'Mary Magdalene'
Here's another David Austin rose that is hard to find and may be fading into oblivion. I got a cutting from a friend, and was able to grow it this year. Straw grows Mary Magdalene very well. It is more beautiful than I expected. Straw describes the fragrance as frankincense/myrrh, and I agree. It brings to my mind Chinese funereal incense. Some photos I have seen of this rose show it pink. But so far for me, it is white with a yellow blush in the center. I'm not sure if it will keep the button eye as the plant matures.
Comments (22)
Biff Jessop
2 years ago
This is my 3 yr old Mary magdalene, the fragrance is fantastic, one of the best of the Austin's, I have 4 of them.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked Biff JessopRelated Discussions
Mary Magdalene vs. Ann Boleyn
Comments (3)According to helpmefind.com, they should both be about the same size, but I don't grow Mary Magdalene, so I can't say for sure. The biggest difference between them seems to be color. Anne Boleyn seems to be pinker, although she is still a pale pink. Mine is the most exquisite pink blend--pale pink with a touch of peach/apricot and a hint of yellow. I love it. Can't tell you much more about AB since mine is still young. At the moment, the rabbits are pruning it for me, unfortunately--hope it survives til spring! Kate...See MoreFavorite roses - by bush appeal
Comments (14)I enjoy what you wrote, WinterCat - I have one like that last year, Austin's Wise Portia. Her leaves are horrid: matte grayish dull, like a toad's skin. She sent octopus cane which made her an octopus-toad mutant. I'm glad that I accidentally killed her by giving her acidic water in the winter meant for azaleas. Thanks, Harmonyp, for that pic. of Blueberryhill. I want MORE mauve roses! You are right that roses are vigorous in SF. My sister bought a house in Discovery Bay, and she killed a few roses since they threatened her citrus trees. Here's the picture of Sonia Rykiel, mentioned by "The Encyclopedia of Roses" as the most perfect rose bush, except for one flaw: droopy neck. But I find that fault very charming, she hangs her buds shyly - SO CUTE like a puppy. It's her best asset, the buds are jammed packed with petals which make the branches curve down like a weeping tree. My next always-blooming bush, even in our patchy frost spring, is Kim Rupert's (Roseseek) creation, Lynnie. Her stems are 100% thornless, very red. Her leaves are shiny and she's always blooming, even as a tiny band....See MoreAny Mary Magdalene Fans?
Comments (13)I love MM, she stays small even in Florida which is quite a feat. She does fine in a pot. This week she is showing a lovely coral pink which happens sometimes. It looks like Lilian Austin. But mostly she is a creamy apricot. It is one of the few roses of any color that is clean in my thrip invested garden: She's lovely in a vase too, here with Classy Carol:...See MoreBest roses of the year - please post your pics.
Comments (13)Thank you, Victoria and Eahamel for more beauties. I have been fantasizing about apple scent in yellow, and Victoria gave the answer, Alberic Barbier. Hansa is great in deep pink. Eahamel, I always love Carefree Beauty here in Chicagoland - it's more stunning than the boring Knock-outs. I'll check out Old Blush and Blush Noisette. My sister in her 60's, who is never married said to me, "I want to give you this advance ... because when I die, I want to leave something beautiful behind." That speaks well for gardeners: the least we can do is to leave behind something beautiful that grace the planet earth after we die. The house at the corner is in foreclosure, abandoned for years. There's a mighty ugly climbing rose that went wild. It's a real eye-sore for the neighborhood. I will NEVER plant climbing rose in my zone 5a, and neither does the rose park nearby. In contrast, I remember the house with a big garden of hybrid teas in front. It was the highlight of my long walk home during my junior high years in Michigan. Someone mentioned Rose de Rescht thrived while abandoned in Illinois. Another mentioned Louis Odier thrived with beauty when no one watered him. That's the type of beauty I'm after. Something that grace the earth, rather than being an eyesore....See Morenoseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)
2 years agonoseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque)
2 years ago
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
2 years agoI love Mary! She can take the heat here with no problem and produces beautiful blooms. Nice fragrance. She reminds me of Sharifa (more apricot than pink) but has a much better plant growth, disease resistance, etc.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
ratdogheads z5b NH
2 years agoFor those who might consider Mary Magdalene and live in a humid climate, I caution that she can be very suscptible to blackspot. She is one of the few roses that I am so hopelessly in love with that I am willing to spray with fungicide. WIthout it, in my climate, she will completely defoliate and has poor to rebloom because she puts the energy into replacing foliage. Mine is grafted on Dr Huey and grows in acidic loam. In addition to her beauty and fragnace, she is quite hardy.
noseometer...(7A, SZ10, Albuquerque) thanked ratdogheads z5b NH
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