Fragrant
Roses for the Lowcountry
By Frances G. Ballentine
(From The Charleston Rose,
August/September 1999)
"Which very fragrant roses (hybrid teas and floribundas) grow well
in the Charleston area?" The question came in recently via the online
Consulting Rosarians' program. What a good question! Our Consulting Rosarians
who grow a variety of hybrid teas and floribundas were asked for recommendations.
The roses selected were rated 7.5 or higher in the 1999 Handbook for
Selecting Roses.
- Mister Lincoln, HT,
medium red.( 8.6) Probably the most widely grown fragrant rose in the
country. A must for every fragrance garden and a good rose for cutting.
- New Zealand, HT, light
pink. (7.5) A great grower with an intense spicy aroma. The ladies at the
assisted care home consider this one and Mister Lincoln their favorites.
- Just Joey, RT, orange
blend. (7.9) A beautiful, large rose with great perfume. A worldwide
favorite. Gorgeous as an open bloom.
- Double Delight, HT,
red blend.(8.7) Beautiful bicolor rose with great fragrance. Somewhat hard
to grow but a delightful bloom. Everyone loves this rose.
- The McCartney Rose,
HT, medium pink. (7.6) This beautiful hot pink has a very sweet aroma. It
is very prolific and hardy. Not a show rose, but a traffic stopper in the
yard.
- Gold Medal, Gr, medium
yellow. (8.6)Tall, prolific bloomer throws lots of sprays all season long.
Flowers last a week in the vase. A garden rose, will show as an open
bloom.
- Angel Face, F, mauve
(7.8). Beautiful lavender blooms with a sweet fragrance. A classic
floribunda.
- Scentimental, F, red
blend.(7.6) Very fragrant with blooms of many variations of red and white.
- Chrysler Imperial, HT,
dark red. (7.5) An old classic which most "used to grow". Very
fragrant.
- Sunsprite, F, dark
yellow.(8.7) A beautiful, floriferous floribunda, great fragrance, good
grower, a great garden rose.
- Alec's Red, HT, medium
red.(7.5) A wonderful garden rose, fragrant, good grower, great for
cutting.
- RoyalAmethyst, HT,
mauve.(7.5)Very nice mauve color and seems to be hardy if winter
protected. Edmunds.
- Fragrant Cloud, HT,
orange. (8. 1) A classic. Large bloom, great fragrance, beautiful cut
flowers.
- Tropicana, HT, orange
(7.5) A classic with large full blooms and nice fragrance. Good in the
garden and in a vase.
Other fragrant hybrid teas and floribundas include:
HTs: Ain't She Sweet (7. 0), Dolly Parton (7.3), Miss
All-American Beauty (7.4), Tiffany (7.3), Perfume Delight (7.
1) Fs: Sheila's Perfume (8.3).
Nominations for other fragrant, easy to grow hybrid teas and floribundas are
welcomed. Send to the editor or e-mail: franballen@aol.com.