'Radio Times'

 Someone once asked me why I plant so many roses that look so similar when there are so many other colors and styles of roses. The short answer is that it’s what I like. The longer answer is that there is much more to a rose than the photograph you see of a single blossom. I started out looking for the perfect rose, and after a while discovered that there is no such thing. 

 

'Abraham Darby'

My favorite flower form is called “quartered” which has many petals in an arrangement like slices of a pie. I also like the roses with cupped shaped flowers. The color I’m looking for is peachy pink with the outer petals pale pink or white, and whose color doesn’t fade as the bloom ages. It is surprisingly difficult to get just right because to get the outer petals lighter it’s usually because the petals fade as they get older, so even the inner petals fade as the flower opens. Some flowers fade to beige, others fade to pale pink, some fade to white, some even turn orange. Some fade in a nice way, many fade in an unattractive way. Some open up bright orange then fade to peach and pink. Then there are variations of scent, flower size, and durability. There are variations in the number of petals. The flowers of some roses change with the weather, getting less petals, getting smaller or turning to a different color in the heat, and then changing again as the weather cools down in the fall. Some have flowers that last a long time, some have flowers that only last a day. Some have flowers that are easily damaged by wind, rain, insects, heat, humidity. 

 

'Evelyn'

I’m also interested in roses that have a strong scent, and one that I enjoy. I’ve tried some roses that smell like mothballs and those were removed. But the fragrance also changes throughout the day and in different seasons, so it takes a while to judge. That’s just the flower. Then there is presentation or how the flower hangs or stands up on the stem and bush. Some hang their flowers like they are wilted, others coyly nod their heads, others are regimentally upright. Does the plant bloom once in the spring and is then done for the year? Or does it bloom again? If it blooms again, how often does it bloom? Some bloom in the spring and in the fall but not through the summer. Do all the blooms open at once in a big splash or does it spread them out for a longer period of time? 

 

'Princesse Charlene de Monaco'

Then there is the bush itself. How vigorous is it? How thorny? Does it grow long canes or is it compact and bushy? Does it grow 10 feet tall or 1 foot tall? Does it grow tall and narrow, or does it grow wide? Does it tend to get diseases or is it resistant? Are the leaves shiny as if waxed or are they matte green or yellowish? Does the plant have a lot of leaves or are they sparse and far apart?

'Scentuous'

Does it like my garden? Does it want to grow? Or would it rather grow in the weather of the UK?  I grow mostly English style roses so that’s always an issue. Some plants with beautiful flowers don’t want to grow in my garden at all.

'Boscobel'