21,401 Garden Web Discussions | Roses


It's hard for me to say, since very few roses I planted AREN'T fragrant. When I was selecting roses, scent was the first thing I searched, though there's a handful I picked for other reasons and which aren't particularly fragrant. Consequently, I can't easily pick "the most fragrant" out of what I grow. Every time I think "oh, this one" I realize that it was just the most recent to bloom.
What I have noticed among my pot-pet red HTs is that those I have which are descended from 'Crimson Glory' are particularly wonderful, and have only subtle variations on the same scent, which matches that of 'Crimson Glory' -- 'Big Ben', 'Chrysler Imperial', 'Heart's Desire', 'Mirandy', 'Mister Lincoln', 'Nocturne', 'Oklahoma', 'Red Masterpiece', 'Rose of Freedom' and 'Velvet Fragrance'.
'Orfeo' is a climber I have trained into a hacked-back Callery pear (and it has canes nearing 20' long going up into the tree now), and it, too, smells just like its grandparent 'Crimson Glory'. It's the only one of the "family" I have planted in the ground, with one white and one lavender-blue clematis using it as a trellis to get into the tree. I can't wait for next year -- this year, 'Orfeo' bloomed a little for the first time since I planted it last year, so I expect a show in its third year.
Of the most fragrant OGRs, I'd be naming the usual suspects as the most fragrant of what I have from their groups -- three of my Bourbons ('Mme de Sevigne', 'Mme Dore', and 'Souvenir de Victor Landeau'), six of my HPs ('Georg Arends ', "Grandmother's Hat", 'Monsieur Boncenne', 'Pierre Notting', 'Reine des Violettes' and 'Yolande d'Aragon'), both of my Damasks ('Botzaris' and 'Quatre Saisons Blanc Mousseaux'), three of my Damask Perpetuals ('Indigo', 'Rose de Rescht' and 'Rose du Roi, original'), one of the Gallicas ('Georges Vibert'), both Hybrid Chinas ('Duchesse d'Angouleme' and 'Nouveau Monde'), and, of course, 'Rosa moschata' in its single-form, as well as "Secret Garden Musk Climber" (if you count that as an OGR).
Of the Austin roses, I'd give the awards to 'Abraham Darby', 'Golden Celebration', 'Jude the Obscure', 'Prospero', 'Tamora' and 'The Prince'. That leaves 'Happy Child' as the only Austin I have which is not mentioned -- but this came as a band this year, and I've been pinching buds until recently, so can't really offer an opinion.
Interestingly, the roses whose fragrance carries the farthest (i.e. "wafters") tend to be less intensely scented up-close (except, perhaps, for 'R. moschata' and "Secret Garden Musk Climber", which succeed at both). The winners here would be mostly Multiflora-derived (and my handful of Moschata-derived): 'Bubble Bath', 'Clotilde Soupert', "Darlow's Enigma", 'Marie Pavie', 'Mlle Blanche Lafitte', 'Perle d'Or', 'Reverend Seidel', 'Rosa moschata', and "Secret Garden Musk Climber".
This was the second year in the ground for most of my roses, and already the yard was full of yummy scent in May and June. Supporting the roses was a small cast of scented Dianthus which mostly bloomed at the same time. Unfortunately, July and August here was not as knock-your-socks-off, so I have 25 each of mixed Oriental, Trumpet and Orienpet lilies coming with a bulb order in a few weeks which will perfume the yard until the roses rebound from their mid-summer sleep. And various stinky self-seeding annuals will be filling in the gaps.
:-)
~Christopher

My Scottsdale garden is about 50-50 OGR and hybrid teas. The problem with OGRs is that you will need to buy a smaller own root plant which takes a year or more to get going, so I would stick to hybrid teas from local nurseries.
This is the perfect time to plant but be wary of stock that has been in pots in Phoenix all summer. I love Baker's nursery but I don't know if they get new stock in the fall. Try Berridge's nursery, which is in the same area, about Camelback east of 44 St. They always have potted roses.
If you can find it, Chrysler Imperial is a wonderful smelly red rose here, but I would mostly look for healthy looking plants in bloom and pick whatever appeals to you the most. Good luck - you are coming at the right time of year.
Liz

thanks all-- I was planning on buying from the Antique Rose Emporium so I do not have to rely on whatever is around at the garden centers there. Much better selection, and higher plant quality that can be guaranteed. Would like to stay away from Hybrid Teas if possible.




I am dying to try some roses on fort. From what I've read, it's just a much more robust root structure so it can push the scion to new levels. It's also preferred here in the south. There are a few nurseries that sell it, I will be trying to get there this winter. I actually have a fort plant in my yard. It used to be Touch of Class....





How interesting. Ann your posts seem to be sending me on google treks lately!
Here is a link that might be useful: A previous discussion of facination on GW









And here's the mini arrangement.
Those are so gorgeous! I think you have a magic touch with your arrangements, they're wonderful! This time last year I had some lovely ones, not so much this year, I do appreciate you sharing your beauties.