Ok, so this is my first season with this one. Yes, that is how the leaves look, although it is very disease resistant. The blooms do tend to bloom near the tips this the photo shows, however, there are soo many-I find it to rebloom really well for a climber. And the fragrance is intoxicating! Smells up my garden! You could always plant another plant like clematis or another rose with it to hide the curled leaves. Also, it is relatively thornless, another plus for training it laterally!

Kelly...You're a great person to ask since it's your first season with Nahema.... do you think the canes will train laterally in your young rose? Are they too stubborn and stiff like some say?

How do you think Nahema would do laterally along a fence or wall sharing the space with Felicite et Perpetue? If they're spaced appropriately.

I love the little leaves on Felicite et Perpetue. And since it's just a once bloomer... the bloom of Nahema with the leaves of Felicite et Perpetue could be a lovely match. The growth patterns might also really complement each other.

Or.... they could eat go to war and eat each other.

I quickly grabbed a photo of Felicite et Perpetue from David Austin's site for a visual (although for anyone out there wondering.... this is not a DA rose)...

I think that sounds lovely, although I am in a totally different climate than you. We don't see too many house eating plants aside from wisteria and honey suckle. I think it would be great trained laterally along a fence. Pretty bendy but not in a circle...

Thank you so much Kelly. Anyone out there train Nahema laterally and have photos? Do the laterals still have lollipop blooms? Thank you for sharing your experiences. :)

Ok, Ill try again with the pics...

Here's the leaves...

produces lots of hips too!

Here is another smaller plant that the rabbits have been nibbling...

I planted Quietness in front of mine and Fields of the wood behind it..(The larger one-must be a few years old although only purchased in March).

Cori Ann -- This is a bit OT but I got an email today from my North Bay Rose Society group letting me know about a presentation on climbing roses this coming Monday, Oct 24 at the Contra Costa Rose Society. I'm not sure I can attend but it seems like something you might like. The paste below is from CCRS announcement.

Program:

We have an impressive speaker, Joe Truskot, all the way from Salinas to present a power point program on the "Benefits of Climbing Roses". He will address some of their advantages like hardiness, ability to add height to your garden design, and the additional security they can add to your yard. Besides the varieties that grow well in this area, he will explain several horticultural practices which will increase bloom and reduce dead wood.

All this rose information from a man with a most impressive biography: Joe Truskot has grown more than 500 different varieties of roses since 1992. Most recently, he was named Outstanding Consulting Rosarian for 2016 in the NCNH District of the American Rose Society. Joe will bring copies of his book, "Central Coast Rose Manual" providing practical advice on growing roses in our area.

Professionally, Joe Truskot, is the features editor at the Salinas Californian, the oldest continuously publishing newspaper in CA. For six years he hosted a Classical Music program on Central Coast Public Radio. For 20 years he was the executive director of the Monterey Symphony. And there is more...you will meet him on Monday, October 24th!

Directions to 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA

Heading South on Rt 680:

Take the Willow Pass Road exit, turn right, cross Contra Costa Blvd then go straight up Taylor Blvd to Civic and make a right.

Heading North on Rt. 680:

Take the Willow Pass Road exit.
At the light, turn left onto Willow Pass Road.

Go straight, cross Contra Costa Blvd to Taylor Road and turn right on Civic Dr

Ann

I would like that Ann! You're right! I usually have an ongoing meeting on Monday nights... but maybe I could find a way to go. Thank you so much for the info! I truly appreciate it.

You're very welcome! It's looking like I can go so I'm looking forward to it.

Ann

Rose Barni has a plant of Nahema in their display garden. It had finished blooming, but I could see that the hips on it were all basically at the top of the tall, stiff-looking plant,so I kind of have excluded this one from my wish list because of this trait. I alredy have James Galway irritating me by acting like a giant-size HT...

So the new leaves on Nahema are quite beautiful and not like the mature leaves that look like holly leaves at all. Just thought I would share for others out there that are nitpicky about foliage like me.

The new leaves on Nahema are quite serrated on the edges and really gorgeous.

I wonder when they will take on that funky holly appearance. Maybe once buds start forming? It will be fun to see.

So far, I'm really happy I got a few of these (bareroot from Palatine). They seem very healthy and are leafing out nicely. I will be tying the canes laterally across to a trellis and also arching them up and over a garden arch. Let's see what happens! ;)

I can't wait to see how it does for you!! I just ordered one from roses unlimited.. but it won't ship til the end of April?!!! So far away .., lol

i also called the nursery in Arizona you recommend to ask about shipping purple lodge and one other. And the girl said you know we just had someone order from California so I don't see why not ? And I thought it may be you they are speaking of. :)

the owner hasn't called me back yet but I am considering it !

I saw a mature Nahema in Tasmania a couple of years ago, and thought it looked and smelt beautiful.

Trish

I should mention that Nahema is the one on the right. :-) The left is The Little Prince.

I agree with you, Cori Ann. Thanks to this forum I got my Nahema last fall. And I'm so glad I did that. The color is so delicate. The fragrance is fresh. I love this rose. Aphids loved it too :)

Beautiful roses ladies !! Natasha where did you get yours ?

I got one last year from Coolroses and one from Ludwigs. I ordered another one from Palantine this year just in case they didnt make it through my harsh winter. Now I have one on Dr Huey, one own root, and now one on multiflora. Coolroses sent the biggest plant I have ever seen!

Nice, Kelly, now you will be able to compare which one is doing better in your conditions :)

Lilyfinch, mine is Ludwig's grafted on Dr. Huey I believe. I wish I didn't have that much aphids this spring when it was actively growing so it could show me it's real beauty... But regardless, I fell in love (quantity of images I posted here proves this fact :))

Does anyone know if Nahema will grow as a free-standing rose?

I wouldn't try it in my climate. It's growing fast and wanting to reach far. With a scent like this I think it makes more sense to attach it to something nose height or higher and train it laterally for more blooms. :-)

Ladies... How are your Nahemas doing? Updates please... if you don't mind a pic or two too :) :)

I'd love to hear an update on these.

I got a second Nahema after my first one failed, and was so eager for those fragrant flowers. After this first season, I would agree: weird holly-like twisted droopy leaves. Definitely a climber and not growing like it would make a nice bush. Flowers are beautiful and fragrant, but not more fragrant than other fragrant roses in my garden. Those leaves are a serious turn-off for me though.

Hello..after reading all comments, l decided to grow it especially, due to its disease resistant.

I place the pot under my grapevines infected with Rust fungus & behind my peppers badly infected with the nasty # Anthracnose as the Northeast Monsoon in Malaysia is no joke.

I bought it from a friend's nursery far north & it arrived last 22 of November &.looking as you all described it....droopy, curved foliage but, l think it's cute ....hahaaa

Today, 3rd of December , it rewarded me with the strongest fresh & fruity scent once l opened my front door :)

Cute N pinky blossom indeed :)

My other Bird's eye chilli is infested with aphids & Mealy bugs but, somehow they spared my Nahema :)

I give it a 5 * for scent!

I am glad you are happy with NAHEMA.

For me it was a disappointment. I planted NAHEMA as a substitute for HERITAGE (which is one of Nahema's parents and similarly colored). I was hoping for improved vase life, disease resistance, and fragrance (not a fan of the scent on Heritage). It was all these things but at the cost of slow repeat bloom and as others mentioned, the awkward growth habit. Vase life of the blooms (when I got them) was only improved by a day. Better black spot resistance was appreciated but the warped leaves made the plant look sick anyway. I did like that it had almost zero thorns and the fragrance was out of this world but I've seen Hybrid Teas that made more attractive plants. That growth habit really irked me. The thing could not decide if it wanted to be a climber or a shrub and did not look attractive grown either way. I got more satisfaction out of HERITAGE despite its faults. I eventually replaced NAHEMA with EARTH ANGEL, a Kordes floribunda, and have been happy with it ever since.