Cori Ann, can I make you jealous? several nurseries near me sell this rose. I have to admit I had not heard of it before your post, so thanks for drawing my attention to it. Let me say for now that, I'll think about it. It does sound rather good.

This nursery in my area has it as a standard/tree rose and they write glowingly about it. Style roses Minerva

This site lists several suppliers, some very close to me that offer it too..
rosesuk Minerva

I'll get back to you on this....

Marlorena instead of being jeoulous I am thrilled! I know if you grow it, it would flourish and you would post gorgeous photos.

I just adore French roses. They're so romantic looking and usually have such wonderful fragrance. We don't get the chance to grow too many over here.... but I can happily enjoy yours.

Cori Ann..... I shall grow it especially for you - watch this space....

Oh wait... this one is from Belgium isn't it? Well I guess I love Belgian roses too. ;)

Oh Marlorena you made my day! I am so happy! I can't wait to see how you incorporate it into your garden!

Marlorena you may enjoy this French blog... this is where I discovered Minerva. ;)

http://www.plaisir-jardin.com/article-debrief-du-week-end-120805323.html

I hope to obtain it next week, I'm quite looking forward to it myself, as I'm intrigued by it too. I have 3 places I could put it, but want to give it the fullest sun, and I have those spots more or less prepared already for perennials, but they can go somewhere else...

I think it must be newish here, I've not come across it before... so thanks again for the heads up...

oh gosh they've got some gorgeous rose photos down the page there, I like the look of 'Lavender Dream' too....

Yes I have very similar tastes to the blogger, David Henriet. I love his whole garden. He makes wonderful bouquets and flower arrangements too. It's a great blog!

The rose should be delivered to me on Friday this week, or early next week. I know the company and they're pretty quick at sending these out. I'll post a photo when I've planted it, I'm really looking forward to it now..

Oh, oh. I see another rose I want and cannot get. I need to move (across the pond). Minerva is gorgeous. Diane

ok... this rose will be planted amongst a small bed of similar sized roses that I have ... 3 to 3 and half feet... Austin's 'Scarborough Fair' [blush pink]... 'Mme. Antoine Mari' [blush white]... 'Sir Walter Scott' pink.. along with small Lavenders of various hues... yellow contrast provided by Anthemis 'E.C. Buxton'.. and Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose'..

The central and tallest feature of this bed and right behind this purple'y rose will be one of my favourite grasses Molinia 'Karl Foerster'...

As you can see, a rabid plantaholic is at work here... which does not mean I always know what I'm doing...but who cares ?...

I can't wait to see it this spring! That all sounds wonderful!! I am so elated you got it!

If there are any British viewers here, and I don't suppose there are, I must recommend Style Roses [aka The Fragrant Rose Company] of Lincolnshire. They are near me and I've visited once or twice before, got some nice container roses off them, but they are superlative with their delivery service, I find it second to none. You order one day, they despatch the next, and the day after it arrives by DPD Courier, who email you with a 1 hour time slot. Beautifully packaged too...

I initially thought they only had this rose as a Standard, but looking again I saw they had it as a bush, so here it is below.... I had been wanting a purple floribunda for this bed, I had been thinking of 'Amethyst Star' or 'Ebb Tide', but I'm happy with this one, quite a few wicked thorns though on one cane, but that's ok...

Cori Ann, let's see how it goes in June or July... will let you know of course..
'Amethyst Star'... maybe my next in line...

I have lurked on the Style Roses site from here in California!

Aren't those nice, thick, wonderfully spaced canes wonderful? I'm so excited for you Marlorena. I can't wait for photos and for you to enjoy the lovely fragrance that is described for Minerva.

I could be wrong but this rose looks as if fades badly. Perhaps a reason it would not do well in the States.

You may be right there Patty, we shall see.... it'll be fun to see how it goes..

Cori Ann, thanks... I'm really looking forward to the fragrance..

I actually like the photos of how it may fade to "blue." That's one of the reasons I really loved the look of it! I don't think it would do bad in the states at all! I would happily trial it in my hot and sunny yard with just a bit of afternoon shade. ;)

After reading that blog, I now want Berlingot and Vanilla Fraise!

Any news on Minerva??

Thanks, Ben!

Minerva is beautiful! I guess morning sun would he ideal. It is certainly a stand out color

Ben, your Minerva color is die for!

Thanks everyone, like all the purples, Minerva’s color was best on cool sunny days. It burned easily too, but when it was nice it was a real super purple.

In defense of Twilight Zone,I still like it the best of all purples, and mine is dark no matter what the weather is like. And believe me, we have dry heat. Diane

Early July 2023

Blurry August.

You can get MINERVA from several Etsy stores. She was one of the first ones I bought. These are photos from last summer. She doesn't fade much. Blooms were a little small, but I think once the plant gets better established they'll be bigger.

Ben, Minerva is a very popular rose in Europe, but I never saw such deep color.

And all of your roses show very intense color. Do you use any special fertilizer and what is your soil pH? Just curios.