April Hamer was bred by Ron Bell. It is about 30 - 40 years old. It is a Hybrid Tea rose. Creamy white with mid - coral pink around the top half of the outer petals. I think it was considered a good rose for showing in its day and can look very good on the Show bench still. It looks very pretty in bud and half opened stage, but is extremely ugly as a full blown rose. It doesn't have much scent to speak of. As a cut flower it has a bit more staying power than most Austin Roses. I have only had mine for 2 years and it was a very sad plant when I bought so I think its growth has been set back considerably. Keeping that in mind mine isn't very vigorous and hasn't produced many flowers yet. April Hamer is not a commonly grown rose, but despite all of her difficulties I do rather like her. Vivienne

Interesting that it could be introduced in the States, when your authorities have banned import of roses from Oz. How can this happen. April Hamer was bred in Oz by Ron Bell about 20 years ago. It's a medium-sized HT bloom in an off white with faint pink edging to the petals or running through them. Only an average grower. Not much fragrance, nor a free bloomer. Used mainly for exhibition out here. Pleasant enough, but no show stopper. Named after the wife of a very popular premier of Victoria in Oz.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2112274}}

I've grown it in two separate gardens and April Hamer has been great for me in both. The plant growth is slender and angular - doesn't grow beyond 3.5 feet for me. I most love the young shoots/growth - a beautiful shade of dusky purple-red. Also - not very thorny. Vivianne's right - cut it whilst the bloom is young and you get that bi-colour effect cleanly ...

{{gwi:2112278}}

{{gwi:2112279}}

otherwise - once the sun gets to it, it turns into one messy yuckky bloom ...

{{gwi:2112280}}

But I'm fond of her ... and will probably grow another in my next garden.