Veteran's Honor, Black Magic, Red Intuition, St. Patrick, Louise Estes, Pope John Paul II, Voluptuous

Dan, traditionally, the longer lasting HTs and floribundas have been those with little to no scent and more petals. I've linked an article I wrote years ago, which is listed on Help Me Find, that explains why lack of fragrance and longevity of bloom usually go hand in hand. Look also for those touted as good exhibition blooms. While not always great garden plants, they traditionally have longer lasting, more durable blooms, as would florist varieties. Those two types of roses have been selected for the durability and lasting qualities of the flowers, two traits you are looking for. That should help you focus in on those which should more appropriately suit your goals. Where the good exhibition/florist flowers intersect with the good garden plants, should be where you'll find the longer lasting roses for your garden. Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: Fragrance: Much Ado About Nothing

Dan,

As I promised. The first is Brandy as 3rd day blossom.

Brandy at 5 days

Brandy at 7 days

I second Kim's recommendation on the exhibition hybrid teas. Check out roseshow.com for a list.

My favorite is Hot Princess. Hot pink in color, petals with a lot of substance (thick and crisp), holds in a vase for days. It is also still used by florists. The cream rose is Leana.
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Gemini is pretty fab too...

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Fame! lasts like a plastic flower in my heat. I bought it because I found a stippled flowered one. It should still grow at my youngest sister's house. Not a lot of petals, but they are STIFF and STURDY. Rino Hugo is another horse with long lasting blooms. http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.5212
Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: Fame!

I'll vote for Love and Peace. It isn't a frequent bloomer in my yard, but when it does the blooms are solid, stiff, and stay high centered without fading for at least a week. Others that last well for me include Valencia, Elina, Dream Come True, Veteran's Honor, and Legends.

Cynthia

I am not too far from you, same climate. My longest lasting roses are Marilyn Monroe, St. Patrick, Ingrid Bergman, Crimson Bouquet, Black Magic, and Fame.

What a great article on fragrance! I am only a novice, but while reading Kim's article, I realized that I always go to each blooming beauty and smell it. I am, not exactly disappointed when there is almost no fragrance, but I am definitely more pleased with a lovely old fashioned rose smell. Like the ones my mother grew.

Also, as much as I love Brandy, there is only a 'very delicate' fragrance. HMF has it listed as a "Mild, sweet, tea fragrance" I agree. There is nothing spicy
or strong about it.

But I have another thought about this subject, Some of the newer 'breeds' of roses that I have in my garden smell (as someone on this forum said once) just like cold cream. I find this yukky also. Maybe for my next garden,I will try to find roses that have a lovely sweet old fashioned rose smell.

andrea

Thank you, Andrea. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Kim

Thank you all for the suggestions and the great pictures. I'll be sure to make a list of these long lasting roses so that I can bring to the nursery when it's time for them to come bare root again.
@Andreak, wow, Brandy lasts forever doesn't it, and what a nice color on Hot Princess.
Roseseek, your article is excellent, and is very informative about commercial roses. I have greater appreciation for fragrant roses after reading your article. They don't last very long, but when they're here they are the whole package.

My Saint Patrick's blooms take forever to open and last twice that long it seems.
Red Eden looks old fashioned but is technically a HT. Mine gets full sun all day and the blooms last...you ready? Over 2 weeks. I'm in the PNW, but we've had a hot and dry few weeks. It's not a stellar repeater but it does repeat. No scent to speak of. It's worth it though, the blooms are gorgeous and don't even feel real to the touch.
Beautiful photos here, I'm starting to covet some of these!
Here is Folklore, about 6 days for this bloom. It also gets all-day sun. It's been a really good one for me, very healthy.

Wow, thank you. That folklore looks lovely, and I'll be sure to get a St. Patricks since so many people seem to love it.

My Memorial Day lasts a long time.

If only my Memorial Day could look like yours, Susan. Mine always has thrips damage and simply can't take our heat. Maybe things will get better in a year or two. It didn't help to transplant her this spring either. Anyway, your photo is gorgeous and that look of pink porcelain was one of the reasons I bought MD in the first place. Thanks for posting your photo. Diane

Welcome, Diane. Glad u liked her! Funny how some roses do well for some of us and not others. Sometimes I think a few feet in location can make a huge difference. For the life of me, I cannot grow PJP 2.