Take a good look at this little dragon. I would consider it a myth killer. The plant you see here gets a maximum of 3-4 hours of sun per day — and grew to a robust 10-foot tall in just two years, while remaining impervious to all disease and showing off its shiny, poison ivy-like leaves the whole time. This is where we leave behind the generalization that roses must be planted in an all-day-sun location.
I have my example along the east side of the house, in a narrow alcove. Before roughly 10AM, it’s shaded by the neighbors’ house (cozy the lots tend to be, on our street), and by 1PM, it’s in the shade again as the sun moves behind our house. Not only does it not seem to care, I suspect the lack of afternoon sun has helped to keep it happy. This is an excellent option for planting in a location that doesn’t get a great deal of sun.
This is also a great introduction to the myrrh scent that is almost unique to English roses. It’s distinctive, and pleasant, my only miff being that I don’t detect the hint of lemon that David Austin says this variety sometimes has. No worries, as I do have plenty of other places to obtain my citrus fix.
Pros:
- Virtually indestructible, and an almost perfect example of an English rose
- Myrrh-based scent is pleasant, spicy and quite strong
- Canes drape elegantly, and as it grows taller they appear to be bending down to show off its blooms
Cons:
- Well armed — it’s bitten me several times
- Requires a trellis (not really a con if you accept it as a requirement — this is simply a vinier rose than some other varieties)
Source: Heirloom Roses
