I love your photo of that gorgeous hunk of rose called Evelyn. She's my favorite rose in fact, and has put me through my paces a few times (I now have four of these beauties, down from five). Beautiful photo, and yes, wonderful scent. Diane

Oh, I soooo agree!!! I love Evelyn!!!! Your picture is wonderful!!! The yellow peeking behind gives the rose up front more focus (IMHO).

So is the beautiful flower an orchid?? Wish I could smell it!

Carol

Oh my goodness she is gorgeous. I've added a couple more this yr and added a couple last yr so can't wait for them to mature. She's simply beautiful! Judy

Sincerely100, are you saying your Evelyn is over nine feet wide? I could only grow one if mine were that large. The height of yours is similar to mine, though. Are you in a warm zone? I know that can make a difference. Your Evelyn is more like my Brother Cadfael in width--and I only have one of BC for sure. Do you grow your orchids outside or in a greenhouse? The cream/white orchid above is so lovely with its subtle coloring, but lots of frills. Diane

I didn't know that orchids can look so unusual!!! Striking!!

Carol

Hi Diane,

yes I am in Zone 10 so Evelyn was 10x10 feet within 6 months after planting. It was producing basals like nobody's business all summer.

I also enrich my sandy soil +++ before planting of course. All my roses are on Fortuniana which adds to the vigour.

I have just planted Brother Cadfael and it's getting cold here now in Australia so it will not get big until next Spring. I heard it is big so have left 10 feet of space for it as well.

My Frederic Mistral is also 10 x 10 x 7 feet. It is always flowering. It took 3 years to become very productive though.

Hi Carol orchids come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and colours. I used to be a regular prize winner with orchids when I took them to shows but I haven't got time for that now. I don't have a hot house or green house. Just outside under cover near the house. They have thrived on neglect.

Drop dead gorgeous -- both! I got an Evelyn after reading about Diane's, and am only sorry it's planted where I won't see or smell it 'till it's a lot bigger.

Interestingly Evelyn just won most fragrant at the South Metro Rose Show.

Really, they thrive on neglect?!! I always thought orchids were really fussy. How wonderful!!!

Carol

Hi Carol, Yes there are thousands of different orchid variaties and if you choose those that suit your climate they really do thrive on neglect. For me the cool temperate orchids such as Coelogynae and Miltoniopsis are hard to grow as it's just too warm here but you may find those easy for you! Most of my orchids flower in late autumn through winter to Spring which is great as there are less roses during the colder months. If you like the smell of vanilla and chocolate than you'd love Stanhopea. These produce striking flowers that hang down and smell strongly of dessert.

Evelyn smells wonderful again this afternoon and I have noticed that it smells almost identical to Crimson Glory today. Yum!!!!!!!

Want one right now! :-)

Sooo pretty!!

Evelyn has done it again this morning. She smells like a very very heavy Munstead Wood/Frederic Mistral today. I have noticed that the fragrance of this rose is temperamental. In Spring and Summer her fragrance comes and goes and is only moderate, but once the temperature cools down in Autumn - WOWOWOW unbelievably strong fragrance!

Oh wow!!! Lucky you!! Wish I could smell it too!!!

Carol

Anyone knows if Evelyn or Teasing Georgia smell like jasmine flowers? For the last two season, my garden has that jasmine fragrance but I can't tell from which rose since they are grown near each other.

Neither smell like jasmine to my nose and I have different types of jasmines too.

I bought a plant last spring from DA in Texas just for the fragrance eveyone was raving about, when it bloomed I was VERY dissapointed as I could hardly detect any at all... Color seemed correct, will hope for better fragrance this spring.....

I love your orchids!! My Evelyn is developing some buds. Looking forward to her fragrance. I have been putting coffee grounds on her in the mornings.

~SJN

Steve I had the same experience with Evelyn, I was so excited for her to bloom so I could smell her wonderful fragrance and she finally bloomed and nothing, I could smell nothing, major disappointment. But after she bloomed several times she developed a fragrance I could smell and it is divine.

So don't give up just yet, there are some roses I can't smell but I can smell Evelyn, it just took her some time. Also try smelling her first thing in the morning, some roses smell stronger in the morning and then as the day goes by the fragrance fades, I cant remember off hand why that happens but I know I read it on the forum lol.

I have to find this rose plant for my new house. I am amazed at it's beauty. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Fragrance Nutter, I love your orchids! And Evelyn too - I have one and the peach fragrance is amazing. Would love some advice about which orchids you would recommend for a relative beginner - I'd like to diversify my very basic collection of mainly Phalaenopsis! Are you on the orchid forum? Should I post a question there? Thanks :)

Hi Brightstar, which zone are you in and what are your growing conditions for your orchids - indoors, outdoors etc? I am not on the orchid forum so if you want my answers in particular I wouldn't get you to post there.

Thanks for replying! I'm in Sydney, zone 10b too. I could do either indoors or outdoors, I'd love some more unusual ones for indoors. I've got a few nice spots with bright indirect light and not too hot/cool/drafty, but admittedly I do struggle with some of the more temperamental indoor plants. Hopefully I'll keep improving!

I love the idea of the fragrant orchids, I've also looked at Vandas and Paphs. I read that Paphs can handle slightly lower light? At the moment I only have Cymbidiums outside, one Cattleya and some Phals - I definitely need more! What would you recommend for indoors in Sydney? Can Zygopetalums live inside happily?

Also wondering if there is an online orchid retailer you would particularly recommend?

Ok Brightstar, you'll be able to grow most orchids in Sydney. I have never tried buying orchids online so can't help you with that. One thing to consider is to visit your local orchid club. That is a great way to increase your collection and you'll also be able to see some really unusual ones that other members grow. Paphs comes in all sort of shape and sizes and some will flower in low light conditions although I grow them in the same area as my Cymbids. You should be able to grow Cattleya, Soft cane Dendrobiums, Australian native Dendrobiums, Zygopetalums, Lycaste, Paphs, Oncidiums, Miltonia and Encyclias with normal Cymbidium conditions. The Phalaenopsis are the ones that will need a bit less light and more winter warmth than the others. You should be able to grow Miltoniopsis too if you have a cooler spot. Vandas and Hardcane Dendrobiums will need winter protection or they will not thrive in Sydney. I bought most of my plants through orchid clubs and local orchid nurseries and swapping plants with other orchid club members etc. You'll be amazed what's in people's collections when you visit a club. Cheers