We like Tilde. Bred in Luxembourg in 1888, this joyful little antique rose has surprisingly good repeating power, a strong scent, and blooms ranging from white to pink. They also vary from thick, cabbage-like structures almost to the pointed, exhibition form of a hybrid tea.
This an ideal specimen for a pot. I was quite intent on keeping it as a housepet, before learning the hard way that roses in such conditions can easily develop severe infestations of spider mites… So Tilde ended up with a rather prompt bath in neem oil and return to the back deck.
There is one thing I will say (and likely will rant about again, numerous times, on this website). When a specimen is said to have a classic “old rose scent”, that leaves a great deal to interpretation. The old roses themselves have a broad range of scents, and not all of them will be seen as pleasant to all noses. In some cases, that means a clean, fresh, green scent with soapy overtones. In others, it means more of a powdery or camphor-based odor. Tilde can be more of the latter, being “old rose” more in the sense of “Rose Nylund getting ready for the potluck supper.” The scent will be pleasing to mature women of a certain generation. To the rest of us, it is a bit polarizing but may be more likely to evoke fond memories of grandma.
Pros:
- Exceedingly healthy
- Compact and ideal for pots
- Thornless
- Strong scent
Cons:
- That strong scent is more Rose Nylund than it is tasty and fresh
My Source: Rogue Valley Roses
