You know that the actual rose in question was 'Old Blush' -- right?

That makes perfect sense Jeri, though it might never have occurred to me. Old Blush is a rose I don't have. The wind is bitter cold now and snow is on the nearby mountains. The trees are taking their turn with fiery colors on the landscape. I have one last Abraham Darby hanging face down to the ground that I lift to draw faint scent from. It will be a long time until the roses bloom again.

The photos of Alice are very beautiful Justin.

'Alice Hamilton' looks quite a bit like 'Old Blush' in the bloom . . . But it's a far healthier plant -- at least it is in this area.

'Old Blush' is a terrible mildewer here. 'Alice Hamilton' is aboundingly healthy.

A lovely recording, Berrypie! There's also an elegant recording by Kiri te Kanawa posted on YouTube. I'm a fan of both KtK and opera, and I grow the blue-purple clematis that carries her name. Perhaps I need to acquire another Old Blush and grow the two together?

Justin, that Alice Hamilton variant is particularly tempting after viewing your photos. Absolutely charming! Do you mind if I ask which nursery sells this particular OB? After I submit my comment, I'm heading over to HMF to search for AH. When roses are named after people who grow or propagate them, I want to know more!

I wish the Chinas were a bit happier in Portland. I used to grow a number of them, and OB was a favorite of mine for its delicate clusters of flowers, for its long bloom season and, perhaps most of all, for its ancient history. Carol

Justin, Reverence for Roses? I just saw your AH photo on that thread...when I popped over to say, "Get thee behind me, enablers!" Carol

Allow me just one more enabling comment Carol; in the old thread Jeri posted "Admiring Alice Hamilton", the collective photo has one of the most perfect rosebuds there could be.

Ha, ha. That may be the last straw, Berrypie, the one that broke my willpower and returned an OB-type China rose to my PNW landscape! Our summers are becoming quite dry and toasty now.... :-) Carol

When I had Old Blush I was always put off by the mildew, which often showed itself at the "neck" of the rose, right beneath the bloom, which is why I've never grown it in this garden. Like Carol, I was always intrigued by the fact that this is such an ancient rose, and that I could have this piece of history in my garden. Alice Hamilton sounds like an intriguing rose.

That's why we have 2 of AH. It has the charm of OB, but without the problems. I also have (see below) "The China From Adina," which we collected in my family's cemetery in Adina, TX. It's very likely a chance seedling of OB, which finally outgrew the mildew.

I love the bee's taste in roses, lately the daintier blooms attract me, especially pink.

My Grandmother read Fairy Tales to me in her German/New Jersey accent. The China From Adina looks like a Thumbelina bed.

Carol, yes, the "Alice Hamilton" came from A Reverence for Roses. I hope people grow her.

Justin

Thanks, Justin! Carol

This is the hardest year yet , there were not many blooms. I'm not ready to let go of seeing them, if i can have just a few more to remember what they look like and the perfume...

My son is the in-house weatherman, he informed me within a week there might be frost. My first ever surprise rose baby that came up, Strawberry Hill is just now showing color on her first buds, I hope they have time to open.

Little Vick's Caprice made it's entrance with a dozen exquisite pale lavender/pink blooms at the first of Summer, then went to sleep. There were a handful of Paul Neyron blooms, only a few on Reine des Violettes. They were new babies this year , and will officially be old Old Garden Roses next year , able to flower more. I never feel it was enough, so hard to say goodbye Roses, sleep well .