No, can't help you; in fact I was thinking of getting a Semi-Plena bare-rooted this winter. Let us know how you get on. Janine

Is this the White Rose of York Tom? The rose they grow in Bulgaria as a hedge around the damasks grown for attar of roses. It must be vigorous with plenty of healthy foliage.
I never like white roses until I discovered the Albas. Alas I can't grow them here in Qld and can only envy those who live elsewhere. I would have thought WA too hot as well. How do you grow them Tom? Do you have a sheltered garden. Love to see pics of it. Do you have any to share?
Alba semi-plena makes a wonderful show in any picture I have seen with its yellow stamens - in the same way as Complicata and others. It's a special beauty. I felt it the first time I saw an old rose growing in a garden. Before that I cared nothing for roses.
I wish you luck in your search . Wish I could help.

Franny, it's hard to find it. Rose nurseries are switching their interest from old roses to new candy coloured hybrids and we can't do much about it. I might do another thing, and that's move to Victoria actually. Then when I find some time, I'll look for it.

Alba Semiplena is indeed a wonderful rose. I visited many countries in Europe in spring 2002 and was in Bulgaria too. In those foggy and cold valleys they grow innumerable Albas and Damasks, and that tradition lasts for centuries. But not in Bulgaria only; in Romania too. I didn't have a chance to see how they produce attar, but was able to buy some rose oil in Istanbul; incredibly fragrant and potent and it's not very expensive at all.

They grow lots of Damasks in Turkey too, together with Albas and some species roses. You can buy potpourri in any colour almost, sprinkled with rose perfume.

The story of Alba Semiplena doesn't start with the Rose of York. And it doesn't end there. It's an old rose, found on paintings of Botticelli, Durer and other masters. There are frescoes of Giotto that depict scenes with some white (rose?) flowers that resemble to Semiplena. But Giotto didn't enjoy those luscious details like Boticelli in his art, so we cannot say what's on his frescoes. But there's one particularly beautiful watercolour of Semiplena with wild berries made by Durer.

Also, in and around many sacred places in Europe (Lourdes, Fatima) it grows in abundance and in the spring, churches are decorated with flowers. There are also many local stories that say more about mystical appearances of Mary; often, it is said in Fatima, her appearance is preceeded by a shower of heavenly silence and fragrant white rose petals are falling from the sky. Many times I was wondering .. fragrant rose petals .. of which white rose? Semiplena?

Who knows. In Lourdes, it is known by remarks of pope Pius XII, when Mary appeared (it was February) in front of her was some rose bush growing, and althought it was winter still, it bloomed in magnificient way. It is said that was a speckled rose. Bicolour? We have more clue now, but it's still hard to say which rose was that. And then again, during some appearances in Lourdes, a shower of white rose petals came from above. Semiplena?

Well ... I leave that to you. Old roses, and especially Albas, have some special place in the history of human race and for those and many other reasons I'm looking for it; to grow and adore it. Franny, I believe Albas are ok for growing in Oz because they bloom before hot days come, so you can enjoy their heavenly perfume, and if they're planted in semishade, they'll be just fine. Go for it! I love it, you love it, and David Austin (you can read that intimate statement in his new book) devoted whole new group of his roses to Albas; The Alba Group. He loves them. I believe in those misty valleys of Shropshire he's growing dozens of new Alba hybrids and crosses them with his favourites to introduce something...

Mrs Thomas at "Thomas for Roses" would have "Alba Semi plena - listed by them as - Clusters of flat single milk white flowers with golden stamens, very fragrant, 5'x5'

Telephone 08 8389 7795

Tom it is also in the Mistydowns catalogue....MM.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alba Semi Plena

What wonderful pictures we paint with our heart. I went to bed thinking of white petals falling from the sky. Thank you for that Tom.
I checked what roses Alexander Macleay mentioned in his garden notes back in 1840. There was Celeste, Maiden's Blush, Double White, Dr Beligina and Spineless Virgin. No mention of semiplena unfortunately because he sold plants and would have given cuttings to friends. But I suppose they would not naturalize anyway if grown on their own roots.
I am not familiar with the last two roses. What a name for a rose - Spineless Virgin!

I am tempted to have a go. Must find a shady spot first though.

Please send us a pic of semiplena when you finally grow it as I am sure you will.

Of course it's available also at Reliable Roses in Victoria. See www.reliableroses.com.au, along with the largest range of OGRs. Note from the image that blooms are semi-double, not single.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2112216}}

Thanks everyone, thanks Lozza.
As I said, I'll probably move to Victoria anyway (family calls), and will visit your nursery. Looking forward to get some precious gems.
- Tom

I hear this Semi-plena grows big enough to be a small climber - can it be easily kept as a 5 ft shrub or is that spoiling it? I have been considering buying one too but didn't really need another climber.
Janine

Janine, Semiplena is an Alba, so it is specific. It's not like some ordinary born-to-be-climber, but rather grows like a huge bush, all directions. Say, 2.5 x 2.5 m. So it looks like a smallish tree with very long and dense branches. You can tame it, of course. In its appearance it's not an everyday rose, and fits best in cottage style gardens. If you have some modern style garden, put it in some corner in the back. Btw, when planting, add around some foxgloves, lavender or blue salvia (for ground cover, you can buy blue verbena or similar blue flowers)-- they'll make excellent companions to your Alba, plus the colour contrast (white > blue) will be eye catching.