See the thread I started below.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3596802/those-purple-hybrid-china-gallica-centifolia-roses?n=23

:-)

~Christopher

Thanks, Christopher. I really do appreciate you taking the time to be so helpful.

How about Vielchenblau? Once bloomer, but very healthy and seriously shade tolerant. HMF says it is cold tolerant to zone 4. Likes my zone 9.

I have Excellenz von Schubert, which I love. The grape-like clusters of little flower are definitely a rosy lilac in color. They appear more cupped in the spring flush, perhaps because of the cooler weather. Leaves also beautiful, I think. http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=21.15469

Hermosa?

Sweet Chariot and Vineyard Song are also good.

I agree with Jackie's Veilchenblau suggestion. A wonderful rose! I am downsizing my (tiny) garden but adding a few favorites. Veilchenblau is one on the honored few. It's that purple and that good! I also grow Violette which would probably thrive for you, too. She's another multiflora hybrid and really deep, yummy red-purple. In your area, I would give these ramblers partial shade. They should bloom just fine. I'm big on purple gallicas here in Portland, OR, but except for CdR, which you mentioned, I think other classes perform better in OK. Baby Faurax is a nice little mauve polyantha and should do well in your climate. A personal favorite of mine is Basye's Purple, developed by Dr. Robert Basye and much loved by the Texas A&M crowd...and me! Carol

Basyes and Vineyard Song are outstanding in my garden! Susan

And Veilchenblau is a BEAST! Violette is very pretty too. I grow Violette with Celine Forestier and a clematis and I like the combination.

Susan

You've got some good suggestions here. I'll mention that 'Lauren' is a pretty purple polyantha (say it 10 times fast!); it's not an old rose, and I haven't noticed much fragrance, but it's a nice, compact plant with an old-fashioned look that I'm sure you could find a place for.

Virginia

'Indigo' is a purplish Damask Perpetual (or Portland) that you may want to investigate. As mentioned, there are a few purplish Polyanthas and related Multiflora ramblers. And that thread I linked about the once-blooming purple OGRs has a bunch mentioned. A final source for "old-look" purplish roses would be among David Austin's roses. I have 'The Prince' and 'Prospero', which turn a very dark purple upon opening, and 'Munstead Wood' is often praised here. Many of his "crimsons" will age to a purplish color.

:-)

~Christopher

I used to grow a little found rose called Winecup, named for a wildflower. Mine was planted in shade and didn't get much fussing over. It was never very big for me- about 2' tall or so- but was healthy and tough as old boots. In a better spot it would probably have been bigger. It was a single, maybe not the best for cutting and would go past quickly in heat of summer but a good bloomer with a light fragrance that bloomed like my polyanthas. The color was indeed like winecups. Unfortunately, several years ago it fell prey to a vole. I keep meaning to replace it but haven't done so.

Thank you everyone, there are some wonderful suggestions here! I appreciate your efforts and beautiful pictures and the links to sone of them.