My bible among rose books, The ARS Encyclopedia, describes it as one of the best of all modern roses. Big flowers, 4.7", strong and sweet fragrance, a vigorous and healthy plant with shiny, healthy, dark green foliage. It's only fault listed is that the flowers spoil in rain. Also listed as Z6 so it does best in dry, mediterrean climates. Reason why I passed it by.

I have this one. This rose has larger than average flowers most of the time except in really hot weather. It is a creamy white with a yellow cast to it. It is quite fragrant. It repeats well. Flower form is reasonably good most of the time, but I have a problem with bug damage, usually thrips, green spotted cucumber beetles, or some other pest. With my regular spraying, disease is not much of a problem. This rose seems to be fairly sturdy, but after this winter is over, I will have another look at it to see how well it did. Below is the best picture of it that I was able to get. It is too bad pictures can't convey the fragrances because this one does smell good. I wouldn't mind having several of this one if I had the room. I hope this helps a little.

{{gwi:216626}}

What about 'Ice Girl', another white Kordes? Someone said that was a good one.

As I recall, this rose, when new, was ignored by all the US producers and distributors, so it never got a fair chance. I was interested, but didn't want to deal with Hortico.

Thanks for the posts. My computer has been acting up all day. This is a test to see if it works now. If it does, I will return with more extensive comments.

Kate

Thanks for all the feedback--especially from bustopher with the lovely pic and actual real-life experience with Memoire. Between bustopher's comments and the ARS info, I'm thinking this may be exactly the rose I'm looking for.

Now I just need to see if I can find a place to order it. Interesting info, michaelg--can't imagine why this rose would have been ignored, but I do hope I can find it somewhere besides Hortico.

Thanks, hoovb, for the Ice Girl suggestion. I seem to remember it was originally on the long list I compiled for research. Don't remember now why Memoire beat it out. But if I can't find a place to order Memoire from, who knows.

Kate

Palatine is definitely the way to go with this. They have it in stock now for spring delivery this year. And they have the biggest bareroots you'll find anywhere -- very healthy plants and great customer service to boot. They get my highest recommendation.

Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Memoire at Palatine Roses.

Why, thank you, Kathy. I think I'll be ordering tomorrow.

Kate

I have almost ordered it several times as well as Royal Philharmonic, and the white florist rose Virginia.
I have ordered a couple of Annapurna from Cliff ORent at EuroDesert roses and I hear it is a knockout white HT.
John

I have this rose too and you will love it. It does have a scent to it and it last a long time in a vase. The blooms are huge. I posted a picture of mine in december on the gallery, it should still be there.
Carrie

Found it...

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Carrie's Photos

Oh, Carrie, your Ice Cream is truly lovely. I have ordered it--and now am already getting impatient for spring to arrive so I can have blooms like that also.

Diane, thank you for helping me get my head screwed back on right, as my Mom would have said. LOL.

Kate

diane thanks for finding those for dublinbay. I tried to find them last night but at the top of the main page they put a note up saying some of the pages were missing. I went through almost every page, the dates of the message's and when they were posted were out of order, I do not know how diane found those. You will just love this rose I have had no problems with mildew(at least in my area, it is so dry here). The blooms in the picture that are in the vase, they opended up too 6+ inches wide. I am very happy with this rose. I would post more pics but I just pruned my roses so, in a few months I can post more. I look forward to your pictures too!
Carrie

I think that Pope John Paul II is probably the best white HT available today. I guarantee you would love it. I have two of them and they are amazingly beautiful and healthy roses.
John