When I first read the heading I was thinking in terms of overall popularity, so I will stick with that and say...

PEACE

Since we're talking about personal preferences I'm going to pick Souvenir d'un Ami, a lovely tea rose which probably draws my eye to it the most when it's blooming in my garden. I love the shape and coloration of the lilac pink blooms and the bush itself. But it's so hard to pick just one!

Ingrid

I agree with Mgleason! There are not too many roses that one could write a book about. "For the Love of a Rose" - Antonia Ridge. The story of the creation of the famous Peace Rose.

My favorite is double delight. It is just so pretty. It lasts forever in a vase. And the smell is divine.

I go with Double Delight--regularly comes out #1 on favorite rose surveys. But Peace is a good choice also--until you try to grow it (disease-problems). Sure is gorgeous, however.

Kate

See, I have no problems with Peace disease-wise. Now, Chicago Peace is a problem, but not Peace.

kayli-gardener - You just made my day! I had no idea there was a book on the subject, and although it is setting me back a little, I found a copy in the U.K. I just bought. Thanks!!!

Souvenir de la Malmaison

I would have to say multiflora. The boy scouts even planted it everywhere in the 50's. It is one of the most popular rootstocks. It is in the blood of ramblers, polyanthas, hybrid musks and so many other vigorous nice roses. I wonder what the rose world would be without it?

Come on, folks. You're talking about Johnny Come Lately additions to the rose world.
Roses with barely a century under their belts, and several are already not as strong as they once were.

I'd nominate two that are at least a millenium old:
Rosa gallica, firmly rooted in the mediterranean and much loved for its vibrant color as well as its medicinal values. It earned its name Apothecary Rose.
Rosa roxburghii: pictured on ancient chinese art. Repeat blooming. Hips that provide fruit, make good wine and have high vitamin content. And, like gallica, it adapts well to large parts of North America where it has been happily chugging out blooms for almost two centuries. (And it does it with no spray, and with only the occasional application of manure from passing critters.)

Belinda's Dream

I say the Rugosa! It has it all: scented, healty, drought-tolerant, wind tolerant, cold hardy, good autumn foliace and even Hips! AH! Beat that :-)

Too many criteria for what makes "great." If I could take only one rose to a desert island or a new planet, it would be R. Rugosa. But if I could have only one rose in my garden I'd have to flip a coin between Perle d'Or and Mrs. Joseph Schwartz, who is blooming again and I am falling all over myself in love every time I walk past her.

catsrose mentioned Mme. Joseph Schwartz which again points up the importance of location. In my garden she's doing NOTHING while mama Duchesse de Brabant has never stopped blooming. I suppose that's one of the many reasons why we'll never agree on the #1 rose of all time. And that's as it should be. Lots of fun to see what everyone's choices will be.

Ingrid

Currently? It would have to be Knock Out. Not my favorite and I don't even grow it, but even my neighbor knows that name (as do Hardware stores, Mart Stores, Box stores, Discount stores, Landscapers, Nurseries etc.). Before the advent of Knock Out, I'd say that Peace or Mr. Lincoln were the best known roses by the unwashed masses.

Wow. And I thought this forum was about roses.

Alba Semiplena or Canary Bird for me.
Olga

My test for this is, what rose absolutely stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it AND every time thereafter? Rose gallica versicolor aka Rosa Mundi. And close behind--Golden Wings.

I believe the #1 rose of all time would have to be PEACE. It was the first rose that I purchased. But MY favorite rose will always be Brigadoon.

Yeah! I believe PEACE is the official, yet I do not have it in my garden - grew it once and it did not work for me, though I know some of the blooms are amazing! Just not my colour scheme! But I will vote for it anywaty!

Pauline - Vancouver Island

Midas Touch
most gorgeous dark green foilage I have ever seen on a rose, and big perfect bright yellow flowers that smell so strong and heavenly.
Profuse bloomer, even when young.

Mr. Lincoln.

you can't possibly have just one rose favourite. so I'll go in colours. Yellow, Sunsprite (Freesia) hands down. White, Glamis Castle. Red, Mr. Lincoln, but don't forget L. D. Braithwaite, and in pink, well, the gates are open, Memorial Day, Mary Rose and Comte de Chambord... those are just for starters.

I think the rose of the 21st century will be "Knockout." This rose signifies the trend toward more disease resistant, easy roses for people with little time for gardening. It is not my favorite but here in Blackspot Haven, it is being used extensively as a landscape rose even to being planted along the roads.

My favorites remain the old teas, some Buck roses and Belinda's dream that thrive and bloom in my "no-spray" garden.

I think the rose of the 21st century will be "Knockout." This rose signifies the trend toward more disease resistant

*** Perhaps, but I think to earn that status on the basis of disease-resistance,
it would needs be disease-resistant pretty much everywhere, and it is not.
In our part of the world, blackspot is not an issue, but these roses mildew.

Jeri

For me, the best all around, I'd have to say Traviata. It grows well in either full sun or half-shade, blooms all summer, not bad with BS, is loaded with dark green leaves all summer, has good strong canes with very little twigginess, does well on own root.

I have one growing under an oak tree. The effect is kind of interesting because sometimes it looks like the oak has these big red blooms. When it get this hot and sunny, the shaded one actually looks nicer than it's heat and sun-stressed siblings.

"... is a world rose, because under almost any conditions within civilization, it will deliver its globular, sweet-scented, clear pink blooms."
-- J. Horace McFarland, L.H.D., 1936, ROSES OF THE WORLD IN COLOR

*** And what rose earned such un-qualified praise?
'RADIANCE'
(HT, U.S.A., Cook, 1908) -- along with its early sports:
'Red Radiance' (Verschuren, 1913)
and 'Mrs. Charles Bell' (Bell, 1917)

These two plants of Red Radiance, now about 12-ft tall, were planted, flanking
a pathway, probably in the early 1920's.
For most of the past 50 years, they received no care, and quite probably
no water.
They're on Ragged Robin rootstock, which is trying to take over, so you get a
bit of both when they're in full flush.

Jeri

Here is a link that might be useful:

The #1 rose of all time has to be Crimson Glory, the fragrant red rose that has 7509 unique descendants according to HMF Roses, including Mister Lincoln, Chrysler Imperial, Oklahoma and Papa Meilland. The Antique Rose Emporium states that: " ÂCrimson Glory is the standard by which all other red roses are judged." The fragrance of Crimson Glory is the best in the rose world in my opinion. Though it is not a perfect rose in having susceptibility to mildew, a weak neck, asymmetric bush, requiring TLC, etc., these are minor quibbles in being able to experience this captivating rose.

CRIMSON GLORY
{{gwi:316418}}

I think the criterion must be established first. The #1 rose of all time should be a rose which is popular now and has stood the test of time. I think Amberroses is asking for more than our favorites.

Peace, Tiffany and Mr. Lincoln seem like the right answers.

I would like to say Tamora or Souvenir de la Malmaison from my own experience, but I don't think they really meet the criterion. They just aren't that popular outside of the rose-fiend circuit.

It depends upon where you live. Back in zone 4/5 I grew Sunsprite and never had any problems with it. It even stayed spot free one summer when I was laid up and couldn't spray! (I have heard it does well down here so I may get another one) I haven't been here very many years (about 3 now). So far Duchesse de Brabant is wonderful for me in my no spray garden. It is spot free, it has a fragrance I can actually detect (I'm one of those unfortunate folks who have problems detecting the old tea scent), is almost always in bloom and is happy in a pot. :-)

"All time" is a long time, too much time. I would break it down a little, say,

Iconic rose of Europe, ancient times, Autumn Damask. The petals the Emperor tossed on the shoulders of gladiators.

Iconic rose of Mideval Europe: Rosa gallica.

Iconic rose of Colonial Europe: Souvenir de la Malmaison.

Iconic rose of Pax Americana, 1945-2001: 'Peace'.

Iconic rose of Victorian England: the hybrid perpetual, all x-thousand of them.

Iconic rose of 18th century US: 'Champney's Pink Cluster'--yes I know it's 1811, but the agrarian America of the 18th century is much different from the industrialized US of the post Civil War era, and Champney's is from that agrarian US.

Iconic rose of Frontier US: Harison's Yellow.

Iconic rose of I-dont-have-the-time-with-all-thats-going-on 21st century US: Knock Out.

Is the rose not a Western phenomenon? Despite all the roses of China, the iconic Chinese flower is the Peony, not the Rose. Japan has the Chrysanthemum; India, the Lotus. The Pre-Columbian New World is Tobacco and Chocolate.

Nice, Hoov.
:-)

Jeri

Great list Hoov!

Going international icons would need include the rose of India that's used by the millions in their floral decorations. (Is it our found bourbon Maggie, or Maggic like?)

Thanks! That's a great list from everyone! This is just what I wanted. You all have such different takes on what the #1 rose should be. I am inspired to check out all the ones you mentioned.

For my Texas garden, it's a two-way tie between the below historic roses:

Souvenir de la Malmaison

and

Duchesse de Brabant

Randy

Going international icons would need include the rose of India that's used by the millions in their floral decorations. (Is it our found bourbon Maggie, or Maggic like?)

My DH just got back from India, where he spend two weeks on business--he took a picture of the piles and piles of rose-garlands they make and sell and wear--but not a CLOSE UP picture. I guess I will have to send him back there with detailed orders on what to photograph. ;^)

And I misspelled "medieval". :(

Around here, the clear winner is Iceberg. It's EVERYWHERE!!

Whoa! Where I live, everywhere I look in people's gardens, even those with one or two roses--Double Delight greets me. I personally love Austins, but most people I know recognize DD and ooh and aah when they see it and when they smell it. So many great roses, but I have to acquiesce to the great popularity of DD. Say what you will and tell us your favs, but DD is it. CJ

sorry I'm late to this thread...I have to say Benjamin Britten is quickly becoming my favorite. The scent is wonderful, fruity, and doesn't fade like some of the other Austins do. Plus there are yellow streaks on the inside which just add to its already striking, Gorgeous color!

Benjamin Britten...
{{gwi:257110}}

You didn't misspell medieval, hoovb, you typed it wrong. How do I know this? My students spell it "midevil".

Double Delight/Peace. At one point, I thought these were the only roses that had names!

When it comes to miniature roses.... I have 2 beautiful Sweet Chariots. The color doesn't really go in my garden but I love it and it's growth habit. It's a purplish small rose.

I also have the double-knock outs which are awesome. I must say one of my favorites is call Brass Band. It's a Jackson Perkins, I believe. It's hardy, somewhat copperish/orange and not a single thorn! I also have a Betty Boop that has grown huge. It's very pretty but only about 3 weeks of the year. Too bad. Maybe I just haven't been lucky with this one but it's pretty.

Well, it's pretty hard to pick the #1 rose of all time, because ALL TIME hasn't come yet. The ballots are still out. I think what you meant to say was "What is the #1 rose at this point in time?"

My students spell it "midevil"

The lesser of two weevils? :)

I love the literacy on this forum!

""All time" is a long time, too much time. I would break it down a little, say,

Iconic rose of Europe, ancient times, Autumn Damask. The petals the Emperor tossed on the shoulders of gladiators.

Iconic rose of Mideval Europe: Rosa gallica.

Iconic rose of Colonial Europe: Souvenir de la Malmaison.

Iconic rose of Pax Americana, 1945-2001: 'Peace'.

Iconic rose of Victorian England: the hybrid perpetual, all x-thousand of them.

Iconic rose of 18th century US: 'Champney's Pink Cluster'--yes I know it's 1811, but the agrarian America of the 18th century is much different from the industrialized US of the post Civil War era, and Champney's is from that agrarian US.

Iconic rose of Frontier US: Harison's Yellow.

Iconic rose of I-dont-have-the-time-with-all-thats-going-on 21st century US: Knock Out.

Is the rose not a Western phenomenon? Despite all the roses of China, the iconic Chinese flower is the Peony, not the Rose. Japan has the Chrysanthemum; India, the Lotus. The Pre-Columbian New World is Tobacco and Chocolate. "

hoovb

I was making a list of the greatest roses of their periods, and realised that the list was the same has hoovb's, except I didn't consider the Victorian times and frontier north America.

I would disagree on a number of points - I always thought the cherry blossom is more of a Japanese obsession than the chrysanthemum, and that the plum blossom is more of a Chinese icon then the peony. It's just that the peony is more glamorous.

That picture of Crimson Glory, what a stunning color.!

The question is really unanswerable as several have pointed out.

But putting emphasis on best as opposed to popular my personal favorite at the moment is Rosarium Uetersen. It is very hardy, has fabulous foliage, wonderful color and form and profuse bloom. Even repeats well.

To new to qualify as "all time".

I just had to chime in on this one:

Yellow/White: Elina, it is in a vase on my desk 8 times out of 10. I have never experienced such a vigorous bloom machine with such exquisite tea form and staying power!

Red: Veteran's Honor, by far the most posh rose with the staying power unlike all others. Where other reds beat it on scent and higher form, Veteran's Honor can't be touched overall.

Pink: Belinda's Dream, extra full hibrid tea form on a lush bush the produces flowers constantly. I don't know who belinda is, but her dream defined what all roses should be like. Healthy, beautifully formed, full, and abundant.

Orange: (this is a hard one) Fragrant Cloud, where this rose fails to impress in form it more than makes up for in scent. Asside from Elina, this rose is a staple on my desk. The scent catches people by surprise so often that many in my school know it by name.

Purple: NONE, although I grow many of the widely available ones (it's my wife's favorite color): Fragrant Plum, Melody Parfume, Heirloom, Angle Face, Wild Blue Yonder, Intrigue, Paradise, Neptune, Midnight Blue, Burgundy Iceberg, and Fragrant Lavender Simplicity, Blue Girl, Lady X, Simply Marvelous, to name a few, none of them set up to the plate of greatness like the roses aformentioned. Purple roses thrive in the scent department, but do so poorly in either form and/or health, that I couldn't say any purple rose could be #1.

Bi-Color: (no surprise) Double Delight, this one almost has it all - scent, form, beautiful colorations, and vase life. My only angst with it is that it falls short on health (a problem I have with peace, which I've attempted to grow over 15 times, but at least DD puts out new growth).

roseman- I meant the phrase "all time" obviously to mean from the present time back to the dawn of recorded rose history(or pre-recorded history if you want to consider fossil records), but if you know what rose will be the best in the future, please e-mail me the answer in private along with next week's lottery numbers:)

I just didn't want to limit anyone's choices. I think the wide range of roses mentioned is very educational for me personally.

Such a rose would have an attractive growth habit, with outstanding vigor over a wide range of climates and soil types. The foliage should clothe the bush well and be resistant to all known rose diseases. It should be easy to root yet not aggressively sucker. Winter hardy to at least zone 6. Canes should be thornless or nearly thornless. The foliage should compliment the flowers. Speaking of flowers, they should be large, beautifully colored and shaped. The flower form in particular should compliment the beauty of the blossom from tight bud to full maturity. Petals should be thick with substance, enabling the cut flowers to last a week or more in a vase. Unless the rose is a climber, stems should be long and strong, holding the large flowers straight up (no nodding). Blossoms should also be consistently fragrant regardless of the time of day. The spring flush should be very profuse followed by rapid repeat bloom thereafter for the rest of the season.