This is my sole representative of the classic red rose. I told myself I would do one red hybrid tea — but it had to be exceptional in scent, and “so dark it looks poisonous”.
It turns out that it’s extraordinarily difficult to breed fragrant red roses. Several have done so and many exist, but usually resulting in varieties said to be weak growers, or disease prone — or the buds “blue” as they age, eventually ending their display in a hue bearing an unfortunate resemblance to advanced gangrene. No.
As I continued my research, one variety interested me and persisted on my short list. A sibling of the far more popular Mister Lincoln and Oklahoma, it was said to have the weakest growth of the three, the lowest cold hardiness, and a high susceptibility to disease. By this point, I already had so many roses in my collection that my garage was well stocked with antifungal measures, so I thought it would be worth the experiment.
Pros:
- Possibly the strongest scent I’ve experienced from any plant — a nose tingling intense Damask scent, with blackberry and raspberry
- Surprisingly disease resistant in its first year, with only mild and easily controlled blackspot
- More vigorous than expected, reaching 5ft in one season — leading me to suspect it may like being in a large pot
Cons:
- Growth is a bit upright and leggy (i.e., stereotypical hybrid tea)
My Source: Roses Unlimited
