Alba is one of my two most favorite rose classes. These are just my opinions, I hope I will not offend anyone by stating them. My favorite white Alba is: -Alba Semi-Plena, I prefer it to Alba maxima because although the other rose has more petals, it doesn't have the marvelous boss of stamens that the white 'Rose of York' shows. Lovely green-blue foliage that shows more blue near the base of the plant. Graceful in all its parts, and a bonus of flagon-shaped red rosehips! It is my favorite white rose. Pink Alba roses, I wonder if a Damask rose gave its pink hues to some of the Albas? My favorite pink Alba, by a long shot is "Felicite Parmentier", for its' foliage, sepals, and breathtakingly beuatiuful rose blossoms. It has a light powdery scent which I find to be powerfully seductive. Small own-root plants may take a year or three to bloom well, but well worth the wait, I'd say. I feel that I should love 'Maidens Blush", more than I do. But compared to "Felicite Parmentier", 'Maidens' Blush' appears a bit plain to me, and "M.B." don't send me into raptures as the white Rose of York and Felicite Parmentier do. I do cherish M.B., as I love all Alba roses, but it is not among my very favorites. "Mme. Legras de St. Germain" bears sublime white roses, that show a strongly elegant character. For a climbing white rose it is one of the best roses ever bred, of any class, for beauty of bush, leaf, and bloom. It's disease resistance and beautiful floral form makes me wonder why it hasn't been used in rose breeding programs. I love my Damask "Celsiana", which reminds me of an Alba, far more than the Alba named Celestial". 'Celsiana' has gray-green leaves similar to an Alba, and far finer blossoms, to my eyes, than the Alba named "Celestial. "Celsiana" is a very enchanting rose, that opens from tiny buds that unfurl large satiny pink rose petals. This is a rosebush that would not look out of place near a bed of Alba roses. Chloris' has small blooms, and I would choose others before it. The "Queen of Denmark" did not impress me as much as I thought it would, I much prefer Felicite Parmentier and the Damask "Celsiana" for a pink rose of that type. I haven't seen "Princess de Lamballe" yet, that vintagegardens.com sells, but I am curious to see it. Luxrosa

These are my Alba hips tonight and they are immature by about 3 to 4 weeks for some. Unfortunately even though Mme Plantier, Mme Legras de St Germain, Armide, Blush Hip and Pompom Blanc Parfait bloomed this year there are no hips. Princesse de Lamballe was moved last fall and is recovering ... and I know I planted Amelia and Minette but can remember where or they may not of made it. I believe I have all labeled as received, except I refuse to acknowledge the one received as "Alba Maxima" as correct and consider it to be Great Maidens Blush. I also consider my labeled "Great Maidens Blush" to be Alba Maxima - my garden my choice ... yukyuk. Alba Maxima Alba semi-Plena Chloris Jeanne d'Arc Félicité Parmentier Königin von Dänemark Great Maiden Blush Suaveolens A couple of others of interest also; R. spinosissima Theresa (Therese) Bugnet) - first time I have noticed a hip - you can bet I'll be trying to see if I can germinate it.

well i will put in a vote for semi-plena too although, if it is fragrance which floats your boat, then have a look at alba suaveolens - this is one of the roses used to make attar of roses as well as the famed kazanlik and has the same pure rose scent. A little harder to source but if you do get a chance, then that would be on my list, for sure. Again, like semi-plena, it is semi-double but slightly more muddled. Very disease free.

Hi Olga, I don't spray and I've never had problems with mine. I've had her for sometime now. She was in the batch of roses I first mail ordered so it must of been around 1995. I don't have major blackspot problems, but it has reared its ugly head a few times. I planted her in a very hot dry spot with less than perfect soil, and she has taken the abuse. I think the location has slowed her growth though. I don't know if it location related because my Jostaberry planted near her does the same thing, but she turns yellow early. At first I thought something was wrong with my shrubs, but they do this every year, and now I realize it is just Fall foliage coloration. I love the scent of Mme. Legras! It is my favorite of all the roses I grow. Remy Here is a link that might be useful: