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Eden vs. Geoff Hamilton?

noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)

3 years ago

This may be a mute question since Geoff Hamilton is nearly impossible to find. I’ve considered Eden to be one of the most beautiful roses ever created ever since a trip to Paris where there were many of them, looking just incredible. I have two Edens, one in “the spot of death” that is alive but won’t grow more than 12” tall after several years. The other about 6’ tall and kept that height by the intense winds that “prune” any parts that grow above the wall that it’s against. Eden in my garden is essentially a once bloomer, unless the thrips win, then it‘s a non-bloomer. Is is also nearly scentless. I find the summer-heat blooms to be unattractive and I ignore or remove them. Geoff Hamilton looks similar in the photos, with pink centers and white outer petals In a cup shaped bloom. It gets variable reviews but is said to be repeat blooming and fragrant. A spot has opened up at my front gate and I’m debating whether to move the unhappy Eden there (or pot pets Nahema or Annie Laurie McDowell). Since the color scheme of my front yard is white (roses) and purple (lavender and salvia), Eden could work better than the pot pets which are more pink. But would Geoff Hamilton be a better option? Opinions please?

Featured Answer

Krista_5NY

3 years ago

Geoff Hamilton is outstanding, I grow two of them. It's hardy, light repeat bloom. It has a moderate sweet fragrance with a note of strawberry. Mine are 3-4 feet tall.

Geoff Hamilton and Lavender Lassie

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Comments (9)

flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
3 years ago
This will probably not help at all since our climates are so different. Almost everyone agrees that Eden is a slow starter. Mine took FOREVER to get going. Year 4 was the make or break year, and I'm glad I waited. Year 5, they were covered in blooms almost all season. One in particular just doesn't stop blooming. That one is near a rain spout and gets a little shade. All own root.

Geoff Hamilton, bare root, was new last year and took off nicely. The half that survived a run in with an ATV was doing well and blooming by end of the season. The blooms are lighter and more cupped than Eden.

I was surprised how fast Nahema, bare root, grew and how much she blooms. Her perfume is wonderful. But, you know all that since you have her.

You didn't ask, but St. Cecilia is an even lighter pink than Geoff. She fades to white and has a similar cupped form and lovely fragrance. The bush might be a little bigger than Geoff.

Any one of these roses would be so beautifully romantic at a gate.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
K S 7b Little Rock (formerly of Seattle)
3 years ago
Like Flowersaremusic I'm in a very different climate too, so my experience is also probably not going to help, but my Eden still has blooms on it now and bloomed profusely all summer. It is mature now, and like Flowers I had to wait until it was a few years old before it started to repeat reliably. It is situated in full sun, all day, with reflected heat coming off of buildings behind it.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked K S 7b Little Rock (formerly of Seattle)
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noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for your comments. Now I’ve got to decide...Eden, Geoff, Nahema or Annie in that spot!
Aaron Rosarian Zone 5b
3 years ago
@Krista_5NY That's stunning! Geoff Hamilton looks like Earth Angel but slightly pinker and with a slightly looser peony shape. How do you think its repeat is compared to EA? I may have to replace the EAs I have if they prove as stingy as people on this forum suggest.
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
3 years ago
Where oh where do we get Geoff ! Do you believe I left one in Tennessee, and at Cecilia too. Surely it’s been removed by now . Ugh
Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
3 years ago
Heirloom has it listed as growing.

So it should be available in the spring ?? Hopefully
oursteelers 8B PNW
3 years ago
Hummingbird has them on their list but I don’t know if they’re in stock
Krista_5NY
3 years ago
Aaron, I doubt the repeat will be better than Earth Angel. The main flush of Geoff Hamilton is excellent, but the repeat bloom is not continuous or substantial.

I grow First Crush, another Kordes Floribunda. It, too, has light repeat bloom, but it's not as large a rose or as floriferous as Geoff in June.

David Austin might re-stock Geoff Hamilton in June when they update their website for the spring 2022 shipping.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked Krista_5NY

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