Favourite roses.

I did think this would be an interesting thread, just upload a picture or two, add a few comments explaining why it is.

Then I thought, hold on, which is my favourite? There are so many I love, how could I leave out X or Y.

How do you compare the exquisite fragrance of one against the glorious colour of another, but yet another has the most perfect shape, and that one could take first if it wasn't so prone to black spot!

Is there a weighting system for all these attributes, say 30%Colour, 25% scent, 25% shape, 20% disease resistance ? What have I missed, have I got the %s wrong?

Discuss .........

(I was going to add a few contenders for my favourite but SWMBO says it's bed time, so you'll have to wait for tomorrow)

 

Just a few contenders for favourite


Ferdinand Pichard, glorious scent and the colours, also very disease resistant


Corvedale, lovely shape, lovely colour and scent.


I don't have many yellows but Graham Thomas has to be the best of them for colour shape and scent.


Ard's Rover, an oldie, hybrid perpetual climber, colour and scent mmmmmmmmm.


Fred Loads, rampant single, brilliant colour and prolific flowering, nice scent too.


Maidens Blush, an ancient Alba a most delicate pink and good scent.


R.Gallica Complicata, another ancient variety, really large blooms, and that colour!!!!!!


R. Gallica Complicata again, only a short flowering season but what a show.

Now you see my dilemma, how do you choose between that lot ....... and others.

 

wow mike breath taking thats alot of quality roses!!
Having only got into gardening fairly recently could you give any recommendation on
some container roses and small (1.5m Max) roses for borders?
Regards
Sean

 

Hi Sean, looking at my lot, I often wonder if there are any "small" roses apart from patio types, most of mine seem to grow like weeds, maybe they just like the sandy soil!!

I would suggest looking round your local nurseries or garden centres especially ones with a good stock of roses. You should be able to find somebody in them who knows what does best in your local conditions; What does well here on the very mild wintered south coast in sandy soil may not be suited to your soil and climate.

It's sometimes difficult to recommend things without knowing peoples preferences, my wife likes singles and semidoubles, I tend to prefer doubles; colours and scents can also affect choice.

 

Choosing a favourite rose is like choosing a favourite book.... it would break my heart. But if I had to really pick one it would perhaps be the Malicorne from Delbard...

http://www.delbard.com/boutique/popup/popupProduitPhoto.asp?file=rosier_malicorne.jpg

This picture is from their website, not from my plant, I utterly failed to capture the true colour of the flowers in any picture. Even this picture is not 100% true, itis a warmer, richer crimson that that. The flowers are not big (I dislike roses the size of a cabbage) and they are double but not very full. It has a simplicity about it, and the colour is breath taking, wonderful in combination with pale equally warm pinks. the stamens look like a tassel of gold in a swathe of the richest crimson velvet.

 

A bit too dark for me, Tuscany is about as dark as I like,



Not one of mine, this pic from the David Austin site.

http://www.davidaustinroses.com

 

hi Mike i love the Ferdinand Pichard it is stunning thanks for sharing :thumb:

 

I so love the yellow roses beeign a favourite colour of mine.Thank you enjoyed very much:thumb:

I was working in a garden this week which had the old fashioned roses very thorny but the scent was so nice.
I did take home some of the spent petals.

Away to start work in another garden full of scented roses just in bloom .

They were not pruned back so when woudl be best to do this and how far they are very tall.

 

I found this rose I thought it had died on me. Dont know the name.

 

My guess would be "Oranges and Lemons", mine looks beautiful while in bud and when it first opens, but the petals start to look a bit curled and almost tatty after a couple of days.

http://www.roselocator.com/rose_locator/roses/floribunda_less_100cm/115_oranges_and_lemons.php

 

Mike, can I come and have a sniff around your garden please!! :D It looks absolutely gorgeous, and your roses are stunning! How many more do you have? I'd be happy to see piccs of them all (and drool over their descriptions!).

I only have three roses in my garden, two inherited - a compact white apple scented one:





and a really tall pinkish one, with a delicious rose perfume:



No idea of names am afraid.

I was looking for a hot-coloured rose for my crimson and orange hot bed, and for me a rose must have scent, but I am a bit disappointed with my choice. I don't have a photo, but it has quite blousey blooms in a fushia shade that I don't like, the shape of which is fairly flat, and the perfume is not the best either. I think I should relocate it to someone elses' garden, and buy one that i really like! Didn't think there'd be a rose I DIDN'T like!

I did have two rambling/climbing roses which went through my honeysuckles hiding a wall. They came from carboot sales, and the owner assured me they weren't throny. HA - I have lacerated my arms on those spiney thorns, so have tried to take them out (the blooms were quite pretty, but you risked a scratched nose for a sniff!). There are, I noticed today, new shoots forcing there way to the light from the roots I missed!

Corvedale is my favorite of yours for looks. Shame we don't have 'smelly cam'!

 

Yup Malicorne is a real dark lady, I like that. I really love pale flowers, white, pale pink,lime green, sulphur yellow,ANd I am always looking out for real darkies to contrast with these. I also have a Black BAccarat (actually she is my husband's, but guess who take care of her). AT her best she is spectacular, but the flowers need warmth and sun, else they take on a sickly purplish hue that is quite disappointing.

I have seen a hedge made of Tuscany and Ferdinand Pichard near Florence: one of the most glorious things ever. I think there was a similar combination mentioned in one of Vita Sackville West books: I guess someone in the household may have read the book!

 

Hi JB, how about Fred Loads for your orange hot bed (see pic above), may be a bit rampant, mine often reaches 9' tall although the book says 6' - 7', maybe Fred likes the farm muck I give him, just prune heavily if you need to keep it in check or try training it fan or espalier shape like a fruit tree as a back drop, prolific flowering and good scent.

At the last count I have about 45 roses of which about 17 are climbers or ramblers, 2 are ancient varieties with only a 3 - 4 week flowering period, 4 of David Austin's "English roses" of which Corvedale is one, the rest mostly chosen on a "that looks/smells nice" basis or cheapies in supermarkets.

Some more pics at http://mike-boydon.fotopic.net/c1285238.html