardy rose). Recommended by John in Minnesota.

DISTANT DRUMS (Buck, September Song x The Yeoman, 1984) ?light tan brown suffused with smoky pink. Distant Drums has a unique fragrance blending damask, myrrh, and neoprene rubber. Growth habit is short and upright like a low growing Hybrid Tea. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by John W in Minnesota.

EARTH SONG (Buck, Music Maker x Prairie Star, 1975) ?deep rose pink. This cultivar always makes it onto Jean? black spot resistant rose list. High praise indeed! Buds are so pointed they look like the tips of sharpened pencils. They quickly open into flat flowers that are a rich rose pink. The fragrance is strong and sweet. Growth habit is better than your typical Buck being more wide than tall to about 4 or 5 feet tall. Then of course there is that unbeatable disease resistance. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by Jean in TN.

FUZZY NAVEL (see Winter Sunset)

LES SJULIN (Buck, seedling of Dornroschen & Peace x Pink Peace, 1981) ?coral pink. Classic old rose (Damask) fragrance. Tall upright bush to 4 feet tall. Winter hardy to zone 4.

PRAIRIE SUNRISE (Buck, Sunsprite x Freckle Face, 1997) ?pale pinkish white blushed warm apricot in the center. A recent introduction to the Buck roses this cultivar has flowers that are atypical from the high centered lovelies that we have come to associate with the Buck roses. In this case the buxom blossoms are packed with petals in an open rosette similar to an Old Garden Rose. Due to her Sunsprite parentage Prairie Sunrise has a strong fruity fragrance. Growth habit is short and compact between 2 to 3 tall. Disease resistance is very good and worth trying in a no spray garden. It is not as winter hardy as one would expect of a Buck rose so be sure to provide winter protection if you live in a zone colder than 5. Recommended by John W in Minnesota.

SILVER SHADOWS (Buck, seedling of Blue Moon & Tom Brown x Autumn Dusk, 1984) ?pale silvery lavender. This is Dr Griffith J Buck? attempt to breed a disease resistant, winter hardy, lavender rose. Well he partially succeeded. Silver Shadows is winter hardy to zone 5, but it sure isn? disease resistant ?something we?e come to expect from the Buck roses. As far as I? concerned this a Hybrid Tea adapted to cold climates. The blooms are high centered, appear one to a stem, and sit atop long stems on upright, lanky bushes. Fragrance, however, is superb but I wouldn? expect anything less from a lavender rose. Quite frankly, either Stainless Steel or Lagerfeld would be a better choice ?that is unless you live in zones 4/5. Recommended by Wendell.

WINTER SUNSET (a.k.a Fuzzy Navel, Buck, Serendipity x seedling of Country Dancer x Alexandra, 1972) ?medium apricot fading to ivory. There seem to be a shortage of fragrant Bucks. Well this is one of the most fragrant. It has a strong sweet fruity scent. The high centered blooms are very pretty and look like vintage Hybrid Teas. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Littlesmokie in Portland Or (Hey Smokie! How about giving us a description of its growth habits?).

CENTIFOLIAS
Centifolias are the "cabbage roses" depicted in the still life paintings of the Old Dutch Masters. They differ from other Old Garden Roses (OGRs) in that they do not descend from a species parent. Rather, they are complex hybrids created by Dutch breeders during the 16th and 17th centuries. They have lax, thorny, open bushes with large coarsely toothed foliage. Their blooms have a distinctive flower form that we call globular, i.e. so deeply cupped in shape that they look like cabbages (hence the name). Disease resistance is better than modern roses but not as good as the Albas, Damasks and Gallicas that preceded them. Sadly, few remain in commerce today. Almost all are highly fragrant.

BLANCHEFLEUR (Centifolia, unknown parentage, 1835) ?blush white. Most of the surviving Centifolia roses are some shade of pink, which makes Blanchefleur a stand out. Personally if I were to grow a white once blooming Old Garden Rose I? choose Madame Hardy for her perfection of flower form and fragrance. Fortunately, Blanchefleur has a few tricks up his sleeve. Although his flowers are less pure of color or perfect in form, they are larger and are borne in greater profusion on a vigorous, tough plant. Red stained buds expand quickly into 5 inch domed rosettes of silken petals, then reflex completely into creamy spheres surmounted by large button eyes. The petals are not symmetrically quartered. Instead they are rumpled like great handfuls of antique silk. The flowers often show a faint pink blush toward their centers. Their Damask fragrance is rich and intoxicating, wafting great distances on the breeze. The growth habit is big and sprawling, forming a broad mound up to 5 feet tall and 7 feet wide. The foliage is pale gray-green and resistant to disease. Canes are well armed with small yet vicious thorns. Winter hardy to zone 4.

CHAPEAU DE NAPOLEON (Centifolia, 1820) ?clear pink. This rose is known by two other names (R. centifolia cristata and Crested Moss) but I prefer the French version. Napoleon? Hat is sometimes classed as a Moss but I place it with the Centifolias because the parsley like growth isn? really like moss and besides it is restricted to the sepals and isn? fragrant of balsam either. The blooms, however, are pure Centifolia looking like a small cabbage that reflexes around the telltale button eye. The fragrance is said to among the best within the Old Garden Rose group. High praise indeed! It is a complex blend of Damask and spice reminiscent of the Gallica Roses. Growth habit is medium-tall and asymmetrical. Training and support will be needed to keep the shrub shapely. Foliage is on the sparse side so this rose is probably best grown as a collector? item. Winter hardy to zone 5. Once blooming. Recommended by Luvaduck in Toronto.

CRESTED MOSS (See Chapeau de Napoleon)

PETITE DE HOLLANDE (Centifolia, unknown parentage, 1791) ?bright pink. Due to their complex ancestry the Centifolia roses have a definite propensity to throw sports. For example we get our Moss roses from a sport of R. Centifolia. Another type of sport they are famous for throwing is the first Miniature roses, the most fragrant of which is Petite de Hollande. This rose bears "petite", globular buds which open into sweetly fragrant, deeply cupped, bright pink 1 inch flowers with tiny button eyes. The perfection of flower form is every bit as good as its larger cousins. The bristly shrub is upright in growth habit topping out at 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide. The small, disease resistant foliage is in perfect proportion to the miniature flowers. This cultivar would be a good choice for anybody with limited garden space who wanted to try an Old Garden Rose. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming.

ROSA CENTIFOLIA CRISTATA (See Chapeau de Napoleon)

TOUR DE MALAKOFF (Centifolia, unknown parentage, 1857) ?vivid magenta purple shaded smoky lavender on the outer petals. The large, blousy 4 inch blooms are cupped and crammed full of petals. While some may consider the color garish it does make quite a statement in the landscape and blends well with other purple colored flowers. The fragrance is very strong and complex, combining several distinct rose scents into a harmonious whole. The small leaves are smooth and show good disease resistance against black spot although I?e read reports of mildew susceptibility in arid climates. The growth habit is bushy and tall, capable of reaching 8 feet or more. It is well suited to training as a pillar rose or low climber. Prune this rose lightly until it gets established (about two years) as it blooms on old wood. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming.

VARIEGATA

ABRAHAM DARBY (Austin, Aloha x Yellow Cushion, 1990) ?rich coppery apricot shaded smoky pink on the outer petals. Do you want a big rose with big fragrance? Then this is the rose for you. It? a huge, sprawling teddy bear of a rose. I?e seen specimens that were over 10 feet tall! The fragrance is strong and fruity. Cupped flower form. The foliage is susceptible to black spot so keep the sprayer on hand. Shade tolerant. Winter hardy to zone 5.

ALEC? RED (Hybrid Tea, 1970) ?subdued red (I call it "turkey waddle red"). Strong damask scent inherited from its Fragrant Cloud parent. High centered flower form. Winter Hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Luanne.

AMBRIDGE ROSE (Austin, 1990) ?apricot pink blend. Strong myrrh fragrance. Cupped flower form is bit loose for my taste but still a very beautiful rose. The compact growth habit (to 3 feet tall) is suitable for container culture and small gardens. Hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Mystique in Austin TX.

ANGEL FACE (Floribunda, 1968) ?dusky mauve sometimes tinted rouge red on the petal tips. ANGEL FACE is a classic Floribunda that is held in high regard by rosarians world wide. There are so many good things about this rose. First, the flowers are very beautiful and romantic due to ruffled petals that surround a heart of bright golden stamens. Trust me the contrast between the soft subdued purple petals and bright yellow center is unbelievable. Another good thing is that the bloom looks good no matter how old it is. ANGEL FACE is a Floribunda so she blooms in clusters and each spray will present a group of blossoms in all stages of development from tight bud to fully open bloom. Fragrance is outstanding and must be smelled to be believed. In fact it is considered one of the most fragrant roses ever hybridized. Growth habit is petite. Mine never got over 3 feet. This isn't a fault as she'll fit into practically any garden and would look lovely in a large pot or as a standard (tree rose). A grouping of three planted closely together would easily be the focal point of any garden. Please note that ANGEL FACE can grow taller. Rosebud, a highly respected rosarian on the forum, has specimens reaching up to 6 feet but he treats his plants royally with lots of organic fertilizers. I doubt the average gardener will be able to coddle it like Rosebud does. ANGEL FACE does have a few faults. First, disease resistance is rather poor. In hot and humid areas she needs regular spraying with fungicides to keep fungal diseases in check. Second, she is so determined to bloom that the poor thing is capable of blooming herself to death when stressed. Thusly, heavy feeding with organic fertilizers and lots of water during times of drought is necessary to support her diehard determination. Winter hardy to zone 6. This is Wendy? favorite rose. Rosebud is also very fond of it. Ask him to post an image of it on the Rose Gallery ?it?l leave you breathless.

ARETHUSA (China, 1903) ?pale peach. Blooms are pale apricot with hints of yellow and salmon that is somewhat similar to the classic Polyantha Perle D?r. Flower form is typical China, loose and blowsy. Strong sweet fragrance. The twiggy shrub takes time to mature so limit your pruning to general shaping and the removal of dead wood. At maturity Arethusa generally measures 4 x 4 feet. The bongze-green leaves have true disease resistance so it suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Jean in TN.

AUGUST GERVAIS (Rambler, R. wichuraiana x Le Progres, 1916) ?pale apricot pink blend. The flowers can be double or semi-double. At their best they remind me of the David Austin rose Evelyn. The forum member who recommended this rose noted that the fragrance was as good as Madame Isaac Pierere. High praise indeed! Once blooming. Recommended by Lynette.

AUGUST RENOIR (Romantica, 1992) ?bright rose pink. The lush flowers have a wonderful Old Garden Rose fragrance. Blooms are so packed with petals that they have a tendency to ball. Winter hardy to zone 7. One of Kristi? favorites.

AUTUMN SUNSET (Climbing Hybrid Tea, 1986) ?apricot yellow. The strong fruity fragrance perfectly matches the citrusy coloring of the high centered blooms. The foliage is exceptionally disease resistant for a Climbing Hybrid Tea and is worth trying in a no spray garden. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by ameri2nA1.

BARONNE PREVOST (Portland, unknown parentage, 1842) ?medium pink. This rose is sometimes classified as a Hybrid Perpetual but the general consensus points to the Portland class. I think it is some kind of hybrid as the upright growth habit is more like a Hybrid Tea. Hybrid or not the blooms certainly look like Old Garden Roses. Blooms are large, flattened rosettes that sometimes quarter around a central button eye. The color is a typical OGR pink, medium in intensity with magenta tones. The strong Damask fragrance is capable of wafting great distances. Disease resistance is said to be good but not great. In particular black spot can be a problem so spraying with fungicides is necessary to prevent defoliation. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by lemecdutex z9 CA Fresno.

BELLE DE CRECY (Gallica-China Hybrid, 1829) ?cool medium pink deepening to pure violet. The small passionate blooms are lovingly formed with a green button eye. I?e looked far and wide for fragrant Gallicas because as a group their perfume tends to be mild. In this regard Belle de Crecy is a standout. Due to its China parent the fragrance is intense, an incredible mix of the classic peppery Gallica scent and the sweet-pea China perfume. Growth habit is medium-short with "floppy" canes spreading outward. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Soler NY.

BELLE ISIS (Gallica-Damask Hybrid, unknown parentage, 1845) ?soft pink fading to white on the outer petals. A Gallica hybrid well regarded for its ravishingly beautiful flowers and seductive fragrance. Paul Barden describes the strong fragrance as a mix of damask rose, anise, and soap! Blooms are cup shaped and crammed full of petals that sometimes reveal a button eye. David Austin used this rose to breed Constance Spry, which become the foundation rose for his line of myrrh scented English Roses. Growth habit is typical Gallica, short to medium in height, while aggressively sprawling by sending out hungry suckers. Winter Hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by several forum members.

BELLE SANS FLATTERIE (Gallica, unknown parentage, 1829) ?pink mauve blend. Belle san Flatterie produces an abundant profusion of bloom over an extended period of time, something that is greatly appreciated from a once blooming Gallica. Her blooms are truly beautiful with their shallow cupped flower form crammed full of silky petals surrounding a charming button eye. Although I don? "do" once bloomers I must say that I really like the coloration of the pink Gallicas and the way they blend pink with mauve/purple. BsF is a fine representative of this type of coloration. Mature blooms are a pure rose pink in the center paling to a cool lilac on the outer petals. Her strong fragrance is atypical of the Gallica class blending the typical mild Gallica peppery scent with sweet rose (an Alba or China rose must be lurking somewhere in her genetic background). Growth habit is the nicest of the Gallicas on my list. Shrubs are full, slightly taller than wide and well foliated with disease free leaves. Her average height is a manageable 4 feet. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Paparoseman and Paul Barden.

BLANC DOUBLE DE COUBERT (Hybrid Rugosa, Sombreuil x R. rugosa alba, 1892) ?pure white. The blooms look like they are fashioned from sheer, crinkled tissue paper and are blessed with a powerful cinnamon/clove fragrance. While the formless flowers are not my cup of tea BddC is considered by many rosarians to be one of the best Hybrid Rugosas. The disease free foliage has the added bonus of turning vivid orange in the autumn. Be forewarned that this rose is allergic to chemical sprays. The tall, mounding shrub suckers like a wild rose and does double duty as a security hedge due to the vicious thorns. This indestructible rose survives strong wind, drought, extreme cold and is shade tolerant to boot. Just remember to deadhead on a regular basis as the spent blossoms resemble used Kleenex tissues. Winter hardy to zone 3.

BLUE MOON (Hybrid Tea, 1961) ?clear lavender. There is no such thing as a blue rose but this rose comes the closest with its pure lavender coloring. Like many mauve hued roses the fragrance is remarkable, a strong classic rose concoction blended with a hint of lemon. Please note that Blue Moon needs coddling. There seems to be some confusion on whether this is the same cultivar as Blue Girl. The scarce documentation I?e been able to uncover says that Blue Moon and Blue Girl are two separate cultivars, but the vote is still out. Available as a climber under the name Blue Girl in the United States and as Blue Moon elsewhere. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by air-ma-na-sol.

BLUSH NOISETTE (Noisette, 1814) ?pink blend. The achingly sweet fragrance is said to be the best among the Noisettes. Best or not, Blush Noisette is an extremely beautiful rose with its small blooms in varying shades of pink covering a tall mounding shrub. Most Noisettes are disease resistant but not this one. The foliage gets black spot and consequently benefits greatly from a spray regimen. On the plus side Blush Noisette is more winter hardy than your typical Noisette and can easily be grown as far north as zone 6.

BUBBLE BATH (Hybrid Musk, 1980) ?light pink. Blooms are semi-double and fragrant. This tall arching Hybrid Musk is shade tolerant and does double duty as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Luanne.

BUFF BEAUTY (Hybrid Musk, William Allen Richardson x unknown seedling, 1939) ?soft apricot yellow. This is perhaps the most handsome Hybrid Musk. The color is never harsh and the strong fragrance is amazingly complex blending classic rose with fruit scents and a touch of sweet musk. Flowers look like soft yellow pompons. The graceful bush has long arching canes that can be used as a climber. Disease resistance is so good it can get by in a no spray garden. Winter hardy to zone 6.

CARDINAL HUME (Shrub Rose, 1984) ?tyrian purple, a rich reddish purple. If you?e after another unusual scented rose try this one. The fragrance has been likened to that of red trilliums with cinnamon top notes. It has a medium-tall spreading growth habit that makes it an exceptional landscape rose. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Paul Barden.

CELSIANA (Damask, unknown parentage, 1732) ?light pink. One of the older Damasks Celsiana covers itself every spring with light pink semi-double blooms drenched in classic Damask perfume. Growth habit is tall and busy, forming a nicely shaped shrub of about 5 feet in height. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Pual_stbay.

CHARLES DARWIN (Austin, 2001) ?light yellow. Before I begin writing about him let me tell you right now that Charles Darwin is the most fragrant yellow David Austin English Rose to date. I first saw this rose April 2003 at Johnson's Nursery in Kensington, Maryland and the fragrance just about knocked me down! The complex scent DID NOT smell like myrrh but was instead an intoxicating blend of Damask, Tea Rose and fresh citrus. YUM!!! The HUGE, perfectly formed flowers appear singly on long stems suitable for cutting. Like I just wrote the flower form is perfect and changes a good bit. It first starts out globular like a big round ball then s-l-o-w-l-y opens and quarters into an extremely large dazzling bloom. Vase life is very good and you can expect a bloom to last up to week provided you cut the stems again under water after harvesting. Color is unreal it is so beautiful and reminds me of the subliminal hues that we associate with the classic Noisette Gloire de Dijon. Think pale beigy yellow with pink tints on the buds. In terms of color development placement is everything with this rose. He needs a good bit of direct sunlight to develop past that beige/pink stage. If he gets at least 6 hours of direct the bloom will develop a handsome good clear yellow color in the center before fading to a softer tone that looks exactly like antique lace. Trust me the combination of soft antiqued yellow (aged laced), translucent silky petals, PERFECT full quartered form, HUGE size and INTOXICATING fragrance is a killer. This is a rose connoisseur? rose. Repeat bloom is top notch. As of 7/17/03 he completed his second flush and was working on a third - remarkable. Growth habit ain't bad either. Charles Darwin grows to 4-5 feet tall then gracefully arches outward to form a lovely mound. Unfortunately Charles Darwin has one but severe fault: disease resistance sucks. This was the most disease prone acquisition of 2003. At first he showed considerable resistance to black spot but then succumbed to the fungus. Of the two bushes I have one completely defoliated (but made a comeback). The other looked good but only because I consistently sprayed it with fungicides. I'm lazy with my spraying and like to go 3-4 weeks between applications but not with this sensitive lad. Folks, you will have to spray EVERY WEEK if you want to keep the foliage clean. And to add insult to injury this Austin is prone to powdery mildew too. Like I said if you want to enjoy Charles you've got to be prepared to spray-spray-spray. Honestly I'm gonna hold onto him because of the seductively handsome fragrant blooms but this is not a rose for a novice or a no spray garden. Winter hardy to zone 6.

CHRYSLER IMPERIAL (Hybrid Tea, Charlotte Armstrong x Mirandy, 1952) ?dark red. Personally I think this Hybrid Tea has been surpassed by its progeny MR. LINCOLN and OKLAHOMA, but it still remains a good choice for a fragrant red rose in areas that get the consistent summer heat and humidity (the south eastern United States) needed to stabilize its color. Otherwise it blues turning burgundy rather than the rich red preferred by most rosarians. On the plus side it did win the prestigious Gamble Fragrance Award and repeat bloom is very good. Petal substance isn? bad either so it lasts a long time in the vase. Winter hardy to zone 7.*

CLEMENTINA CARBONIERI (Tea, Kaiserin Auguste Vicktoria x Souvenir de Catherine Guillot, 1913) ?coral blend. Many rosarians often wonder just where did the Hybrid Teas get their intense "hot" coloring. The answer is the Teas. While the Hybrid Perpetuals had deep true red it is the Teas that came with soft shades of yellow and peach. Through selective breeding these color characteristics have been intensified to create the bright hues that we take for granted among the exhibition HTs. Clementina Carbonieri is a perfect example of such a forerunner rose. It produces smallish blooms that are a luminous blend of apricot, coral pink, and lemon yellow. Not to be outdone is the sharp, sweet Tea rose fragrance that has a very strong presence. Flowers are cupped at first but open into loose pompons. Like many Teas this cultivar isn? troubled by black spot and blooms tend to hold up acceptably by HT standards. The growth habit is at first short and delicate but slowly builds up strength to a maximum mature shrub of 4 to 5 feet tall. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by gginob and Jean in TN.

CLOTHILDE SOUPERT (Polyantha, Mignonette x Madame Damaizin, 1899) ?blush white with soft pink center. I?e been lusting after this ethereal rose ever since Jean in TN posted pictures on the Rose Gallery. Adding fuel to the fire is a reputation for being the most fragrant cultivar within the Polyantha class. Grrrrrrrrr!!! Here is what I like about Clothilde: the small globular buds look like tiny cabbages before opening into delicate quartered blooms that are porcelain white blushed rosy pink at the center. Fragrance is powerful and has the ability to waft on the breeze. The perfume is achingly sweet with a spicy aftertaste like fresh ground pepper. Flowers tend to ball in cool, wet weather but this is really only a problem in the Pacific Northwest. Growth habit is low and bushy, to about 3 feet tall. Now for the best part: Disease resistance is top notch making Clothilde suitable for no spray gardens. I simply cannot think of a better rose for a cottage garden. An excellent repeat bloomer, she is also available as a vigorous climber. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Jean in TN.

COLONIAL WHITE (See Sombreuil)

COMMON MOSS (Moss, 1700) ?pure pastel pink. Common moss is a sport of the original Centifolia rose and is itself the progenitor of the Moss rose class. Still considered the best Moss rose, the fragrance is an unusual blend of classic rose and the herbal scent released by the mossy growth. Old Garden Rose flower form is ravishing with a central button eye. What I like most about Common Moss is the texture of mossy growth. In most of the newer Damask/Moss/China hybrids the moss is hard and prickly, but CM? moss is soft and velvety. The medium growth habit makes it easy to place in the garden. The foliage is extremely resistant to black spot but needs protection against powdery mildew. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming yet still a must have rose.

COMPASSION (Climbing Hybrid Tea, 1957) ?salmon pink. Very good as a pillar rose but can also be pruned into a tall lax shrub. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Three Swans.

COMPT DE CHAMBOURD (Portland, Baronne Prevost x unknown Portland rose, 1860) ?medium lilac pink. CdC? intense fragrance is a favorite of several folks on the Antique Rose Forum. In addition to being very powerful the fragrance is also extremely complex. Sure Damask is there but so are fruit, spice, and a myrid of other scents blended into a sensory cocktail that is sure to ensnare the senses. CdC is a parent of the famous English rose

GERTRUDE JEKYLL. While I prefer Gertie? better formed and richer pink blooms, CdC has a much better shrub, which is more manageable in height than Gertie, forming a neat 3 to 5 foot shrub. Be forewarned that Compt is prone to black spot so be prepared to spray every 10 days with fungicides if you grow it. Winter hardy to zone 4.

COMTESSE DE PROVENCE (Romantica/Hybrid Tea) ?coral pink. Sherri in desert CA says this rose is more fragrant than Sharifa Asma which is great praise indeed! The fragrance is described as fruity and redolent of apricots. Flower form is quartered. Growth habit is tall and bushy, not like a Hybrid Tea. Winter hardy to zone 7. Comtesse de Provence has edged out Rouge Royale as Kristi? favorite rose?nough said.

COMTESSE DE TURENNE (a.k.a. Mme. Wagram, Tea, unknown parentage, 1894) ?light pink. Approximately 3-4 inch diameter light pink bloom starts out with perfect high centered Hybrid Tea form then end up quartered like an Old Garden Rose (OGR). This rose is notable for its black spot resistance. In Houston TX it had no sign of BS or any kind of disease or pest. The repeat bloom is continuous and strong. Fragrance is to die for. Estimated dimension for the mature bush is 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Malmaison.

CONSTANCE SPRY (Austin, 1961) ?clear pink. This is the grand momma of all the David Austin English Roses as it set a standard for what he wanted and is the ancestor of the line (with the exception of red Austins, which can be traced back to a cross of Dusky Maiden and Tuscany Superb). Ever wonder where those Austins got that weird myrrh fragrance? Well you can blame Constance. Her magnificent, deeply cupped, large blooms are positively dripping with myrrh. Bushes are HUGE, growing upwards to 12?tall, and can serve double duty as low ramblers. Sadly, Constance blooms only once during the growing season.

CRAMOISI SUPERIEUR (China, seedling of Slater? Crimson China, 1832) ?red blend. This classic china has small cupped cerise pink blooms with a silvery reverse that "suntan" to a bright crimson red. The fragrance has been described as highly spicy with fruity top note on a peppery base. This is a wonderful red rose for no spray gardens in warm climate zones as it gets minimal black spot. Growth habit is bushy with thin twiggy canes that will over time build up to a 5 foot tall shrub if they are not harshly pruned. Winter hardy to zone 7. There is climbing version that is can get quite large. Recommended by Jean in TN.

CRESSIDA (Austin, 1985) ?buff apricot blend. The fragrance is very complex as some say myrrh and some say fruit, very likable regardless. This cultivar makes a fine pillar or climbing rose. The blooms are so beautiful they must be seen to be believed. If you?e ever been frustrated at Gloire de Dijon because you couldn? grow it in your zone 5 garden then this is the rose for you (the flower form and color is similar). Winter hardy to zone 4b. Recommended by Qtee and one of her favorites.

DARLOW? ENIGMA (Hybrid Musk, unknown parentage, 1993) ?pure white. The single to semi-double blooms look like a wild rose but with the added advantage of repeat bloom. Fragrance is strong and sweet. The shade tolerant shrub grows to medium heights in cool climates and into a climber in warmer climes. Wicked thorns make it an excellent guard rose. Winter hardy to zone 4.

DESIREE PARMENTIER (Gallica, unknown parentage, 1848) ?vibrant medium pink. Among the Gallica roses I have listed this cultivar is rated the highest for fragrance. The flower? perfume is an interesting blend of rich smooth Damask and spicy pepper. Growth habit is bit unorthodox for a Gallica (it is probably another Gallica hybrid) as it is capable of climbing up to 10 feet in height. The foliage is very disease resistant (no surprise there) and it thrives on little attention. Basically a beautiful, carefree rose. Flower form is flattened into a circular disk containing well over 100 petals surrounding a button eye. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Paul Barden.

DESPREZ A FLEUR JAUNE (See Jaune Desprez)

DOLLY PARTON (Hybrid Tea, 1985) ?garish orange red. The sharp and intense tea rose fragrance is a must have for those who like the color vermillion. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Craig D.

DOUBLE DELIGHT (Hybrid Tea, 1977) ?creamy white swirled with strawberry red. In my mind Double Delight represents everything that is good and bad with Hybrid Teas. First the good. Double Delight is a stunning rose that combines creamy white with vivid strawberry red tipping. The name of the rose is very appropriate: "Double" indicates its beautiful two-toned colors and the fact that it is powerfully fragrant. Parented by Granada x Garden Party, Double Delight has both visual and olfactory appeal. The blooms contain 30-45 petals, and are large ?typically 5 to 6 inches across. Flowers are high centered and of exhibition quality. The amount of red in the petals seems to be vary based upon weather conditions, the amount of sunlight bathing the rose, and the age of the blooms (older blooms appear to contain more red). As a result, no two blooms are ever exactly alike. Fully formed, blossoms are so beautiful that they must be-seen-to-be believed, photographs simply cannot do them justice. The bush will usually grow to about 4 feet, providing nice, long stems for cutting. As mentioned earlier, fragrance is outstanding and one small spray is enough to perfume an entire room. Double Delight? strong and highly spicy scent has won a variety of awards, including the coveting James Alexander Gamble medal for Fragrance in 1986. Repeat bloom is top notch putting many Floribundas to shame. Plus, it can be found in any garden center. Now the bad. Disease resistance sucks. In particular black spot will defoliate the shrub if the foliage isn? sprayed every 10 days with fungicides. It also exhibits an adverse reaction to the fungicide Draconil, so you can? spray it with just any product. Additionally, it lacks vigor and the puny shrub can take up to three years to become established.*

DUC DE GUICHE (Gallica, unknown parentage, 1810) ?crimson, mauve and pink blend. Of the Hybrid Gallicas on my list this one conforms, at least in color, to the standard idea of what a Gallica should look like. The large blooms start out crimson then fade to a marvelous blend of purple and magenta. They are cupped in form and sport a neat, central button eye. Growth habit is 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 foot wide. According to HelpMeFind Roses, in September 1998, the Montreal Botanical Garden (Le Jardin Botanique de Montreal) carried out a survey of its roses' resistance to black spot, powdery mildew and rust. This is one of the outstanding varieties which showed a 0% to 5% infection rate. Only well-established plants were used in the survey. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Lori-elf in MD.

DUCHER (China, unknown parentage, 1869) ?white. Ducher is an interesting China because the small blooms are high centered, which is more typical of the Teas and Hybrid Teas. Growth habit is a bit unusual too as the twiggy canes are more like that of a Polyantha rose. Ducher is also better foliated than a China ought to be. Personally I suspect this rose is a China/Polyantha cross. Regardless of its precise heritage Ducher is a very handsome rose. The growth habit hits the mark right on at 4 feet and is slightly wider than tall (looks great in mixed borders!). Like I said the foliage is lush and cloths the shrub well. As if all this weren? enough the blooms literally cover the shrub in late spring and continue right up till the first frost. Fragrance is strong and peppery. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Jean in TN.

DUCHESSE DE BRABANT (Tea, unknown parentage, 1857) ?pure porcelain pink. This Duchesse has the kind of blooms that make my mouth water; deeply cupped like an Old Garden Rose and richly redolent of the classic Tea scent and ripe strawberries. The color is an ethereal pink that I liken to pink quartz. Sadly I?e read mixed reports on her black spot resistance. However, repeat bloom is continuous so she might be worth a try, especially if you live in an arid climate. If you live inside the beltway in slightly warmer Washington D.C. you must give Duchesse de Brabant a try. She was Roosevelt? "pet" rose. Madame Joseph Schwartz is her blush white sport. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Patricia43 in AL and Jean in TN.

DUCHESSE DE MONTEBELLO (Gallica-China hybrid, unknown parentage, 1824) ?light pink. Here is another unusual Gallica hybrid. Thanks to its China parent it comes in a pure porcelain pink that is a rare color for the normally vibrant Gallicas. In many ways Duchesse de Montebello could serve as a model for what a once blooming Old Garden Rose (OGR) should look like. Flower form is simply perfect. Fat buds open into deeply cupped blooms with the outer petals forming a mathematically perfect circular rim. Inside the silky petals swirl outward from a green button eye. Best of all is the strong fragrance, a heady blend of China sweat pea sweetness and spicy Gallica. Shrubs are also more manageable forming a nicely shaped bush, slightly wider than tall, to a maximum of 4 feet in height. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Paul Barden.

DUCHESSE DE ROHAN (Hybrid Perpetual, unknown parentage, 1847) ?rich rose pink. Blooms are blessed with unbelievable Old Garden Rose form and are dripping with perfume. The fragrance is classic Centifolia (sweet, powerful, and complex), which sometimes gets it misclassified. The shrub is fairly large, reaching up to 5 feet, with a slightly arching growth habit. Winter hardy to zone 5. Paul Barden? favorite fragrant rose.

EGLANTYNE (Austin, unknown seedling x Mary Rose, 1994) ?clear porcelain pink. I smelled this rose at a garden center two years ago and have been obsessing about it ever since. The scent was simply divine. It was very sweet and didn? smell the least bit like myrrh. The flower itself is no slouch. Simply put, she is one of the most beautiful Austins I?e ever seen. The flower form is perfectly quartered and the color is this incredibly pure pink that has a translucent quality that reminds me of the pink color seen in Italian porcelain roses. Sadly it has the infamous Austin "Jolly Green Giant" growth habit so if you want it to perform properly either hard prune or peg it. Eglantyne is David Austin? favorite rose. Winter hardy to zone 5.

ETOILE DE LYON (Tea, seedling of Madame Charles, 1881) ?pale golden yellow. I like to think of Etoile de Lyon as a paler version of Lady Hillingdon. The exact color is buff yellow fading to creamy white. Buds are high centered but open into extremely full blooms with pointed petals that gives the overall impression of a fragrant dahlia. The blooms a slight tendency to nod on slender stems. The fragrance is strong and sweet. Etoile de Lyon is more vigorous than Lady Hillingdon, reaching a mature height of 6 feet tall in a zone 7 garden. Jean in TN says this rose is disease resistant but a few folks in Texas reported that it was a black disaster and had balling problems. Maybe it just likes the state of Tennessee better? Recommended by Jean in TN.

EUGENE DE BEAUHARNAIS (China Hybrid, 1838) ?rich crimson purple. Eugene has a wonderful fragrance, some winter hardiness and the ability to bloom in part shade, but the trade off is its vulnerability to black spot in hot, humid climes. It forms a neat shrub to about 3 feet high. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by unknown forum member.

FAIR BIANCA (Austin, 1982) ?alabaster white with green button eye. Fair Bianca is in my opinion the most underrated Austin rose and I? pleased to see that David Austin has finally started to promote her more (instead of pushing Glamis Castle as his best white rose). Let? look at the differences. While GC certainly is handsome his fragrance cannot hold a candle to Fair Bianca?. Besides Miss Bianca? flower form is just as good, if not better, than GC. She kinda reminds me of a repeat blooming Madame Hardy because her blooms have petals that swirl around a green button eye. And the fragrance! Uh-la-la- if you want to cut your teeth on a myrrh scented rose than this is the one to try. The strong yet soft fragrance smells like a blend of your grandma? face cream and baby powder. The growth habit is a bit unusual and is probably what got her in trouble with Mr. Austin in the first place. The shrub is short with open "airy" growth that reminds me of a China rose. Here in the states this isn? a problem because such growth habits make her perfect for small gardens and containers. Disease resistance is good if not exceptional which means that clean foliage is obtainable with infrequent spraying. She is shade tolerant too. Now if only David Austin would offer Fair Bianca as a standard! That way we could bring those ravishingly beautiful blooms up to nose level. Winter hardy to zone 5.*

FLORENCE DELATTRE (Generosa, 1997) ?mauve tinted silvery lavender. Here is what 11pnut in NTX has to say about it, "ah, the keeper, Florence de Lattre...only one of her...the color varies, that does not bother me, and the scent is fabulous and no sign so far of Rose Mosaic Virus (RMV) ...pale lavender. can smell her from 10 feet away, long canes but arching and manageable...mmmm"

FRAGRANT CLOUD (Hybrid Tea, 1957) ?coral red with silver tones. This is an absolutely ugly rose but I can? knock the powerful and penetrating fragrance. Considered by many rosarians to be the most fragrant Hybrid Tea. Most fragrant or not, the orange color has a gray (yes gray!) tone that absolutely kills its vibrancy. Trust me you don? want to put this one under florescent lights ?YUCK!!! Winter hardy to zone 7.

FRANCIS DUBRUIEL (Tea, 1894) ?dark true red. FD is in my opinion the very best red Old Garden Rose. It has many merits including true red color that resists fading and intoxicating fragrance. The short and twiggy growth habit is perfect for container culture. It is also one of the most winter hardy Teas surviving up to zone 7 without protection. Recommended by Jean in TN.

FREDERIC MISTRAL (Romantica, Perfume Delight x Prima Ballerina, 1995) ?light cool pink. Here is another "reproduction rose". What set it apart is the very strong citrus fragrance that is of consistent strength throughout the day (this is rare as most rose fragrances wax and wane depending on the time of day). Another big plus is the repeat bloom, said to be better than the average David Austin Rose and able to compete with best Hybrid Teas. Flower form is high centered at first opening to a full bloom that is more like an Old Garden Rose in character. Growth habit is tall and upright, easily to 6 feet or more. Disease resistance is no better than your typical Hybrid Tea so keep the sprayer on hand. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Cactus Joe.

FRENCH PERFUME (Hybrid Tea, 1993) ?pink and yellow blend. Pictures of French Perfume will make your mouth water they are so lovely. If you?e ever been disappointed by Peace? lack of fragrance than this is the rose for you. The fragrance has been likened to sweet pound cake! The upright shrub grows to medium height. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Kristie

GERTRUDE JEKYLL (Austin, 1986) ?pure rose pink. A recent lab study has proclaimed this English Rose the most fragrant rose in the world and I believe it! The fragrance is my absolute favorite among the Austin roses. In a nut shell it is PERFECT; sweet, piercing, and thankfully, doesn? smell like myrrh. The flower form is breathtaking, flat and quartered with perfectly arranged petals within. This has got to be the pinkest rose I?e ever seen ?in the sunlight it literally glows. Unfortunately "Galloping Gertie" has the Jolly Green Giant in a big way, so either peg or hard prune it. She also has mean thorns, but who cares?! This is a must have rose for the fragrance alone! Winter hardy to zone 5.

GILBERT NABBONAND (Tea, unknown parentage, 1888) ?pale coral pink. Semi-double flower form. Strong Tea rose fragrance. Medium upright shrub. Winter Hardy to zone 8. Recommended by gginob.

GOLDEN CELEBRATION (Austin, Charles Austin x Abraham Darby, 1992) ?deep golden yellow. Graham Thomas may be more popular but Golden Celebration has better fragrance, flower form, color, repeat bloom and growth habit. Its only fault is a susceptibility to black spot in hot and humid climates. However, I?e read nothing but raves about it from folks in California so if you live where your summers are dry then this would be a good choice for a fragrant yellow rose. The bush is medium to tall in height and the canes arch gracefully. Winter hardy to zone 5.

GRANADA (Hybrid Tea, Tiffany x Cavalcade, 1963) ?luminous yellow, orange and scarlet tricolor blended with pink. I? very picky when it concerns orange and orange blend roses. Generally I hate the fragrant oranges because they almost always have a mauve cast to them which kills the vibrancy of the color. Granada is an exception. All I can say about this rose is WOW!!! The colors are a kaleidoscopic blend of hot hues that always seem bright and cheerful (and the pink tones take the edge off so it? never garish). Blooms are small but pack a wallop with their strong fragrance. Another wafter as you can smell this rose up to 10 feet away. Winter hardy to zone 7.

GUINEE (Climbing Hybrid Tea, 1939) ?dark red shaded black. This is the rose that bumped Don Juan right off my list into the honorable mention section. Quinee has a couple of improvements over Don Juan. First and most importantly the fragrance is both stronger and more consistent. Second, Guinee is winter hardy to zone 6 (5 in a protected location) whereas Don Juan doesn? perform well north of zone 8 (might as well classify the thing as a climbing Tea). The color and flower form are just as good: high centered and dark velvety red that resists fading or bluing.

GUY DE MAUPUSSANT (Romantica, MEIturaphar x Mrs. John Laing, 1996) ?medium shell pink. The very strong, fruity apple-like fragrance is want puts this Romantica rose on the map. It blooms in clusters like a Grandiflora but the flowers are shaped like Old Garden Roses. A tall upright grower it can reach up to 9 feet. In warm climate zones (8 and above) it would probably make an excellent climber. Disease resistance is probably better than the typical Austin but I would still spray it if I were you. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Patricia43 in z8 AL.

HALLOWEEN (Hybrid Tea, 1962) ?pumpkin orange. You just gotta love the name! Although a Hybrid Tea the blooms have Old Garden Rose flower form and fragrance. A must have for those who like orange roses. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by epiphany.

HANSA (Hybrid Rugosa, 1905) ?rich magenta. I?e never grown this rose because the loose, formless flower isn? my cup of tea. However, I?e seen it recommended time and again for its intense clove-like scent. Other good traits include bullet proof foliage (suitable for no spray gardens) and wicked thorns that make it a superb guard rose. The color isn? bad either; a rich purplish red the color of fine burgundy wine. Hansa is best suited as a landscape rose as the growth habit is tall (from 6 to 10 feet) and spreading. Winter hardy to zone 3.

HAPPY CHILD (Austin, 1993) ?bright yellow. I? always on the lookout for fragrant yellow roses and this one is purported to have a better fragrance than Molineux. Given that I absolutely adore Molineux? fresh scent I had to add it to the list. Happy Child also has other merits worth mentioning. For starters the color purity is the best among the yellow Austins. The bright yellow hue has no orange or green tones. Additionally, the cupped Old Garden Rose flower form is exceptional and more intricate than Molineux? pom-pom. The shrub is also compact in size so it should fit in any garden and would do well in a container or grafted as a tree rose. So far I?e heard that it only has three faults. It isn? as winter hardy as most Austins, it sometimes lacks vigor and the brilliant color will fade to pale yellowish white at the end of the blooms vase life. Obviously this is a rose that appreciates high culture. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by unknown forum member.

HARRISON? YELLOW (Hybrid Foetida, Persian Yellow x R. spinosissima, 1824) ?bright buttercup yellow. Flower form is loosed and cupped. Every year on The Antique Rose Forum we get asked by newbie Texans what rose is the official "Yellow Rose of Texas". The answer is none as the song is named after a woman. However, when asked to nominate a yellow rose for that high honor Harrison? Yellow always receives the most nominations as it is commonly found in old homesteads across the state. This is the rose whose cuttings were carried in old tin cans by homesteaders in covered wagons. As you might guess it is a tough plant that forms dense thickets of briar roses (hence it? nickname "Yellow Sweatbriar Rose"). Harrison? Yellow is also recommended because it is the only yellow rose I know of that can survive a zone 3 winter. As for the fragrance ?well it certainly is unusual. Blooms smell like a blend of sweet cooked applies and rotten eggs. Yes you heard me right ?ROTTEN EGGS! It gets the sulfurous aroma from its Persian Yellow parent. Fortunately, same lucky people (like Clair Martin who wrote "100 Old Roses for the American Garden") can? smell this rotten scent. If you are one of these people you would be hard pressed to find a tougher yellow rose. Many antiquated rosarians will say that Harison? Yellow is prone to black spot but the experience of most gardeners who have grown it is that it resists the disease far better than most modern roses. Winter hardy to zone 3. Once blooming.

HEIRLOOM (Hybrid Tea, 1972) ?dark mauve blend that comes very close to true purple. Like most mauve roses it has a strong, sweet scent. The medium, bushy growth habit is an added plus. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by WkendWarrior.

HERITAGE (Austin, unknown seedling x Iceberg, 1984) ?shell pink. This used to be David Austin? favorite English Rose until EGLANTYNE edged it out. Bad choice David! If there is room for only one Austin in your garden then this is the one you want. She has everything, great fragrance, good rebloom, decent disease resistance, and fantastically beautiful cupped flowers on an easy to grow bush. The fragrance is exceptional. Sharp and sweet like an Alba rose but with a touch of lemon ?YUM!!! Growth habit is tall with gracefully arching canes. Due to her Iceberg ancestry Heritage has few thorns and is shade tolerant to boot. In terms of disease resistance Heritage does extremely well in the disease prone Southeast, but appears to have a problem with black spot in the cool wet climate of the Pacific Northwest. I know this sounds crazy but it comes from a source I highly respect. As an interesting side note HERITAGE has a white sport called ROSE-MARIE that should become widely available in 2004/5. Winter hardy to zone 5.

INTRIQUE (Floribunda, 1982) ?rich reddish purple. Growth habit is short and spreading. Like most Floribundas repeat bloom is terrific. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by several forum members.

JARDINS DE BAGATELLE (Hybrid Tea, 1986) ?creamy white edged pale pink. Typical tall, upright Hybrid Tea growth habit. Named after the famous Bagatelle Gardens in Paris, France. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by several forum members.

JACQUES CARTIER (Portland, 1868) ?light pink. Blooms are pom-pom shaped and have a strong Damask fragrance. This classic Portland comes highly recommended by several forum members (most especially predfern and Paul Barden). The tall shapely shrub is covered in dark green, disease resistant foliage that is suitable for a no spray garden. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Predfern.

JAUNE DESPREZ (also Desprez a Fleur Jaune, Noisette, 1830) ?buff apricot. I?e held off including this cultivar because I try to avoid redundancy in this list and Jaune Desprez is very similar to Gloire de Dijon in color, flower form, and climbing habit. Besides the blooms are smaller and I like big flowers. However, here is what Jean in TN had to say about it: "Jaune Desprez and Gloire de Dijon are worlds apart. Jaune is way less double in form. Gloire is petal packed. Rest easy, you can recommend them because they are very very different. The fragrance on Jaune is much stronger as well." OKaaaaay Jean, you?e sold me! I?e also read that its repeat bloom and disease resistance is better. I couldn? find any winter hardiness indicators but I think it should be safe in zones 7 and warmer. Recommended by Jean in TN.

JAYNE AUSTIN (Austin, 1993) ?buff yellow tinted golden apricot. Another unusually scented Austin, the fragrance is a blend of strong Tea rose and phenol. I thought Buff Beauty was the ultimate Noisette look-a-like suitable for cooler zones until I read the description of this ravishingly beautiful English Rose. The Old Garden Rose flower form is absolutely perfect. The tall shrub is extremely vigorous and can be grown as a low climber. It also roots very easily and grows like a weed when not grafted. The foliage is said to be extremely disease resistant and suitable for no spray gardens. Don? miss this one! Winter hardy all the way up to zone 4b. Recommended by RideauRoseLad.

JULES GRAVEREAU (see Triomphe de Luxembourg)

JUDE THE OBSCURE (Austin, 1995) ?pale apricot yellow. My opinion of this rose has improved ever since I got a chance to smell it in the spring of 2003. Let me tell you the fragrance is absolutely wonderful! It is very strong with a rich and fruity character; thought to be one of the best fragrances within the Austin line. The fragrance also has the ability to carry for a distance on the air. While the color isn? my cup of tea (I like more brightly colored yellows) it is very popular with those who have soft color gardens. If you like the globular flower form than this is the rose for you. Blooms are so deeply cupped the buds look like balls. As you might guess balling can be a problem in climates that have cool wet summers like the Pacific Northwest. In areas that get enough summer heat the blooms usually don? have any problem opening up. Jude the Obscure is also said to be one of the most disease resistant Austins. In dry climates it would probably do just fine in no spray gardens. Here in the humid east it benefits from an infrequent spray problem. Perhaps once every three or four weeks should be enough to keep the foliage clean of black spot. Growth habit is superb. JtO forms a nicely shaped short to medium bushy shrub. It is a particularly fine choice for standards (tree roses), container culture and small gardens. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Jean in TN.

JUST JOEY (Hybrid Tea, 1972) ?clear apricot. Just Joey is an atypical Hybrid Tea that would do extremely well in a cottage garden combined with Old Garden Roses or Austins. Growth habit is a dream. He is very petite, with China rose like "airy" canes topped by exotic looking ruffled blooms in a beautiful shade of clear apricot. The fresh fragrance is strong and delightful. I highly recommend this rose for anyone who wants an exceptional apricot colored rose suitable for growing in a container. Winter hardy to zone 7.*

KATHERINE ZEIMET (Polyantha, 1901) ?creamy white tinted pale yellow at the petal bases. Strongly fragrant Polyanthas are rare so when I heard of this sunny gem I immediately added it to my list. A childe of the remarkable Marie Pavie, this cultivar is blessed with a strong and sweet fragrance. Growth habit is compact, to 2x2 feet, and could just as easily be considered a miniature rose. The attractive foliage is dense and lush. Disease resistance is top notch so Katherine is suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 4 if grown on her own roots. Recommended by Luanne.

LA VILLE DE BRUXELLES (Damask, 1849) ?clear pink. Any rose named after the capital of Belgium must be exceptional and this one certainly is. The clear pink blooms are perfectly formed and highly fragrant. The vigorous plant is tough; forming a large arching shrub that requires little supplemental water after the bloom period is done. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Reg PNW7.

LADY HILLINGDON (Tea, 1910) ?egg yolk yellow. Good yellow roses are extremely rare among the Old Garden Roses and this one is in my opinion the best. The strong and fresh scent is the very definition of the classic Tea Rose fragrance. Her flowers are high centered like a Hybrid Tea and the soft color is never hard on the eyes. Growth habit is typical Tea Rose, slow growing and densely twiggy to about 3 to 4 feet in height. Like many Teas, the disease resistance of the reddish foliage is extremely good making her suitable for no spray gardens. There is a climbing version that is rated even higher because the nodding blooms are a positive asset when viewed from below. Winter hardy to zone 6b.

LAGERFELD (Grandiflora, 1986) ?silvery lavender. This is my favorite lavender (as opposed to mauve) rose. I planted it in my mother? rose garden after fighting a loosing battle with Sterling Silver and it has never disappointed us since. In every way Lagerfeld is your classic Grandiflora as laid down by the American Rose Society guidelines. It forms a very tall (to 6+ feet), upright shrub that blooms in clusters on loooooong stems suitable for cutting. The blooms are absolutely 100% perfect in terms of exhibition quality flower form. I cannot stress this enough as Lagerfeld might shock some folks not used to extremely prissy high centered roses. The color is downright otherworldly ?a pale bluish lavender with a silvery sheen. Trust me, this rose looks AMAZING during the twilight hours and would be a wonderful choice for a night blooming garden. Lest you think this is the perfect rose I do need to let you in on a few growing tricks. Lagerfeld seems to have a good dose of Tea Rose in its genetic background because the large blooms have a tendency a nod on long twiggy stems when the plant is stressed. This fault is correctible. You simply need to keep it well watered/feed during the summer months. Hard pruning after each bloom cycle will encourage thicker stronger stems. Also, this rose does better if grafted rather than grown on its own roots. Disease resistance is typical for a Grandiflora which means it is non existent and the foliage will need spraying with fungicides every 10 days to keep black spot at bay. Of course I have left the best for last ?THE OH MY GOD IT IS INCREDIBLE FRAGRANCE!!! I don? care what time of day you sniff it the assertive perfume is always there and gloriously complex. Winter hardy to zone 6.*

LAMARQUE (Noisette, Blush Noisette x Parks Yellow China, 1830) ?pale yellow fading to white. A classic climber for warm climates, Lamarque produces cupped white blossoms tinted yellow at the center. As the blooms open they turn glistening white. The Tea rose fragrance, with a twist of citrus, is strong from start to finish. In zones 7-10 the vigor is outstanding easily reaching 12 feet or more. The medium green foliage shows good disease resistance although reports of black sport aren? unheard of. Winter hardy to zone 6b. Recommended by LPlantagenet.

LAVENDER LASSIE (Hybrid Musk, 1960) ?orchid pink. Perhaps one of the most popular Hybrid Musks, Lavender Lassie forms a tall arching monster of a shrub that will just as easily climb if grown in 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. It will also tolerate some shade getting by on 4 hours of direct. Don? let the catchy name fool you, "Lavender" Lassie is not lavender but instead a cool pink. This is the rose you often see growing up a birdhouse in those Garden Shed magazines. It also looks wonderful growing next to the apricot yellow Buff Beauty. Disease resistance is good so it is worth trying in a no spray garden. The strong Damask like fragrance has a musky top note that is wonderfully appealing. Winter hardy to zone 6.

LEMON SPICE (Hybrid Tea, 1966) ?pastel yellow tinted pale pink. Here is what Caroline in SolCal has to say about it "Introduced in 1966 by Armstrong & Swim Lemon Spice is a beautiful pastel yellow Hybrid Tea with a strong citrusy-damask fragrance. The inner center of the rose is a deep luminous lemony yellow that blends out to a soft pastel yellow on the outer petals. Occasionally some plants will have a bloom with a slight tinge of pink--especially in cooler weather, but primarily the rose is a solid pastel yellow. The scent is what makes this rose a must-have! 2 or 3 blooms in a vase will perfume an entire room. I have two Lemon Spices planted right next to each other along a brick path, and the fragrance positively wafts out at passers-by. I grow many of the "popular" fragrant roses, but this is the one whose fragrance nearly everyone comments on when they visit my garden...it is that wonderful. As I reported before, Vintage Roses says that LS "deserves an award for fragrance, but has never been recognized." The plant itself grows to be about 4'High by 4'Wide in an upright fashion. The blooms can be very prolific on this bush...flushes are often 2 to 3 dozen at a time. (Pure Heaven!)Rated for zones 4 on up. Disease resistance here in Southern Cal is good, and plants stay clean even along the coast with little to no spraying. A grower in Florida says the same thing, so it seems to be able to handle humidity as well." How can you possibly resist?

L?NGENUE (Gallica, unknown parentage, 1848) ?creamy white. This unusual Gallica (most are deeply colored not white) has perfectly shaped, quartered blooms with a green button eye. In many ways it is very much like the classic Damask Madame Hardy but with a more consistent fragrance, which is described as a blend of Alba and Damask. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by Paparoseman in z8 WA.

LOUIS PHILLIPPE (China, 1834) ?red blend. This is what Petra in Texas has to say about it. "It grows approx. 5 - 6 feet tall and 3 - 4 feet wide. It has a neat, full, shrubby growth, small, glossy green leaves, and medium-sized, full, red, cupped fragrant flowers. The fruity scent is a little like cherries. Very disease-resistant, and covered in buds and blooms from spring until the first frost. In this climate, February and March were the only months it didn't bloom." Winter hardy to zone 7.

LOUIS XIV (China, 1859) ?dark red. This unusual China has blood red blooms that are near black. The flowers have classic tight spiral buds, which tells me that a Tea rose is lurking somewhere behind the genetic woodpile. The fragrance is very strong and smells like Damask. Shrubs are as wide as they are tall, topping out at 3 feet. Unlike many Chinas this cultivar will get black spot, although the severity has been described as moderate. He also appreciates a bit of afternoon shade to keep those dark blooms from frying in the sun. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Jean.

MADAME ALFRED CARRIER (Noisette, 1879) ?blush white. When folks on the forum ask for an outstanding fragrant white climber this Noisette is always one of the top two that gets recommended. Personally I don? care for it because of the blooms loose petal arrangement but I? be a fool not to include it here because of its great popularity. My prejudice aside the fragrance is said to rival Blush Noisette as the best scent within the Noisette class so it is definitely worth a try. Madame is a vigorous, shade tolerant climber. Disease resistance is very good so she is suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 6.

MADAME DE LA ROCHE LAMBERT (Moss, 1851) ?crimson tinted magenta and purple. This beautiful moss rose has big globular buds opening into deeply cupped blooms that reflex into a domed rosette around a central button eye. The fragrance is potent, a strong Damask scent that we expect from crimson roses but don? always get. Mossing is good, covering all the stem parts. I have no information on whether the moss is soft or prickly but given that it repeats I expect it to be rather sharp. The growth habit forms a well shaped shrub to 4 feet tall and almost as wide. The foliage is small and dense so this rose should do very well as a landscape plant. Disease resistance is very good unless your region has a problem with powdery mildew (not a problem here in the east). Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by KenSoCal and trospero.

MADAME ISAAC PERIERE (Bourbon, 1889) ?raspberry pink. Prior to the introduction of Gertrude Jekyll this rose was considered the most fragrant rose in the world. It? still worth trying today because of the large buxom blooms, hot pink flushed magenta coloring and intoxicating fragrance. The fragrance is extraordinary and capable of wafting great distances. Think of the perfume as an intense blend of softly sweet Damask blended with fruity aromas. Form is cupped at first then quartering, sometimes around a button eye. The bush is just as exuberant as the festive blooms. It forms a tall lanky shrub that thinks it wants to climb. However, I wouldn? let it climb if I were you. Being a Bourbon she will repeat but does best with pegging rather than letting the awkward shrub have its way and sprawling all over the place. Unfortunately the foliage gets afflicted with black spot fairly easily but responds quickly to applications of fungicides so she definitely is worth trying if you are willing to commit to a spray routine. Madame Ernst Calvat is a light pink sport of this rose and is similar in every way except color. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by several forum members.

MADAME JOSEPH SWARTZ (see Duchesse de Brabant)

MADAME WAGRAM (see Comtesse de Turenne)

MAGGIE (Bourbon, unknown parentage, 1980) ?cherry red fading to hot pink. Dr. William Welch discovered this rose growing on a Louisiana plantation and named it after his mother-in-law. The spicy fragrance is very unusual for a Bourbon rose. Most Bourbons are a blend of Damask, Tea and China rose. Maggie smells like a blend of Tea rose, pepper and fruit. I suppose you could liken it to Double Delight. Growth habit is tall with long arching canes that can be trained as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Rosebud.

MARECHAL NIEL (Noisette, 1864) ?clear yellow. Until relatively recently a disease free, vigorous specimen of this cultivar wasn? available. We can thank the Rose Rustlers of Texas for this bountiful rose. THANK YOU!!! Oh do I have rose envy regarding Marechal Niel! Being someone who appreciates strongly fragrant yellow roses I?e wanted this Tea-Noisette for years but can? grow it in my zone. If you live in zone 7b and warmer get this rose! It is GORGEOUS!!! Buds are high centered like a Hybrid Tea then open fully into hunky blooms chock full of petals. The mature blossom has a starry outline that is extremely appealing. The strong fragrance ain? no slouch either. Think fresh Tea Rose blended with fruity top notes. If I lived in Key West I? definitely have Marechal Niel growing all over my house. It is also a rose of great historical interest as it is one of the first repeat blooming pure yellow roses. Although this cold tender rose can just barely tolerate a zone 7b winter he really only thrives in places with very mild winters and summers that get consistent heat. This is why he doesn? do well in the Pacific Northwest because the summers are too cool. Sub-tropical Florida, the Deep South, and Southern California are the best places for Marechal Niel. It especially thrives in the warmer parts of Texas and always receives my nomination for "The Yellow Rose of Texas" honor. What? more this fabulous Noisette is one of the most disease resistant yellow roses in commerce and is suitable for no spray gardens. The climbing bush is shade tolerant too. Winter hardy to zone 7b.

MARGARET MERRIL (Floribunda, 1977) ?white with blush pink center. The fragrance is sharp and piercing blending Tea Rose and fresh lemon. The medium bushy shrub grows to 4?tall. Sadly, the foliage is prone to black spot in hot, humid climates. So if you live in the South keep that sprayer handy! Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by unknown forum member.

MARIE D?RLEANS (Tea, unknown parentage, 1883) ?hot pink suffused with magenta. The unusual blooms look like starbursts due to the quilled petals. The intense fragrance matches the strong color. Vigor is outstanding for a Tea. Mature shrubs can reach up 6 feet tall. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Bluesibe in 9a NoCa.

MARIE DALY (see Marie Pavie below)

MARIE PAVIE (Polyantha, 1888) ?pink buds opening ivory white. This is quite simply one of the best roses ever hybridized. It has everything: charmingly shaped blooms, strong fragrance, exceptional disease resistant foliage suitable for no spray gardens, neat shrub that forms a 3?4?attractive mound of beauty, continuous repeat bloom, need I say more? The spicy fragrance has a peppery note that is actually very pleasant. Marie Daly is its pink sport. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by practically everyone.

MELODY PARFUMEE (Grandiflora, 1998) ?plum softening to clear lavender. If you liked Angel Face but want something a little taller with improved disease resistance than give this one a try. The blooms are ruffled like Angel Face and are blessed with an intense fragrance. Winter hardy to zone 6.

MEMORIAL DAY (Hybrid Tea, Blueberry Hill x New Zealand, 20040 ?medium pink with a lavender wash. This recent Hybrid Tea has stirred hope in me that the AARS folks are finally beginning to consider strong fragrance as worthy a merit as color and flower form. Memorial is an AARS 2004 winner that produces cool pink blooms blessed with a strong damask fragrance. The flower form is high centered but isn? quite as extreme as say Lagerfeld or other exhibition quality roses. That is not to say I? complaining! The buds are so packed with frilly petals that they have a slightly rounded appearance. Memorial Day is recommended for areas that get enough summer heat to fully open the blooms. I? still keep it sprayed if I were you. I?e heard nothing good (or bad) about its disease resistance. Tall and upright growth habit, slightly more rounded/bushy than the typical Hybrid Tea, to 5 feet in height. Winter hardy to zone 7.

MR. LINCOLN (Hybrid Tea, 1964) ?dark red. When people ask me what my favorite red Hybrid Tea is I always say Mr. Lincoln. Of course I sometimes get the response from other rosarians that Chrysler Imperial is a better rose. Well I have to disagree. Although CI performs better during the hot and humid summers that plaque the east coast of the United States its burgundy red blooms cannot hold a candle to Mr. Lincoln? candy apple red. Now combine that color with a petal texture that resembles crushed red velvet. I know of only two other roses with petals that look like that (Tuscany and Tuscany Superb) and they don? repeat bloom. Fragrance is just as outstanding; a rich and full bodied Damask scent that will knock your socks off. Blooms also look great fully open when the red petals surround a heart of bright yellow stamens. Trust me, Hybrid Teas that look good fully open are rare. Sadly, Mr. Lincoln? color will blue at the very end of its vase life but that is its only fault bloom wise. The bush is vigorous (hard prune if you don? want it to climb), urn shaped and a snap to prune. It does need to be sprayed to prevent black spot but then again so does every other Hybrid Tea I?e ever grown. Winter hardy to zone 7.*

MRS. BENJAMIN R. CANT (Tea, unknown parentage, 1901) ?medium pink with magenta tones. This dowager rose has deeply cupped medium pink blooms that sometimes sport a charming button eye. They are strongly fragrant with a "dry" quality to the perfume typical of the Tea roses. In Maryland her growth habit is slightly wider than tall to about 3 or 4 feet in height. However, put this big old lady in a place like warm Alabama and she?l need as much space as a chevy. MBRC is said to repeat better than most modern roses. Winter hardy to 6b. Recommended by Olga in 6b.

MRS WILLIAM PAUL (Moss, 1869) ?clear pink. The identity of this moss remains in question because the original Mrs. William Paul was a repeat blooming Moss rose and this one isn?. Regardless, it is a very beautiful rose. The pink coloring is remarkably pure and the fragrance redolent of Old Garden Rose. The mossing is very good, completely covering the buds, which releases a balsam scent when rubbed. The growth habit of the shrub is full, upright and very vigorous to 6 feet tall. Disease resistance is very good and the rose is worth trying in a no spray garden. Winter hardy to zone 6. Once blooming. Recommended by Trospero.

NEW DAY (Hybrid Tea, 1977) ?clear yellow. Fragrant yellow Hybrid Teas are rare and hard to find. This one is the best. That doesn? mean it? an easy rose to grow. On the contrary, New Day has annoying growth habits (bushes are asymmetrical), lacks vigor, and repeat isn? as good as one would expect from a Hybrid Tea. On the plus side, the fragrance is strong (typical Tea rose scent), the color purity is top notch and the high centered blooms are florist quality. So if fragrance is a necessity, and if you?e willing to coddle, then give this rose a try. Winter hardy to zone 6.*

NEW ZEALAND (Hybrid Tea, 1981) ?pale warm pink. This is a classic Hybrid Tea that gets recommended again and again by longstanding forum members. The blooms are florist quality and blessed with a strong fragrance. Growth habit is medium to tall with the same stiff upright canes that HTs are known for. New Zealand and its white sport Full Sail are said to be two of the easiest Hybrid Teas to grow with good disease resistance. They might be worth trying in a no spray garden but I wouldn? bet on it. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by several forum members.

NUITS DE YOUNG (Moss, 1845) ?rich purple. The blooms on Nuits de Young are rich purple and have a strong Old Rose fragrance. The shrub is short to medium in height, between 3 to 4 feet tall. I don? know much about this rose other than it is very popular for the true purple color. Too bad because the fragrance is worth mentioning. I? welcome any comments on the flower form, fragrance, growth habits and disease resistance of this cultivar. Recommended by Tsospero. Once blooming. Winter hardy to zone 5

PAPA MEILLAND (Hybrid Tea, 1963) ?dark red. This old time Hybrid Tea has a rich, heavy Damask fragrance that is supposed to be better than either Chrysler Imperial or Mr. Lincoln. Personally I think Chrysler Imperial (better growth habits/repeat) and Mr. Lincoln (richer color and petal texture) are better roses but I? including it here because so many forum members insisted that I add it. Papa Meilland has the same parentage as Mr. Lincoln (Chrysler Imperial x Charles Mallerin). Growth habit is tall and upright. Winter hardy to zone 7.

PAT AUSTIN (Austin, 1995) ?coppery orange. I must say that I really like this rose. It forms a nicely shaped shrub and the blooms are just lovely. They are deeply cupped, almost globular, yet never have a hard time opening. Of course what I really love about Pat Austin is the color. Orange and orange blend roses have a tendency to look harsh in the garden but Pat Austin never does. Blooms are coppery orange suffused with soft coral pink and touches of sunny yellow. YUM!!! Nice fruity fragrance too, which is moderate to strong in presence. Growth habit is bushy reaching up to 5 feet in height. Repeat bloom is very good for an Austin. A lot of people on the forum just adore this rose and it is a fitting tribute to the hybridizer? wife. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Labragh in New York.*

PENNY LANE (Large Flowered Climber, 1998) ?translucent ivory blushed apricot. Advocates of Hybrid Teas and Old Garden Roses never see eye to eye because they constantly disagree, among other things, on what is the most beautiful flower form ?the high centered bud of the HT verses the full buxom bloom of the OGR. Penny Lane pleases everybody. Buds start out high centered like Hybrid Teas then quarter themselves as they fully open like Old Garden Roses. Basically you get the best of the both worlds. Throw in strong fruity fragrance with good climbing growth habits and you have a remarkable rose. Definitely one to add to your wish list for romantic climbers. Winter hardy to zone 5.

PERLE D?R (Polyantha, 1884) ?clear apricot. Perle D?r is a classic Polyantha that belongs in every garden. First it is strongly fragrant (has that typical Polyantha peppery fragrance that is fresh and appealing). Second, true disease resistance makes Perle suitable for no spray gardens. Third, vigor is very good. Basically this is an easy to grow rose. The growth habit is identical to Cecile Brunner; short to medium in height (typically between 3?4?tall) forming a nicely shaped mounded bush. The blooms are quite handsome. They start out high centered in a rich apricot color then open to cheerful ivory pompons tinted dawn pink. With pruning this cultivar would also make a wonderful container rose. There used to be a climbing version but it seems to have disappeared from commerce. Winter hardy to zone 6 but worth trying to zone 5. Recommended by Burntplant.

PERSIAN YELLOW (Species sport, Rosa foetida persiana, 1837) ?bright buttercup yellow. Rosa foetida perisana is a semi-double sport of the single petaled species rose R. foetida. Blooms really do look like buttercups. Too bad they smell like a combination of sulfur, rotten meat, and bad eggs. Enough said. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming.

PINK POODLE (Miniature, 1991) ?cotton candy pink with white center. I am constantly looking for fragrant minis so when I saw this petite beauty I had to add it to the list. The pretty pink blooms look like tiny pincushions and are blessed with a sweet fragrance that resembles sweet peas (it inherited that trait from its parent Old Bush China). Growth habit is pure miniature as the shrub stays under 18" tall (one of my complaints about many miniatures is that while the blooms are tiny the shrubs aren?). I can? think of a better bedding rose for a cottage garden and it will definitely be making an appearance in my backyard very, very soon. Winter hardy to zone 5. Pink Poodle is a favorite of Paul Barden.

PRESIDENT DE SEIZE (Gallica, 1828) ?pink blend. Flowers start out cupped then flatten and quarter into a rich cool pink bloom fading to pale lilac pink on the outer petals. Fragrance is very strong. Growth habit is upright to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Given the flower color and growth habit this is probably a Hybrid Gallica. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Lori-elf in MD.

QUATRE SEASONS (Autumn Damask, ancient) ?clear pink. The strong fragrance is the very definition of the classic damask scent. The blousy blooms aren? my cup of tea but for an "historical interest rose" this is the cultivar of choice as it dates back to the ancient Greek civilization where it was dedicated to Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty. It is also the first repeat blooming rose. However, Quartre Seasons is somewhat of a cruel beauty as she packs some wicked thorns. Recommended by angelsmama.

RADIANCE (Hybrid Tea, 1908) ?medium to deep pink with a light pink reverse. Radiance is an older Hybrid Tea well known for its intense Damask fragrance. The shrub is more shapely than most HTs growing to 5?tall and almost as wide. Also available as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by several forum members.

RADIO TIMES (Austin, 1994) ?rose pink. I think this rose could become the most popular pink English Rose if only David Austin would come to his senses and promote it more to his American consumers. Simply put it is wonderful, stupendous, and gets raves from forum members again and again. The color is an amazingly pure pink without any purple or coral tones. Fragrance is to die for (think classic rose ?NOT myrrh) and competes nicely with that dominatrix of a rose Gertrude Jekyll. Form is lovely, sometimes quartering as it opens around a button eye. The petite shrub reaches the coveted 3-4 foot height requirement that places it in practically every garden. Growth habit is wider than tall so group plantings mass together beautifully. Repeat bloom is so good that it ranks among the top five Austin performers and is every bit as competitive as the most aggressive Floribunda. Winter hardy to zone 5. Radio Times is one of Jean? favorites (that is before the wonderful lawyer either had all the Austins executed or deported out of her garden in favor or more disease resistant cultivars) and Kristie absolutely adores it.

REINE DES VIOLETTES (Hybrid Perpetual, 1860) ?cerise pink deepening to soft purple. Every time somebody places a post on the Antique Rose Forum asking for a good repeat blooming lavender or purple shaded Old Garden Rose Reine des Violettes is always receives the top recommendation. The "Queen of Violets" certainly has many things going for her. Her color for one, a cool rich pink that darkens as it ages to a soft blend of purple and lavender hues. The name is very appropriate as her sweet perfume has been likened to the fragrance of viola odorata, the wild sweet violet related to the common garden pansy. Growth habit is tall and upright. Like many Hybrid Perpetuals, The Queen will easily climb, throwing off long lanky canes that can be trained into a climber. I don? recommend that you do this because Reine des Violettes repeats best when hard pruned. Please be advised that this cultivar? blossoms have an annoying habit of shattering once they fully open. So if you wish to appreciate them indoors cut just as the buds are unfurling. Winter hardy to zone 4.

ROBERT LEOPOLD (Moss, 1941) ?salmon pink blend. Robert Leopold has very large (to 4" across!) blooms blessed with a strong tangy fragrance. Growth habit is tall and mounding to about 6?high and just as wide. I have no information regarding disease resistance but being a repeat blooming moss it will probably need spraying with fungicides to prevent powdery mildew. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by KenSoCal and trospero.

ROSA BANKSIAE BANKSIAE (Species sport) ?pure white. A fully double sport of a wild Asian species rose this cultivar is noted for its blossoms strong fragrance that smells exactly like violets. Given that sweet violet is one natures most beautiful scents this cultivar should definitely have a place in your garden IF you?e got enough room for it. To put it mildly this is a monster rose that will grow to enormous proportions, engulfing everything in its path. I? not kidding. The world? largest rose is a specimen of R. banksiae banksiae growing in Tombstone Arizona. Known as the White Lady Banks Rose it has grown to cover an arbor spanning 8,000 square feet. The central canes growing out of the ground look like tree trunks! Thorns are few and far between. This gigantic rambling shrub is shade tolerant and essentially disease free. Unfortunately, Ms. Banks is a tender lady being winter hardy only to zone 8. Once blooming.

ROSA BRUNONII (Species Rose) ?pure white single blossoms. This rose is often confused with the Musk Rose (see below). The differences are in growth habit, bloom season, and fragrance (R. brunonii is more fragrant during the day). R. Brunonii is an aggressive climber while R. Moschata is much shorter. R. Brunonii also blooms earlier, but stops sooner in the autumn. The powerful, sweet musky scent is similar to R. Moschata. Both are repeat bloomers and are definitely worth having. Shade tolerant and winter hardy to zone 5.

ROSA MOSCHATA (Species Rose) ?pure white single blossoms. This is the original Musk Rose. I had never smelled it until 2001 when I came across a specimen while taking an evening walk through a neighborhood in Bethesda, MD. Let me tell you the fragrance was incredible! It smelled like an intoxicating combination of orange blossom and exotic night blooming Jasmine (the fragrance is stronger in the evening than the day). The fact that it also repeats is just icing on the cake. This is THE rose for anyone who wants to grow a trouble free fragrant species rose. The shrub forms an attractive tall shrub and can also be used as a low climber. Shade tolerant and winter hardy to zone 6b.

ROSA RUGOSA ALBA & RUBRA (Species Roses) ?pure glistening white or rich reddish pink. Rosa rugosa rubra is the Rugosa species rose while Rosa rugosa alba is its white sport. The single flowers are redolent of cloves, which is the signature Rugosa scent. It also repeats, so you can count on seeing the blooms all season long. Both are HUGE, tough as nails shrubs that are perfect for no spray gardens and do well all the way up to the Canadian North. They will even thrive on the beach. When you drive to Maine and see roses blooming along the coastal highways you are looking at Rosa Rugosa. These roses have absolutely evil thorns that will rip you to shreds but for the lazy gardener they can? be beat. In the autumn they form large rose hips that are higher in vitamin C than any other rose and can be made into delicious rose hip tea or jellied. Lastly, their foliage turns vivid shades of scarlet and gold in the autumn. Winter hardy to zone 3.

ROSE-MARIE (see Heritage)

ROSE DE RESCHT (Portland, prior 1900) ?vivid fuchsia. This is one of the oldest roses in cultivation dating back to ancient Persia. The small blooms are pompon shaped, sometimes with a button eye. Fragrance is varies between a light fresh scent to a rich and heavy Damask perfume that harkens back to the Autumn Damasks. Rose de Rescht is said to be one of the easiest roses to grow with superb disease resistance making it suitable for no spray gardens. The growth habit is short and tidy forming a nicely shaped shrub of about 3.5 feet tall. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by Lori M.

ROUGE ROYALE (Romantica, 2000) ?saturated red. After Kristi? intense enabling campaign during the summer of 2002, I simply had to have this rose. I fretted for the longest time until my little plant finally arrived in March of 2003. Boy oh boy was I disappointed. The bareroot plant I received from Regan? Nursery barely qualified as grade one (the graft was lopsided) and the poor thing took forever to establish itself. When it finally did get down to blooming the buds took their own sweet time to open and the fragrance was a little disappointing, not nearly as strong as say Oklahoma or Chrysler Imperial. When I complained to Kristi about RR? poor performance I was assured that she "just needed time to settle in". I was skeptical but shut my trap and waited. Well let me tell you two weeks after that conversation Rouge Royale took off and hasn't stopped since - pumping out the most sinfully beautiful red roses that I?e ever seen. These flowers are almost too beautiful to be real. First the color ?RED! One of my biggest complaints about the supposed red Austins is that they blue like nothing else I?e ever seen. Rouge Royale doesn? do that; instead she?l take on cerise (a light red flushed with hot pink) hues on the other petals when bleached by the hot summer sun. Not a bad compromise if you ask me. If given afternoon shade the color will stabilize further turning the same shade as the reddish red lipstick that is so popular among French femme fatales. AND THE FRAGRANCE!!! It is simply incredible! Yes Kristi it certainly did improve with the general health of the rose. As many of you know I have a hard time detecting fruity scents but not with this potent perfume! To me Rouge Royale smells like fine Merlot wine blended with smooth Damask, wild blackberries and a subtle spicy note that is a mixture of freshly ground pepper and moist soil (like when you till a fertile stretch of land). Here is an example of how good the fragrance is. Last Friday I cut a bloom for the dining room. I could not put that bloom down. Every hour I would find an excuse to wander into the dining room and take a sniff. I even woke up during the middle of the night to get a good whiff. Finally I gave in to her seductions and took the harlot upstairs and placed her on my nightstand so she could perfume my whole bedroom with her ravishing fragrance. My partner also found the scent intoxicating. Seriously I think this rose made me high. As if all this praise isn? enough the form is PERFECT ?a huge circular disc crammed with petals that form a blood red labyrinth of passionate love from which there is no escape. Stems are thick, looooooonnnnnnngggg, and strong. Her one fault is that she is prone to black spot. Rouge Royale may look like an Old Garden Rose but her shrub is Hybrid Tea to the core. That means the foliage needs weekly spraying with fungicides. Growth habit is bolt upright topping out at 4 or 5 feet tall. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Kristi*

ROYAL GOLD (Large Flowered Climber, 1957) ?bright yellow. Fragrant climbing yellow roses are hard to find and Royal Gold received the most recommendations on a Rose Forum survey for the best yellow climber. Blooms are high centered like a Hybrid Tea, appear on long cutting stems, and are blessed with a moderately strong fragrance. Growth habit is short for a climber, typically from 8-10 feet, but it has the ability to bloom on old and new wood. Winter hardy to zone 7.

ROYAL SUNSET (Climbing Hybrid Tea, Climbing Sungold x Sutter? Gold, 1960) ?clear apricot. This childe of Sutter? Gold receives high marks for climbing vigor, high centered flower form, and strong fragrance. The blooms have a strong fruity fragrance that is very appropriate for the apricot coloring. It also has the enviable trait of blooming along its entire length. Alas, the foliage is not immune to black spot and will need spraying to prevent the disease. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Bluesibe in NoCa.

SALET (Moss, 1854) ?clear pink. The blooms of Salet are a little to blousy for my taste but she does come highly recommended for her ability to repeat bloom and easy to grow shrub. The strong Damask fragrance is sweet without being too heavy. Growth habit is bushy and upright (it will sometimes sprawl but this shouldn? be a problem if kept pruned into shape). The dense foliagge makes it a good specimen plant. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by Copper in Colorado.

SARAH VAN FLEET (Hybrid Rugosa, 1926) ?clear pink. Due to its Old Bush China parent this rose does better in hot climates than any other Hybrid Rugosa. It combines unbeatable repeat bloom with exceptionally lovely, ruffled flowers. The fragrance is wonderful, a blend of the typical Rugosa spicy scent and the sweet pea like perfume inherited from Old Bush. There is only one thing to watch out for ?The Vicious Thorns! Sarah should be named Femme Fatale for the dangerous razor sharp knives she packs underneath her lovely pink blooms. Winter hardy to zone 5.

SCENTIMENTAL (Floribunda, 1997) ?white streaked with red. The cupped flower form and strong fragrance harkens back to the striped Gallicas but with the added benefit of repeat bloom. The shapely bush is great for landscaping. In hot humid climates vigor is outstanding. At the Norfolk Botanical Gardens there is a row of Scentimental rose bushes that has formed a lush wall of shrubbery literally covered with blooms all summer long. The blooms do open very quickly but this shouldn? deter you from growing it. Just cut the blooms when they are in tight bud, or better yet, leave them on the bush for a superb landscape display. Scentimental is one of Rosebud? favorite roses. Winter hardy to zone 6.

SCENTSATIONAL (Miniature, 1995) ?clear mauve tinted orchid pink. I don? grow Scentsational but I will at the earliest opportunity. Scentsational is said to be the most fragrant miniature rose breed to date and has spawned an entire line of strongly scented minis named after it. The high centered blooms are exhibition quality and the tiny bush stays under 18 inches. It does get black spot so be prepared to regularly spray the foliage with fungicides during the growing season. Winter hardy to zone 6.

SECRET (Hybrid Tea, 1992) ?white tipped pink. If you?e ever been disappointed with Pristine? lack of fragrance than this is the rose for you. The strong spicy scent won it the most recent Gamble Award for Fragrance. Winter hardy to zone 7.

SHARIFA ASMA (Austin, 1983) ?pearly pink. I read about this Austin all the time on the forum. It gets recommended again and again. Everybody loves this rose! First the blooms, a light pink with an almost irridescent sheen that delights the eyes. Old Garden Rose form is top notch; deeply cupped with too many to count petals crammed within. The fragrance is to die for; sweet, piercing and does not smell like myrrh. The bush is just as attractive. In sunny warm climates (like California) Sharifa forms a shapely shrub that reaches a maximum height of 5 with equal spread. In cooler climes the bush is just as shapely but smaller with growth reaching 3-4 feet in height. This rose tolerates hard pruning and is a good choice for a container or as a standard (tree rose). Repeat bloom is continuous all season long until cold weather stops it. One forum member said she cut blooms as late as November! Winter hardy to zone 5. Highly recommended by BelleIsis.

SOMBREUIL (a.k.a Colonial White, Climbing Tea, 1850) ?creamy white. When folks ask me what my favorite climbing rose is I don? even have to think. It? Sombreuil! This rose has so many merits I don? even think I can give it enough praise. Color ?PERFECT (think of the color of antique silk wedding gowns)! Flower Form ?PERFECT (blooms start out high centered like a Hybrid Tea then flatten as they open into a huge saucer like shape filled with a labyrinth of intricately arranged soft petals)! Fragrance ?
PERFECT (a very, very strong classic Tea rose fragrance that smells like heaven)! The climbing shrub ain? bad either. It easily scaled up to 15 feet on a brick wall at my work in Maryland. The foliage is slightly prone to black spot but not nearly as bad as most climbers. It can get by with infrequent spraying. If you don? use fungicides and are willing to put up with a few spotted leaves Sombreuil will do just fine. It is also shade tolerant. Lastly, Sombreuil can be trained into a large, gracefully arching shrub if a climber is not your cup of tea. Winter hardy to zone 6 (just be sure your vendor isn? offering the true Tea Rose; to be on the safe side ask for Colonial White). Highly recommended by me!

SONIA RKYIEL (Shrub, 1995) ?soft coral pink. A lovely Generosa from the renowned French Roseraie Guillot, Sonia Rkyiel has warm pink blooms that appear either singly or in clusters of 2 to 3. They are quartered in form and are blessed with a heavy old rose fragrance. Shrub height is between 4?5?tall and Growth habit is spreading with gracefully arching canes. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Kristi.

SOPHY? PERPETUAL (China, unknown parentage, 1928) ?pink blend. Although classed as a China this is actually a cross between a China and a Bourbon. Its blooms are rich pink shaded cerise/red on the outer petals. The loose flower form could be better but that is to be expected from a China. Rich fruity fragrance though so it is worth trying if you like China roses. Growth is less twiggy than other Chinas and in warm zones 7-10 it can reach up to 10 feet tall. Here in zone 6b at the very limit of its winter hardiness it stays under 3 feet.

SOUVENIR DU DR JAMAIN (Hybrid Perpetual, 1865) ?rich velvety red. The cupped blooms have an intense fragrance that has been likened to the Centifolia class. It has the typical lanky Hybrid Perpetual growth habit with long sprawling canes that can either be trained as a climber or pegged. Repeat bloom is infrequent unless pegged. On the plus side the canes are nearly thornless so training is a relatively easy task. The foliage is very prone to black spot so if you live where it is humid you?l need to spray it with fungicides every 10 days. Winter hardy to zone 4.

ST. SWITHUN (Austin, 1993) ?soft warm pink blend. St. Swithun is touted by David Austin as an "improved Sharifa Asma" which is probably true in England. Here in the United States it suffers from the "Jolly Green Giant Syndrome" and throws off these long lanky canes that only branch at the tips of the canes. On the plus side St. Swithun responds well to hard pruning and repeat bloom is very good. The beautiful flowers are huge and among the largest within the Austin Line. Paul Barden? mother likens the strong fragrance to that of "Juicy Fruit Gum." It is definitely a must for those who like the "myrrh" fragrance. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Patricia43.

SUNSPRITE (Floribunda, 1977) ?bright yellow. Sunsprite is the yellow rose to which all other yellow roses are judged against. It has an absolutely wonderful spicy fragrance that some liken to freesias (in Europe it is called Freesia)! Sunsprite? fragrance is so wonderful that it won the coveted Gamble Fragrance Award. Color is top notch too ?a vivid primary yellow that does not fade as the bloom ages. Speaking of the blooms they occur in clusters, and like a good Floribunda should, open at slightly different times so that a spray will have flowers in all stages of development. Buds are high centered but open flat. This isn? a fault because Sunsprite is one of those few roses that actually look better fully open. The petals are ruffled and they beautifully frame the center of burnished gold stamens. Growth habit is compact and short. Mine never grew over three feet. Again this isn? a fault because the short stature makes it a wonderful container or tree rose plus it?l fit in practically any garden. The emerald green, glossy foliage is a perfect foil for the sunny flowers. Disease resistance is very good and Sunsprite is one of the few Floribundas that I can honestly recommend for no spray gardens. The yellow rose does particularly well in cool climates. In areas of the country where it gets hot and heavy during the summer Sunsprite might shut off flower production in favor of producing healthy foliage. This trait is correctable. Heavy feeding and adequate watering will encourage him to stop sulking. Also available as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 5.*

SWEET CHARIOT (Miniature, 1984) ?rich purple fading to dusky lavender. One of the few fragrant miniature roses, Sweet Chariot has a spreading growth habit (see below) that is perfect for window boxes, hanging baskets, or anyplace where you want a small weeping plant that flowers. Winter hardy to zone 6.
Here is what Rubyslippers in coastal N CA has to say about it: "I?e enjoyed Sweet Chariot for 15 years ~ a marvelous rose. Here are some tips. It is BS prone in my garden, but responds well to early-season spraying. Because it's a weeping style mini (& BS-prone) it's good to raise it up off the ground. I suggest you order Sweet Chariot as a grafted standard (tree rose) ~ that way, planted in front of taller roses, it can weep charmingly. Sweet Chariot will not grow taller than its budded height, but believe me its girth will expand a lot. You?l be enchanted with Sweet Chariot ~ its fragrance is intensely sweet & its blossoms ~ depending on weather ~ can be anything from deep purple to light lavender. Mine is a constant bloomer. It's a lovely & unusual rose. But I strongly suggest you buy the tree form for best advantage. How sweet it is!"

SWEET SURRENDER (Hybrid Tea, 1983) ?light pink. This pink Hybrid Tea is quickly fading from public attention but fortunately has built up a good reputation among experienced rosarians. This reason for our passion is simple: it is the quintessential romantic rose with ruffled petals and fragrance to die for. The famous pink Hybrid Tea Tiffany is one of its parents and passed along good growth habits. The fragrance is said to be more intense than Tiffany? which is high praise indeed! Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Carolyn Palmer in So CA.

SYMPATHIE (Hybrid Kordesi Climber, 1964) ?dark red. If you?e ever wanted to grow Don Juan but couldn? because you live in zone 6 and colder than this is the rose for you. Don Juan is its father and Sympathie inherited the same wonderful color and fragrance. Granted the blooms aren? as perfectly shaped but they are still beautiful. Besides, top notch disease resistance makes it suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 4.

TAMORA (Austin, 1983) - clear apricot. Tamora is a classic Austin that performs well in practically every garden and is a particular favorite of those who like the myrrh scent. Due to her Hybrid Rugosa parentage Tamora is very thorny. On the other hand she has tissue like petals that allow light to illuminate the interior of her cupped blooms. My biggest complaint with the Hybrid Rugosas is that they tend to have formless blooms that look messy when combined with this type of petal texture. Tamora (and her sibling Cressida) doesn? have that problem. Another plus is the compact growth habit that makes her perfect for smaller gardens and container culture. She is also disease resistant ?for an Austin ?which means that she can get by with infrequent spraying. Winter Hardy to zone 5.

THE PRINCE (Austin, 1990) ?imperial purple. Want a rose that is REALLY purple (and not shaded pink or lavender) and repeats? Well this is the rose for you! The coloring of The Prince is absolutely unbelievable. The large mature blooms are truly purple and reminiscent of the purple Gallica Cardinal de Richelieu. They are also blessed with a powerful yet smooth fragrance that is a complex blend of Damask, Tea, and piercing Alba. Now for the bad news. All this beauty hovers over a problematical bush that is suitable only for experienced rosarians who know how to coddle a difficult bush. If Sterling Silver is the demon rose of the mauve color class than The Prince is the same for the true purple roses. However, what choice do we have? Purple roses are very rare and we still don? have one that repeats well except The Prince. Sure, there are purple SHADED roses but lets be honest. Most of these are really lavender, mauve, or crimson-purple. I have high hopes that The Prince will be an omen of good news to come as its pollen is used to breed tougher cultivars with this same coloring, but until then we are stuck with The Prince. Long may he reign ?NOT! Winter hardy to zone 5.

THERESE BUGNET (Hybrid Rugosa, 1950) ?rich reddish pink fading to clear pink. Ah we now come to my favorite Hybrid Rugosa. Although I?e never grown her I have seen Therese in other folks?gardens and I must say she is a very pretty rose. While not as stunning as some pinks from other rose classes (her blooms are loose which is something I dislike) Therese is a very easy to grow rose. Her foliage is extremely resistant to disease, which makes her suitable for no spray gardens. Speaking of foliage the leaves have the interesting property of changing their color from green to vivid shades of scarlet in the autumn. This is a landscape rose par excellence. Her canes are only moderately thorny, a true blessing when compared to other Hybrid Rugosas that tend to sport saber thorns. The bushes are also winter hardy (all the way up to the Canadian North) yet do just as well in the hot humid South. Growth is upright and very tall. The shrub takes hard pruning well which is a good thing because you?l need to chop her back a few times a year if you want to keep the bush in check. Of course I?e saved the best for last ?the intoxicating fragrance. Therese Bugnet has a fragrance that is an interesting blend of classic Damask with just a hint of spiciness (think the clove spice you use in baking). If you are looking for a strongly fragrant carefree rose definitely give Therese a try. Winter hardy to zone 3.

TIFFANY (Hybrid Tea, Charlotte Armstrong x Girona, 1954) ?clear pastel pink faintly marked pale golden yellow at the petal bases. Tiffany is one of the most beautiful roses in creation! You must have it! This cultivar is a class act that could serve as a model for the perfect Hybrid Tea. Everything we like about HTs is true in this rose. The high centered exhibition quality blooms are so perfect they look like they are crafted out of translucent pink Italian porcelain. The intense Tea Rose fragrance has just enough Damask in it to take the edge off so you get a perfume that is fresh, sweet, and PIERCING. All this ravishing loveliness rest atop loooooong cutting stems. Petal texture is translucent letting light pass through so as to illuminate the bloom from within. Yet at the same time the petals are thick with substance so you get to enjoy the roses for up to a week in a vase. Growth habit is pure Hybrid Tea. Not a bad thing when you consider that the tall, upright stately bush is perfect for formal rose gardens. Foliage is about as disease resistant as a Hybrid Tea gets, which is not saying much but at least with this much beauty around you won? mind the spraying. Also available as a climber. Winter hardy to zone 6.*

TIPSY IMPERIAL CONCUBINE (Tea) ?pale pink blend. This rose with the exuberant name came directly from China in 1982. It is supposedly a very old cultivar but nobody seems to be able to track it back to its original date of hybridization. Regardless it has been recommended to me numerous times so I feel confident listing it here. Here is what Jean in TN says about it. "Tipsy Imperial Concubine is one of my favorites. The blooms are a good 4" or more across, heavily petaled with a tendency to quill, and are a pale ivory bloom with pale pink edging. Very very fragrant. (It won 2nd in the fragrance class at a rose show last year). One word - although classed as a tea, this is in reality very likely a lost early hybrid tea. The growth is very upright and it's one to a stem - decidedly un-tea rose like. It gets a fair amount of blackspot, but I can live with it. It? hardiness is on par with other hybrid teas ?Zone 7."

TOPAZ JEWEL (Hybrid Rugosa, Golden Angel x Belle Poitevine, 1984) ?yellow blend. A good yellow rose had been lacking from the Hybrid Rugosa class until Topaz Jewel. It came about quite by accident when Ralph Moore crossed a yellow miniature with a pink Hybrid Rugosa. From what I know of Mr. Moore he was probably aiming for a disease resistant yellow miniature but instead got a fabulous Hybrid Rugosa. We should all be thankful for Topaz Jewel has in my opinion the best shaped flowers among its classmates. Most Hybrid Rugosas have messy formless flowers, but Topaz Jewel? blossoms start out high centered like a Hybrid Tea. Granted this stage doesn? last long but it sure is beautiful while in bud. The color is phenomenal ?a deep golden yellow bud that opens to a translucent clear yellow bloom that ages to a sun kissed ivory. Fully mature shrubs often present blooms in several shades of yellow, providing great visual interest to the garden. The fragrance is a spicy combination of Tea Rose and cloves which has the capacity to waft on the breeze. Least you think Topaz Jewel is the perfect yellow rose, he does have a few issues. The shrub is very slow to mature and can take up to 3 years before he becomes really productive. The canes are also covered with viciously sharp thorns and the vote is still out on his disease resistance. So far I?e read mixed reports. Winter Hardy to zone 5.

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC (Romantica, 1994) ?clear yellow. When someone posts a message on the forum griping, moaning and groaning about the poor repeat bloom of Graham Thomas and everything else he/she perceives is wrong with it respondents invariably recommend Toulouse-Lautrec as an alternative. Let? see, what are the differences? Hmmmmmm. Well as far as I can tell Toulouse has shorter growth habits (appropriate since the real Toulouse-Lautrec was a man of short stature), faster and more reliable repeat bloom, improved fragrance (poor Graham is Tea scented with nothing else to offer ?so to folks who can? smell the Tea rose fragrance Graham Thomas smells like nothing), improved disease resistance (although he isn? immune to black spot ?few roses are), and has a catchier name. Sounds good to me! Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by several rose forum members who have smelled one too many fragrant roses and have lost all sense of reality. HOW BOHEMIAN!!!

TRADESCANT (Austin, 1994) ?rich burgundy red deepening to violet black. Oh the agony and ecstasy! First the agony. Tradescant has annoying growth habits. This pathetic little English Rose has low spreading growth that makes placement in the garden an awkward proposition. IF he is happy, the shrub will send out long horizontal canes that can be bent upward and trained into an adequate climber. If he isn? happy, vigor will be downright disappointing and you?l end up with this weird looking squatting shrub. Rebloom sucks as well. Bending the canes in sharp diagonal angles up a trellis or looping around a support might encourage better repeat but don? count on it. The foliage is susceptible to rust and black spot, needing spraying every 10 days with fungicides to prevent disease. Sadly there is no way to predict if this rose will do well for you or not. There are no growing tricks to improve performance. He?l either like you or he won?. Now for the ecstasy. Blooms are highly unusual and unique to the English Roses. Tradescant comes really close to a true black rose. At their best mature flowers are the color of fine African Amethyst gemstones (a rich royal purple) shot through with deepest blood red and touches of midnight black. Flower form is flattened with perfect petal arrangement that I compare to a gothic Sombreuil blossom. Granted the blooms are small but the visual impact is extraordinary. Best of all the roses are SINFULLY fragrant. As I said earlier this is a unique and darkly beautiful rose, which makes attempting to grow it successfully a worthwhile endeavor. Winter hardy to zone 6.

TRIUMPHE DE LUXEMBOURG (a.k.a. Jules Gravereau, Tea, unknown parentage, 1835) ?medium pink. The exquisitely fragrant flowers are fuller and larger than your typical Tea rose. Growth habit is tall, reaching up to 6 feet. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Fantin_Latour in z7 OR.

ULRICH BRUNNER (Hybrid Perpetual, seedling of Paul Neyron, 1881) ?rich raspberry pink. Ulrich is one of those roses that just loves California (don? they all?) and other areas that isn? afflicted with summer humidity. In places like Richmond CA the rose? repeat bloom is very good and it can be grown successfully in no spray gardens. Elsewhere be sure to spray it with fungicides and expect the bloom production to shut off after the initial spring flush until cooler autumn weather returns. Blooms are globular at first opening into a typical Old Garden Rose cupped flower formation. The fragrance is to die for and the rose blossoms are used commercially on the west coast to make rose attar (the essential oil). Growth habit is tall and upright to about 7 feet high but can be kept nicely trimmed to 4 feet for easy harvesting. Winter hardy to zone 5 and possibly zone 4 in a protected spot. Recommended by Leslie3 in NVA and Luanne in Richmond CA.

WHITE LIGHTNIN?(Grandiflora, 1980) ?snowy white. When people ask me what is a good fragrant white rose with Hybrid Tea like form suitable for cutting I always recommend White Lightnin? Any rose with Angel Face in its parental background is bound to be beautiful and this cultivar is a doozy. Like its seed parent White Lightnin?has ruffled petals that give the high centered blooms a petticoat appearance (very romantic looking if you ask me). Form is top notch and flowers look really pretty in bouquets. The buds are a creamy white that lightens as the bloom opens to a dazzling snow white. The blooms appear in clusters on medium stems that present blooms in all stages of development (White Lightnin?acts more like a Floribunda than a Grandiflora). Fragrance is sharp and crisp that some liken to the scent of lemon blossoms. Regardless how you interpret the fragrance it is strong and wonderful. Growth habit is bushy and shrubs top out at 4 feet. Please note that the shrub does better when grafted onto a vigorous rootstock rather than own root. On the plus side it just loves hot and humid climates (i.e. the Deep South). Winter hardy to zone 7.*

WILLIAM R. SMITH (Tea, Maman Cochet x Madame Hoste, 1908) ?blush pink. Another magnificent Tea rose that also makes a wonderful cut flower. The blooms are pinkish white blushed a deeper pink tone in the center of the flower. The classic bud is high centered opening to a petal packed bloom typical of an Old Garden Rose. Although the blooms have a slight tendency to nod this doesn? detract from their overall beauty. Fragrance is very strong. Blooms make good cut flowers. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Jean in TN.

YVES PIAGET (Romantica, 1985) ?hot pink. Those Romanticas are really beginning to give David Austin a run for his money, especially with Yves. I really like the look of this one. The deeply cupped blooms are crammed with petals and blessed with an intense fragrance. Color is a hot pink with a florescent quality that really pops. The growth habit is tall and upright. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Luanne.

YOLANDE D?RAGON (Hybrid Perpetual sometimes classified as a Portland, unknown parentage, 1843) ?rich rose pink. When I first saw several images of this rose posted on the Rose Gallery they literally took my breath away. Once I found out Yolanda was intensely fragrant I had to add her to this list. Everything I could find on this cultivar says it has restrained growth (something unheard of among the Hybrid Perpetuals) forming a medium upright shrub of 4?tall, but the Image that GardenWhimsy posted showed a skyscraping shrub to at least 7-8 feet. Maybe she will post a followup and tell us about the growth habit and disease resistance of the foliage. Until then I?l just have to keep dreaming about those ravishing images. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by GardenWhimsy.

ZEPHIRINE DROUHIN (Climbing Bourbon, 1868) ?cerise. ZeffyRose on the Rose Forum is responsible for this one. She posts the most amazing images of her Zephirine Drouhin (Zeffy I? ready for more!) which literally covers itself with blooms in the spring. Spreaking of the blooms they are ravishingly beautiful. Form is high centered like a Hybrid Tea. Color is this unusual luminous deep cool pink (cerise). The fragrance is just as assertive as the color, being very strong and wafting great distances on the breeze. Zephirine Drouhin is shade tolerant too. Sadly her repeat bloom isn? as good as some climbers but placing her in full sun will help compensate for this weakness. She also needs spraying with fungicides to keep mildew and black spot at bay. The good news is that she isn? as prone to these diseases as Hybrid Teas are so you can get by with infrequent spraying. Another plus is the practically thornless canes. Winter hardy to zone 5.

APPENDIX ONE: Honorable Mention
The following roses have a variable fragrance that I? classify as moderate to strong. While not as intensely fragrant as the aforementioned cultivars they are worth growing for other reasons ?namely vigor, disease resistance and overall beauty.

ALEXANDER HILL GREY (Tea, unknown parentage, 1911) ?blush yellow. This is my favorite yellow Old Garden Rose. Why? Because the blooms are pale yellowish white blushed a clear lemon yellow in the center. Lady Hillingdon may be a better overall rose with stronger fragrance but the color can be more apricot than yellow. The fragrance is moderate to strong in intensity and very sweet. The flower form is truly lovely. Buds are high centered opening to extremely full flowers of Old Garden Rose form, so you get the best of both worlds. Vigor is good for a Tea rose building up to a 4 foot upright shrub. Disease resistance is excellent making it suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 7. Recommended by Jean in TN.

APOTHECARY ROSE (Gallica, before 1597) ?deep reddish pink. The spicy fragrance has a sharp peppery top note that is not unpleasant. One of the oldest roses still in cultivation it is the species rose from which all the Gallicas are descended; so named because of its supposed medicinal properties. The dried petals retain their fragrance making them useful for craft projects. A rose of great historical significance, the House of Lancaster chose this rose as its emblem during the famed "War of the Roses" in Britain. The shrub is short to medium in height and just as wide. If grown on its own roots it suckers freely forming dense hedges. The disease resistant foliage is suitable for no spray gardens. This cold climate rose does not do well in warm weather. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming.

AWAKENING (Wichuraiana Climber, sport of New Dawn, 1935) ?pale pink. Oh how I love this rose! If Sombreuil is my favorite climbing rose then Awakening is a close second. This rose has everything I? looking for in a climber. The blooms are so jammed packed full of petals that they flatten out and quarter like an Old Garden Rose (OGR). Due to the increased petalage the uniform pale pink color is much more stable than its parent New Dawn, which has an annoying tendency to fade to white. Fragrance is better too and really nice. While New Dawn? fragrance is moderate in strength, Awakening? perfume falls somewhere between medium to strong. The fragrance also has depth and complexity blending what I think is a classic Alba scent with a slight fruity topnote reminiscent of ripe apples. Now for the best part: LITTLE OR NO DISEASE!!! One of the things I hate to do with climbers is scale a ladder to spray them with fungicides. Therefore disease resistance is a top concern. Awakening/New Dawn is perhaps the most disease resistant, winter hardy climbing rose on the market. She may get some black spot her first or second year (especially if you let the canes touch the ground) but after that she is a healthy specimen of rosy loveliness. Training is a breeze too as the long thin canes are very flexible. Just make sure you watch out for the tiny yet wickedly sharp thorns. Of course something this beautiful must have at least one flaw. I adore this rose so much that I have 4 of them growing up the west side of my house. Winter hardy to zone 5 with no dieback.*

BEAUTY SECRET (Miniature, 1965) ?cardinal red. This is a classic miniature rose whose reputation continues to grow year after year. The high centered Hybrid Tea like blooms are a standout. Its moderate fragrance is no slouch either. Disease resistance is very good and suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by the ARS.*

BLOOMFIELD DAINTY (Hybrid Musk, 1924) ?canary yellow tinted peachy orange at the petal tips. Fragrant single flowered roses are rare and this is one of the best yellows. The light musky fragrance isn? strong but it is detectable. It has a medium-tall arching growth habit and is shade tolerant. Sadly the foliage isn? immune to black spot and will need spraying with fungicides to prevent the disease. Winter hardy to zone 6.

CAREFREE BEAUTY

CECILE BRUNNER (Polyantha, Mme. De Tartas x unknown seedling, 1881) ?light warm pink. Cecile Brunner is a classic Polyantha that is probably the most popular cultivar within her class. There are several sports of this rose that makes identification difficult. The original forms a wiry shrub to 4 feet high with equal spread. Buds are high centered but open into pretty little pompons blessed with a moderate spicy fragrance. That fragrance is highly unusual as it smells like baby powder with a peppery aftertaste. I know this sounds unappealing but I?e yet to hear any complaints. What is more, the fragrance has the capacity to waft on the breeze and is a favorite specimen plant for placing under a kitchen window. Shrubs are shade tolerant and the disease resistance of the foliage is exceptional. Her only problem is with black spot and even then it is rarely a problem. Cecile Brunner is also available as a repeat blooming climber, a once blooming rambler, and as a tall mounding shrub (Spray Cecile Bunner). Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Melva in 7a TX.

CINDERELLA (Micro miniature, 1953) ?soft white. The light, sweet fragrance is reward enough for getting down on your knees to smell it. The flowers are informally shaped, kinda like miniature popcorn. The compact growth habit is perfect for flower pots. Winter hardy to zone 6.

COUNTRY DANCER

DON JUAN (Large Flowered Climber, 1958) ?dark true red. The heavy damask blended with lemon fragrance has a Jekyll & Hyde quality as it can vary between overpowering to barely noticeable. Blooms look like exhibition quality Hybrid Teas and the color is about as pure a red to be found in the rose family. Sadly it doesn? thrive north of zone 8. A favorite climber of several forum members.

DUSKY MAIDEN (Floribunda, 1947) ?deep velvet red turning bright red with age. I?e been searching for a fragrant single red rose and so far this is the best I can come up with. It is a short to medium upright shrub that blooms continuously all summer long. The fragrance is described as light and sweet. Shade tolerant and winter hardy to zone 6.

EVELYN (Austin, Tamora x Graham Thomas, 1991) ?apricot pink blend. Before I begin let me tell you that this is not a good English Rose for the beginner. Evelyn is a temperamental Prima Donna who just so happens to have the most beautiful flowers that I?e ever seen. This is the rose responsible for switching me from Hybrid Teas to David Austin English Roses. The blooms are ravishing, an irresistible blend of pastel pink and apricot. At times she can be entirely pink but trust me this isn? a fault as the pink is luminous and heart lifting. Form is incredible and entirely changeable. She can be deeply cupped with too many to count petals intricately arranged within. Other times she is flattened into a dinner plate sized quartered shape around a button eye. Yummy!!! This is my sister? favorite rose (she loves it so much that she buys the entire Evelyn line of toiletries from Crabtree and Evelyn just so she can smell like it) and our mother is very fond of it too. Ironically they grow her to perfection and Evelyn is THE STAR of my mother? formal rose garden. Personally I?e always had problems with Evelyn and it wasn? until after I had moved out of my parent? house and returned for a visit that I discovered the tricks of growing her successfully. My sister Tracey had taken over responsibility for the garden and Evelyn was thriving in lush blooming health. She does two things differently that seems to make the world of difference. First, Tracey never hard prunes, instead she cuts just enough off to keep the shrub shapely (BTW the Hybrid Teas look incredibly ratty with this technique but that is another story). Second, she is a heavy feeder with organic fertilizers (lots and lots of Mills Magic Mix, chopped up banana peels, alfalfa and anything else her "intuition" tells her to put down). I?e also read reports that Evelyn does not tolerate shade at all and resents root competition from trees/tall shrubs. Honestly I think this is a rose that only women can cultivate. Evelyn has a fragrance that is a complex blend of classic rose and fruit (it has a definate "peachy" aroma). Although David Austin claims this is his most fragrant rose I?e read enough differing reports to question his nose. To me the fragrance varies between moderate to strong. I wouldn? classify it as very strong, which is what got it pulled off the main list ?sorry David. Winter hardy to zone 5.*

EVEREST DOUBLE FRAGRANCE (Floribunda, 1979) ?light coral pink. What the fragrance lacks in intensity (moderate to strong) it makes up with complexity. The extraordinary fragrance has been likened to an apple pie; a delicious concoction of fresh apples, cinnamon and cloves. Growth habit is more like a Grandiflora, tall and upright. Winter hardy to zone 6. Recommended by Luanne in Richmond.

FALSTAFF (Austin, 1999) ?raspberry red turning magenta. Epiphany on the Rose Gallery Forum says this rose smells like ripe bananas. Sounds yummy to me! The blooms have a classic Old Garden Rose form. Growth habit is tall and sprawling, so watch out for the Jolly Great Giant Syndrome. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by Epiphany.

FANTIN LATOUR

GLOIRE DE DIJON (Noisette, 1853) ?buff beige tinted dawn pink. GdD is Paul Barden? favorite rose which is high praise indeed! The fragrance is wonderful; a strong, fresh Tea rose scent that is absolute heaven. Of course it is that Tea Rose freshness that gets it into trouble because it doesn? have much more to offer fragrance wise. The quartered Old Garden Rose form pretty much sets the standard for a Noisette rose and has yet to be matched. The petals have a silky translucency that allows light to pass through and illuminate the bloom from within. It is also more winter hardy than most Noisettes and can be grown up to zone 6 so almost everyone can enjoy it.

GOLDEN WINGS (Shrub, 1956) ?clear yellow. This is the best fragrant, single flowered yellow rose. A landscape shrub par excellence it grows to 5?and has an attractive rounded shape. Shade tolerant and winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by John in Minnesota.

GRIFF? RED (Buck, Amiga x Music Maker, 2001) ?medium red. If this fabulous rose were more aggressively marketed it could become the country? most popular red rose. This Buck beauty has everything that the modern gardener is looking for: rich pure red color, good fragrance, excellent disease resistance, lovely flower form, long vase life, winter hardiness, and a shapely shrub. It essentially is the perfect red rose. Now for the specifics. The buds start out high centered like a Hybrid Tea but open completely to surround a bright yellow stamen packed center. In form it is very much like Mr. Lincoln only this rose doesn? blue as it ages. That is the kicker. The color is a pure red without any orange or purple tones. Petal substance is extremely thick. Consequently the petals look like they are fashioned from red velvet. Repeat bloom is excellent producing waves of blooms from late spring to October in zone 6. The Tea rose fragrance has been described as moderate to strong in strength and is compared to that of Pat Austin. Shrubs grow into an upright vigorous shape. The foliage is described as disease free in a no spray Kentucky garden. Winter hardy to zone 5. Recommended by WendellO in z6 KY.

ISABEL RENAISSANCE (?) ?dark true red. Looking for an easy to grow climber with true red blooms formed like Old Garden Roses? Well this just might be the one you want. The flowers are truly remarkable. The fully quartered blooms (with a cute button eye) really are red without the tendency to blue or take on obnoxious orange tones like so many reds are apt to do. Vigor is outstanding. Although classified as a shrub rose it can just as easily be considered a climber. In zone 7 healthy specimens can throw out canes up to 15 feet in length. It also repeats well both as a climber and a shrub. By early to mid July it is typically already into its second flush. The dark glossy green foliage is resistant to disease but not impervious. The leaves will need spraying with conventional fungicides but a lazy gardener can get by with applying the spray every 2 to 3 weeks. If all this sounds too good to be true it is. Isabel has one, although dreadful, fault ?she isn? strongly fragrant. Now don? get me wrong, the moderate fragrance is easily detectible, it just isn? worth raving about like Souvenir du Docteur Jamain or Tradescant. However, Isabel doesn? have SdDJ? black spot problems or Tradescant? unreliable vigor, so it would be a good choice for an OGR style red climber if strong fragrance isn? important to you. Personally I?l take the strong fragrance. Recommended by Llpnut, Richard inland CA, Dennisb1 7a MD, and a whole lot of other forum members.

LITTLE WHITE PET (Polyantha, 1879) ?rose pink buds opening porcelain white. Although usually classified as a Polyantha this rose is actually a repeat blooming sport of the rambler Rosa sempervirens. The flowers look like the tiny cups you see in little girls?tea sets and they smell like wild roses. Growth habit is dainty too. The compact shrub never goes over 2 feet in height. In spite of the delicate blooms the foliage is actually quite tough and is suitable for a no spray garden. This rose would make a wonderful gift for a young daughter or granddaughter. Winter hardy to zone 5. It is a favorite of John W in Minnesota.

MADAME HARDY (Damask, 1832) ?snowy white. If there is room for only one Damask Rose in your garden then this is the one to plant. Simply put, Madame Hardy has some of the most ravishingly beautiful roses to ever grace the earth. Each and every bloom is sheer perfection. The form is quartered surrounding a green button eye. The petal texture is unbelievable, resembling fine white silk. Because of the petals translucency, light diffuses through the bloom illuminating it from within. Descriptions of the fragrance tend to vary. Many swear that this is one of the most fragrant roses ever hybridized while other sniff and pronounce the perfume only moderate in strength. Nobody quibbles on how delicious it is ?a classic Damask softness but with a twist of lemon freshness ?just wonderful. Growth habit is tall and elegant with long arching canes. Keep in mind that the canes are widely spaced so Madame Hardy looks better planted in groups of three so as to create a uniform mound. Disease resistance is poor for a once blooming Old Garden Rose (most are disease free), but it never suffers as bad from black spot as say a Hybrid Tea or David Austin Rose. As said earlier it blooms only once but that period of bloom is one of the most extended among the OGRs; often up to five or six weeks. Winter hardy to zone 4. Recommended by several forum members.

MOLINEUX (Austin, 1994) ?yellow blend. In my opinion this is the best yellow rose in commerce today. Trust me he is that good! Molineux is my favorite rose because he has it all: handsomely formed pompon like flowers, nice fragrance (a manly blend of fresh Tea Rose and sweet musk), unbeatable repeat bloom (puts most Floribundas to shame), disease resistant foliage that can get by with infrequent spraying (during the summer of 2003 it went 4 weeks between sprayings with not a speck of black spot; trust me this is EXCEPTIONAL for an Austin), winter hardy to zone 5, and an easy to grow short to medium shapely bush that fits into any garden. Best of all is the color, a fabulous yellow blend that doesn? fade. Molineux varies between a rich golden yellow flushed with apricot in cool temps to a vivid lemon yellow during the heat of summer. Speaking of heat this rose can take it. He just thrives in hot, humid weather. Lest you think I am exaggerating, when Molineux was introduced in 1996 it won just about every award that England? Royal National Rose Society offers including the societies award for fragrance ?the coveted Henry Edland Medal. NOW GO BUY IT!!!*
A few words on Molineux's fragrance. It is Tea scented. Of all the various scents (Heavy Damask, Gallica spicy, sweet Alba, Rugosa spicy, fruity, myrrh, etc.) that make up the rose fragrance the Tea scent is the most enigmatic and difficult to sense. I've found that many people really have a hard time perceiving it. This is why you consistently read reports lamenting the scentlessness of Graham Thomas even when David Austin reports it is strongly fragrant (and you will see posts by folks swearing his fragrance is knock down strong). If you happen to have a sniffer that is insensitive to the Tea rose scent Molineux? fragrance isn? going to impress you during the day. Fortunately his blooms also have a hint of musk rose in their fragrance makeup. The best time to smell them is at dusk or really anytime during the evening. Then, the musk topnote comes alive dominating the overall fragrance. Trust me in the evening Molineux is positively delectible.

NEW DAWN (Wichuraiana Climber, sport of Dr. W. Van Fleet, 1930) ?pale silvery pink fading to soft white. New Dawn is a classic climbing rose that has high centered blooms. For a more complete description of her growth habits please see the description of her more fully petaled sport Awakening.

OLD BUSH, also OLD BUSH CHINA (China, introduced in 1752) ?light pink deepening to rose pink. If you visit an old graveyard in the Southern United States and wonder what that charming pink rose you keep seeing is look no further. You are probably gazing at Old Bush. This tough species hybrid is considered one of the most influential roses ever discovered. Basically every repeat blooming rose we have today can trace that trait back to Old Bush or one of its 3 siblings. What I like most about Old Bush and what puts it on this list is the unusual fragrance. Old Bush has a light to medium fragrance that smells exactly like flowering sweet peas. It is a unique sweet scent that is remarkable for its freshness and ability to waft on the breeze. The loose, formless blooms are nothing to rave about but they do appear again and again as the repeat is fantastic (Old Blush is usually the first and last rose to bloom in any garden). Like most Chinas the foliage is sparse and widely spaced. Disease resistance is top notch and Old Bush would make a charming addition to any no spray garden. There is also a climbing version but repeat bloom isn? as good. Winter hardy to zone 6.

PRAIRIE HARVEST (Buck, 1985) ?pale yellow (the forum member who recommended it calls it "limestone yellow"). Any rose that has got Sunsprite as a parent has got to be good, and this one does. The fragrance is described as moderate but what makes it remarkable is the consistency. Praire Harvest? fragrance is detectable morning, noon, and night. Trust me that is rare (many roses loose their scent by midday). The repeat bloom is described as generous. The scent is also highly unusual and smells like Freesias, a trait it inherited from its Sunsprite parent. Blooms are large, urn shaped, and appear singly on long cutting stems. Growth habit is upright and dense like a medium tall Floribunda. Being a Buck rose exceptional disease resistance is to be expected and it is suitable for no spray gardens. Winter hardy to zone 4b. Recommended by Richard inland CA.

ROSA MUNDI, Rosa gallica versicolor (Gallica, sport of Apothecary Rose, before 1659) ?white striped with deep reddish pink. Unusual spicy fragrance with peppery top notes. This sport of the Apothecary Rose is probably grown more than any other Gallica. The dramatic petals dry well and retain their fragrance making them useful for sachets and potpourris. Short to medium spreading growth habit (a word of advice: don? fertilize too heavily or the stripes will not be as pronounced). If grown on its own roots it aggressively suckers, forming dense hedges and thickets. It does better in warmer climates than its parent The Apothecary Rose. A rose of great historical significance it is named after Rosamund, who was King Henry II? mistress. Winter hardy to zone 4. Once blooming. Recommended by Tenor peggy in Wisconsin.

SOUVENIR DE LA MALMAISON (Bourbon, Mme. Desprez x unknown Tea, 1843) ?pale pink. The title "Queen of Beauty and Fragrance" is a bit of a misnomer as unfortunately SdlM isn? fragrant to everyone. After reading many, many reports on the forums about its lack of fragrance I felt forced to move it to the Honorable Mention section. If you can smell it the fragrance is a wonderfully heady mix of old rose and spicy myrrh. The flowers are PERFECTLY quartered and are more fragrant from a distance than up close. Sadly, the blooms are prone to spotting/rotting in rainy weather but that is the price for perfection. Growth habit is short and bushy. SdlM does wonderfully as a container rose. Her repeat bloom is also superb. Don? let this rose? Bourbon status fool you, she is actually a Bourbon/Tea hybrid and isn? winter hardy north of zone 6. Also available as a climber.

THE PILGRIM (David Austin Rose, Graham Thomas x Yellow Button, 1991) ?David Austin has introduced many fine yellow roses but in my opinion The Pilgrim is the most beautiful. The intricately arranged flowers on The Pilgrim are what really set it apart. These are the blooms you see again and again on the covers of rose gardening magazines. They are quite large, evenly shaped flattened rosettes, which are filled with numerous small petals. The color is a clear canary yellow in the center shaded to creamy white on the outer petals, an effect that is both delicate and charming. Fragrance is somewhat variable. I?e read reports by those swearing that this rose has a strong fragrance. Others pronounced it moderately fragrant. To me he has a medium yet complex fragrance that is a blend of Tea rose and spice with a faint fruity top note that I can? quite identify (almost like guava?). The plant itself is healthy, reliable, strong growing and free flowering. In the United States it grows as a large gracefully arching shrub or low climber. It is important to remember not to over fertilize The Pilgrim with nitrogen based fertilizers. Doing so encourages what is known as The Jolly Green Giant Syndrome (i.e. prodigious growth at the expense of repeat bloom). Substitution of organic based fertilizers (like Mills Magic Mix) and hard pruning will go a long way in correcting this problem, ensuring a steady stream of the soft yellow flowers followed by a second autumn show.
1/15/04 Update: In a recent post I placed on the Antique Rose Form praising The Pilgrim I received several responses notifying me that the grafted versions of The Pilgrim were infected with Rose Mosaic Virus (RMV). Whether or not this is true I can? verify. All I can say is that the own plant I got from Chamblee? Nursery during the spring of 2003 has shown no sign of disease. It is my sincere hope that these are isolated cases as The Pilgrim is a very beautiful and useful rose. It was the ARS January 2003 "Rose of the Month" and is a personal favorite of David Austin.

WHITE PET (see Little White Pet)

另一個人(jpw_chi)對許多品種芳香程度的評分:

Okay, because it seems I can't go through life without grading it on a curve, I was curious to see how often people mentioned different roses. Using my very own unscientific methods (and the help of my computer's "sort" function), I did a little checking.
I expected Mr. Lincoln to come in first, but he was number two. The most commented upon rose -- which also took the most votes for popularity in the "Two Favorite Roses of All Times" Thread -- was Double Delight by a longshot. Here's the breakdown for everything with more than three comments:

DOUBLE DELIGHT, with *seventeen*(17) comments -- not always chosen as the absolute favorite, but definitely the most talked about or, like Mr. Lincoln, used as a benchmark for fragrance.

Other Roses with Ten Comments or More Regarding Fragrance:

Mr Lincoln (12)
Gertrude Jekyll (10)
Jude the Obscure (10)

Four to Nine Comments

Abe Darby (6)
Angel Face (7)
Baronne Prevost (4)
Blue Girl (4)
Chrysler Imperial (7)
Crimson Glory (7)
Evelyn (6)
Fragrant Cloud (8)
Francis Dubreuil (6)
Granada (6)
Heirloom (5)
Heritage (4)
Intrigue (4)
Lemon Spice (5)
Melodie Parfumee (5)
Mirandy (6)
Papa Meilland (6)
Reine des Violettes (4)
Rose de Rescht (5)
Scentimental (6)
Secret (5)
Sharifa Asma (7)
Sunsprite, (6)
Sweet Chariot (5)
Tamora (4)
The McCartney Rose (4)
Tiffany (5)
Yves Piaget (4)

感謝版主提供這個玫瑰香味的討論. 受益多多.

前文:
Heritage (4)
Abe Darby (6)
Jude the Obscure (10)
Mr Lincoln (12)
雙喜(17)

1.我覺得Abe Darby跟Jude差不多,至少沒到6:10的比例(或我的Jude除了顏色一直怪怪的,也變得沒別人的香?)
2.如Jude在10, La France大概在16, Fisherman's Friend在17(靠花大,如La France能開那麼大,可能會到20)
3.不覺雙喜(也是靠花大取勝)能跟Fisherman's Friend比...最多到13左右,跟林肯(花也很大)差不多,但林肯應該是14

Kimi姐也說說那邊的評比?
謝謝

補充說明一下:
Jude The Obscure (10), 10 這個數字是表示該論壇裡總共有10篇文章推薦/稱許 Jude 的香味,
並不是表示芳香的程度喔.

呵...是我誤解了~

大毛
我的常常一下子香一下子不香,很難預知什麼時候香味會表現的好.

就我而言香味的喜好度照排名:

第一級: 米蘭爸爸, Jude the obscure , 甜蜜, 雙喜
第2級 ： Tiffany, 天使之顏 , LP,
第3級: 南海, 奇蹟, 巴隆落查

這個網站 忘了是怎麼被我加入我的最愛的..

這裡有對一些玫瑰香味的敘述：
http://www.westvalleyrose.org/roseinfo/fragrantroses.html
不過, 也僅只參考..

謝謝 kimi 資訊分享.
好像沒有包括 ER?

有啊
[SHRUB - AUSTINS]
那區就是,還列了不少~

呵呵, 老眼昏花了.