Here I am scribbling notes "for next year" when I *know* I don't have any more room. I *know* that I shouldn't be searching out new roses to buy. I *know* I just have to have some of these beauties! Nestor, Marechal Davoust, Alfred Columb...oh, my goodness me. How wonderful all of these roses appear, and knowing that you love them I will take it that they are well worth growing. Thanks for sharing these with us, Celeste!

I collected it as a cutting about 3-4 years ago. The mother plant is growing at a former Birmingham High School building. The building is no longer used as a school. I think it has been closed for a long time. The mother plant is growing up out of a privet bush, so it is difficult to judge its mature shape. But it is about 5ft tall. My plant grows in a 'v' shape and is about 4 ft tall. It has matte leaves in sets of 5 and occasionally 3. The foliage is matte green with wrinkles, but not like a rugosa. Very few thorns, small. New growth is green with just a very light orange cast. Intense Damask fragrance. Once bloomer, or at least so far. I have only observed the mother plant in the spring.That is about all I know. I know very little about once bloomers.

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

I think that it's fascinating that you hybridize some yourself. That would be so much fun to see what you can get. The last one you show is, to me, a particularly stunning new rose!! Does it have a good scent since Intrigue is one of the parents? Congratulations!! Betty Boop is a rose that I've often thought of getting, but I always pass on it. But your full bush shot shows how lovely a bush it is and how large and vibrant the flowers are. I just might have to get this one! Carol