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Room for only one: Elle, Bella'roma or Secret?

15 years ago

Am replacing Sheer Bliss, which is too tall and a little too bland. But can't decide among these three on basis of 1) fragrance 2) height (don't want too tall) and 3) color (is Elle actually a sort of salmony pink, like Paul Shirelle? if so, won't work)

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Comments (10)

jerijen
15 years ago
I can only speak to Secret. It was one of the last HTs to leave us, and at one point, we grew three.
It is a handsome, handsome plant, not too tall, beautifully shaped, and well-clothed in foliage.
The pink is not salmony. It's a clear, soft, distinct pink.
The pale parts are creamy.
The fragrance is lovely.
It was always disease-free for us in SoCal.
The form is lovely, and the only real downside, I suppose, is that the stems are a bit short for successful exhibition.

Jeri
Maryl (Okla. Zone 7a)
15 years ago
My vote goes to Secret. In addition to what Jeri said I'll add that it is nicely fragrant. In fact it won the James Alexander Gamble award for fragrance.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
15 years ago
'Secret' wins on fragrance of those three. It is shorter than 'Sheer Bliss' in this garden, and a much better rose all around.
chuck_billie
15 years ago
Mark my ballot for Secret too.
A lovely Rose I wouldn't be without.
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
15 years ago
Secret is a good rose here.

{{gwi:300711}}
bethnorcal9
15 years ago
Well, personally, of the three, I prefer ELLE. But you say you don't want a really tall bush, so that eliminates her! Mine peaks out at 6ft. She blooms waaaay better than the other two tho. For me, BELLA'ROMA has been a dud. Small plant, rarely blooms. SECRET hasn't done all that well for me over the yrs. Mine peaks around 4ft or slightly more, and doesn't really bloom all that great. But when it does bloom, they are beautiful! And of course, the scent is quite nice. So, I guess I'll go along with the rest and say... SECRET!!
Noni Morrison
15 years ago
For me, Bella'roma can not be kept under 6' tall, and the blooms ball badly in any moisture. On the rare occassion of continued dry weather it is wonderful. Here I am lucky to get 2 flushes with it.
phylrae
15 years ago
Our daughter gave me Bella Roma a few years ago, and I agree with Beth....it rarely blooms. The scent is great and the colors are gorgeous, when it DOES bloom. But the JBs get to it before I can get the few blooms cut.

Maybe I'll replace with Secret! :0) Phyl
sunnishine
15 years ago
I have bellaroma and secret. I would also vote secret. It is gorgeous and a great smell.

But here (same zone as you) Bella has a minor balling problem but it is very vigorous and constantly covered in 5-10 blooms.It got to about 5 feet here this year. Secret in not nearly as vigorous.
dublinbay z6 (KS)
15 years ago
I don't know how much larger roses grow in your part of the country, but here is the midwest, Elle stays somewhat shorter (and a bit wider) than my other HTs (like Double Delight, for instance). I would describe Elle as more of a peachy-pink blend (rather than a salmon pink)--with a touch of yellow at the base--lovely pastel blend, in fact--good smeller--reasonably good on disease-resistance--a really fine rose, in other words. You should give it a good look before dismissing it. It doesn't re-bloom quite as fast as some of my other HTs (again, as quickly as Double Delight does), but it isn't bad in that respect, and the blooms are fairly long-lasting.

I really like Elle. Don't know anything about the other two you list, so can't help you there.

Kate

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