I have Sombreuil. It's been in the ground for 3 years now, and while it's thorny, it's worth it. It's growing like an octupus (10+ feet) and does get BS, but not as badly as other climbers I've had in my garden. The fragrance is great.

I do not have Mme. Sombreuil, but I believe she is a tea and forms a bush. The bloom form is also totally different I believe. I'm sure someone here owns one and can help you out with more info.

Here is the Tea Rose, 'Mlle. de Sombreuil' (which has been sold as 'La Biche')

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Here is the Wichuriana Climber, 'Sombreuil' (which has also been sold as LCl Colonial White, and as Cl. Tea Sombreuil)

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The Climber IS very thorny. And in our climate, it can put out 12-foot-long canes. But it has always repeated dependably for us (you do need to deadhead). AND it is wonderfully fragrant. AND it has very good disease-resistance, under most circumstances, in my climate.

Jeri

Sombreuil it is, then.

Thanks a lot!

George

If you like rugosas, sombreuil has a child with a rugosa- 'Blanc Double de Coubert'.

It's a lovely thing, too. The only caution about it is that it does not drop its petals, and so takes on that "rotted tissue" look.
Doesn't seem to grow with real vigor in alkaline conditions, either -- but that's not surprising, given its parentage.

Jeri

I have blanc double de coubert.

Next spring, I plan on having marie pavie behind the blanc double (in front of a fence with grape vine/maypop).

Then the next year the sombreuil in front of the blanc double (all on the west side of the house - behind some black raspberries).

Thank you.

George

Just planted Sombreuil, thank you very much! I decided the theme would be 'monster' roses (for a background for those planted closer to the house)-so the back row is (left to right):

Alba Semi-Plena
Darlow's Enigma
Westerland
Cinderella Fairy Tale
Sombreuil
Konigen von Danemark
Lafter

There may still be some space in between once they have grown-any suggestions? I'm thinking about planting some sort of fragrant nighttime plant (e.g.-flowering tobacco?) to attract bats to the mosquitoes-any suggestions?

Thanks, again!

I have both growing in the ground for the past year or so. The La Biche (which is what Chamblee's labeled it), is growing vigorously, despite night time temps in the high 20's for the past week. The Sombreuil is already putting out flower buds this early in the season. I cannot wait for the weather to warm up to see how these plants will respond.

Jeff

Jeff, where did you get 'la biche' from? I don't see a lot of places that offer it. And is yours a noisette or a tea?

I have the climber Sombreuil. It is a thorny monster, but blooms well and has a wonderful fragrance.

You can get it own root from J&P.

Geo, I hope I didn't confuse you. The "La Biche" that I got from Chamblee's is what is now known as "Mlle. de Sombreuil." The picture on the label and web site resembles the picture that Jeri posted for "Mlle. de Sombreuil." I think Chamblee's should change their labeling to match what the ARS put out recently regarding this rose. As for "La Biche," from what I read on this forum, it is no longer available commercially; perhaps it is waiting to be rediscovered somewhere in the South in some cemetery.

Jeff

As for "La Biche," from what I read on this forum, it is no longer available commercially; perhaps it is waiting to be rediscovered somewhere in the South in some cemetery.

*** Or, perhaps, already has been -- but remains un-recognized. Tempting thought.

Jeri