Mardi Gras or Sheila's Perfume? Help me choose!

14 years ago

Hi everyone!

This is my first ever post on the Rose Forum, though I've been lurking for a while. I'm preparing a bed along my back patio for a row of Floribundas and I had decided on Mardi Gras for a glowing yellow/orange/pink blend... until I discovered Sheila's Perfume. Now, a fragrant rose will usually win out in my book, but how do the two compare in terms of growth habit? Generosity of bloom? Flower form? Disease resistance? I've read that Sheila's Perfume behaves more like a HT, which is fine, but I'm mainly after bunches of blooms... Anyone grow one (or both) of these who could offer advice? Thanks so much!

Erica

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Comments (9)

littletxyard
Original Author
14 years ago
Also wanted to mention that I've seen Joseph's Coat in bloom and adore the colors (but I don't have room for a climber), so color is a big consideration too. Thanks!
kublakan
14 years ago
I've never grown Mardi Gras but have three Sheila's Perfumes.

The plant does act more like a HT than a Floribunda. I love the size of the bloom and the scent is up there with my stinkier roses. The color is definately novel and is similar to another rose that you might want to consider: Tahitian Sunset.

I would recomend TS more for its scent and smokey color than anything else. It is not as prolific as SP, but its blooms tend to wow me more.

Happy hunting!

Adrian.
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I went to the nursery yesterday and saw Traviata, a beautiful quartered red bloom on a very floriferous bush. I don't know why I didn't bring it home, if it's still there next week I'm definitely getting it. Sorry I can't tell you if it was a floribunda or hybrid tea, I'll check next week. It did have lots of single blooms all over, so it is possibly an HT, although you know sometimes the floribundas do that, too. As far as reds, you can't go wrong with Mr. Lincoln (but for some reason I'm not drawn to it) or Chrysler Imperial. Showbiz is a small bright warm red, a real scene stealer. I picked up French Lace, it's a hard to describe pale color fading to white, delicate and slightly ruffled. I second About Face(orange with yellow reverse, fades to pink) and Sexy Rexy (warm pink), or Queen Elizabeth for a cooler look. Elina sounds beautiful for a yellow, but I have experienced Gold Medal(bright yellow) and St. Patrick(lighter than Gold Medal), both great. If you like not too formal looks, Sexy Rexy(pink) and Brass Band(ruffled apricot blend has some pink) are fun, and Iceberg(white, stained pink in cool weather) likes to get huge and sprawling if you let it, which I always do. It looks good by itself or behind others, but it's the whole bush covered in flowers that is striking, not so much the individual blooms. Iceberg is the only white I have found that holds up to the heat, but if hot summer sun is not a concern for you then you have a lot of whites to choose from. I like John F Kennedy and Honor, and Jonn Paul II looks beautiful as well. I also saw Shocking Blue at the nursery and it was more lavender than Angel Face, but I do think Angel Face (pinkish lavender) is easier to blend in, and the blooms are very ruffled. Well, I could go on forever, but I'll stop now :) Have fun and good luck!
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kstrong
14 years ago
Mardi Gras is a GREAT choice. I've grown Sheila's P in the past and considered her stingy with the blooms. Mardi Gras has everything you'd want in a very colorful floribunda -- bloomerific, good form, generally upright habit to between 4 and 5 feet, no mildew and great sprays that last when cut. The only advantage SP has over MG is scent. Otherwise, MG is the far superior rose.

Just my opinion,

Kathy
jaxondel
14 years ago
I agree with everything Kathy said. In my experience, 'Sheila's Perfume' is at its best only when it doesn't have to contend with high heat combined with intense light levels. In your zone, Littletxyard, Mardi Gras would be the better choice.
littletxyard
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for the generous input. I am definitely going to go with Mardi Gras - I already have a few fragrant roses and I know I'd be much happier with one that can handle the heat. I made the mistake of planting Mr. Lincoln earlier this year and while the fragrance is wonderful, the blooms don't even last an hour in the summer sun. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does when the temps cool down.
kentucky_rose zone 6
14 years ago
After 2 seaons, Sheila's Perfume got shovel pruned. The bush didn't meet my expectations. SP was long between cycles, not a lot of blooms, and the heat faded the blooms. I did have a couple of blooms to die for, with fragrance, but I needed cooler temps!
fireflyintexas
14 years ago
Mardi Gras!!!!!!!
petaloid
14 years ago
I have grown Sheila's Perfume for some time. It's a sentimental favorite of mine, with beautiful flowers and glossy foliage, but not a heavy bloomer.

I have seen it growing in England and in my cool, coastal garden with no trace of powdery mildew, but it might well get blackspot in your Texas climate.

Mardi Gras should be a better choice for you.
donnaz5
14 years ago
I grow them both, and Mardis Gras is a far superior bloomer here, SP hates the heat here...can't imagine what it'd be like in Texas!! SP does bloom well in the spring and fall, though..just to throw in another choice...I saw a Disneyland rose in bloom in a friends garden, and I was impressed..I liked the color even better than MG, it was much more vivd..definately on my short list..when I saw it in pics, it didn't impress me...Donna

Mardi Gras or Sheila's Perfume? Help me choose!

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littletxyard
Original Author

kublakan

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jaxondel

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Mardi Gras or Sheila's Perfume? Help me choose!

Comments (9)

littletxyardOriginal Author

kublakan

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kstrong

jaxondel

littletxyardOriginal Author

kentucky_rose zone 6

fireflyintexas

petaloid

donnaz5

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littletxyard
Original Author

littletxyard
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