Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

On 23/11/2017 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

Where are you? the type of ground and climate will determine what does
well in your area.
Some of the roses that have the best scent have the least vigour and
down here dont do well. there are also many different sorts of scents
from roses the bulk of scented ramblers smell the same as apple blossom
and tend not to be available in strong colours, while the old hybrid
teas have the scent associated with ladies perfume, and some like Rosa
bracteata smell strongly of lemons

--
Charlie Pridham
Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk

In article ,
says...

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

Some roses flower the whole summer long, some don't.
A rose that isn't in flower has no scent.

Janet.

On 23 Nov 2017 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

The best scented rose we have is one called Gertrude Jeykl. Can be a
bush or a climber depending on pruning, pink old fashioned rose type,
Very hardy and disease free.
Originally bought to climb a tree but when we cut the tree down we
turned it into a bush.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden

On 23 Nov 2017 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

The best scented rose we have is one called Gertrude Jeykl. Can be a
bush or a climber depending on pruning, pink old fashioned rose type,
Very hardy and disease free.
Originally bought to climb a tree but when we cut the tree down we
turned it into a bush.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden

On 23/11/17 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

We were in the same situation as you a few years ago. We thought a visit
to Mottisfont would be helpful, but it wasn't. We saw a number of roses
we liked but many didn't seem to be available commercially.

So we went to a specialist rose nursery (Pocock's, next to the Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in Hampshire). That was the best
decision we ever made. We could see and smell all the roses they had. We
bought 6, and have been very pleased with them. I could list them, but
your preferences might be different, so you really must see and smell
them yourself. It would be best to do it fairly locally, but west Wales
isn't exactly known for rose suppliers! If you don't want to go too far,
there is a Wyevale at Carmarthen. They should have quite a few in flower
in June/July.

--

Jeff

Jeff Layman wrote:

On 23/11/17 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

We were in the same situation as you a few years ago. We thought a visit
to Mottisfont would be helpful, but it wasn't. We saw a number of roses
we liked but many didn't seem to be available commercially.

So we went to a specialist rose nursery (Pocock's, next to the Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in Hampshire). That was the best
decision we ever made. We could see and smell all the roses they had. We
bought 6, and have been very pleased with them. I could list them, but
your preferences might be different, so you really must see and smell
them yourself. It would be best to do it fairly locally, but west Wales
isn't exactly known for rose suppliers! If you don't want to go too far,
there is a Wyevale at Carmarthen. They should have quite a few in flower
in June/July.

Thank you. This tells me that I've really left it too late if I want
to plant something next Spring. Carmarthen is eminently doable from
here so I'll check Wyevale out later on. I would like to make a start
though, partly out of a sense that I don't have all the time in the
world any more, so any lists of people's favourites, and why, would be
appreciated. I could at least look at pictures and start compiling a
list of possibilities of my own.

Bob Hobden wrote:

On 23 Nov 2017 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

The best scented rose we have is one called Gertrude Jeykl. Can be a
bush or a climber depending on pruning, pink old fashioned rose type,
Very hardy and disease free.
Originally bought to climb a tree but when we cut the tree down we
turned it into a bush.

Thanks for this. I have just seen the problem with pictures and
catalogues, though, as no two show the same colour!

Charlie Pridham wrote:

On 23/11/2017 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

Where are you? the type of ground and climate will determine what does
well in your area.
Some of the roses that have the best scent have the least vigour and
down here dont do well. there are also many different sorts of scents
from roses the bulk of scented ramblers smell the same as apple blossom
and tend not to be available in strong colours, while the old hybrid
teas have the scent associated with ladies perfume, and some like Rosa
bracteata smell strongly of lemons

Now you know I'm in South West Wales, and that the soil I'd describe
as a clayish loam, and well-drained because of being a terrace, would
that lead you to recommend anything in particular?

Janet wrote:

In article ,
says...

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

Some roses flower the whole summer long, some don't.

Names?

A rose that isn't in flower has no scent.

I've an idea I would have suspected that even if you hadn't told me,
but it's good to have it confirmed! :-)

Are you growing roses? Do you have a favourite variety?

Janet.

On 25/11/17 02:32, brian mitchell wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

On 23/11/17 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

We were in the same situation as you a few years ago. We thought a visit
to Mottisfont would be helpful, but it wasn't. We saw a number of roses
we liked but many didn't seem to be available commercially.

So we went to a specialist rose nursery (Pocock's, next to the Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in Hampshire). That was the best
decision we ever made. We could see and smell all the roses they had. We
bought 6, and have been very pleased with them. I could list them, but
your preferences might be different, so you really must see and smell
them yourself. It would be best to do it fairly locally, but west Wales
isn't exactly known for rose suppliers! If you don't want to go too far,
there is a Wyevale at Carmarthen. They should have quite a few in flower
in June/July.

Thank you. This tells me that I've really left it too late if I want
to plant something next Spring. Carmarthen is eminently doable from
here so I'll check Wyevale out later on. I would like to make a start
though, partly out of a sense that I don't have all the time in the
world any more, so any lists of people's favourites, and why, would be
appreciated. I could at least look at pictures and start compiling a
list of possibilities of my own.

These are the 6 we bought from Pocock's:
Deep Secret - fabulous deep red colour, almost velvety petals with (most
unusually for a red rose) an amazingly strong and very attractive scent.
Margaret Merrill - a pure white rose with a strong scent.
Golden Wedding - a well-known fine yellow-coloured rose with a good scent.
Chris Beardshaw - pink rose with good scent.
Blue For You - violet colour with fairly good scent.
Bowled Over - good orange colour with a fair scent.

If I had to choose just one, it would be "Deep Secret". It has been
flowering for months, and is still in flower, although I reckon it's the
end as the frosts are hitting it.

Pococks have a very good website where you can go through the roses they
offer in various ways http://www.garden-roses.co.uk/Rose-Catalogue-S1.
NB they no longer list "Chris Beardshaw" and "Bowled Over".

--

Jeff

On 25-Nov-17 9:01 AM, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 25/11/17 02:32, brian mitchell wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

On 23/11/17 00:34, brian mitchell wrote:

Hi,

I wish to grow roses, as standards and one climber/rambler. My three
top priorities are scent, scent and scent. (I can't imagine why anyone
would think it worth their while to breed a scentless rose). After
that, colour and, in the case of the climber/rambler, vigour.

Being completely ignorant about rose culture and varieties, I'd much
appreciate suggestions, expressions of favourites, and general rose
wisdom.

Thanks,

Brian Mitchell

We were in the same situation as you a few years ago. We thought a visit
to Mottisfont would be helpful, but it wasn't. We saw a number of roses
we liked but many didn't seem to be available commercially.

So we went to a specialist rose nursery (Pocock's, next to the Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in Hampshire). That was the best
decision we ever made. We could see and smell all the roses they had. We
bought 6, and have been very pleased with them. I could list them, but
your preferences might be different, so you really must see and smell
them yourself. It would be best to do it fairly locally, but west Wales
isn't exactly known for rose suppliers! If you don't want to go too far,
there is a Wyevale at Carmarthen. They should have quite a few in flower
in June/July.

Thank you. This tells me that I've really left it too late if I want
to plant something next Spring. Carmarthen is eminently doable from
here so I'll check Wyevale out later on. I would like to make a start
though, partly out of a sense that I don't have all the time in the
world any more, so any lists of people's favourites, and why, would be
appreciated. I could at least look at pictures and start compiling a
list of possibilities of my own.

These are the 6 we bought from Pocock's:
Deep Secret - fabulous deep red colour, almost velvety petals with (most
unusually for a red rose) an amazingly strong and very attractive scent.
Margaret Merrill - a pure white rose with a strong scent.
Golden Wedding - a well-known fine yellow-coloured rose with a good scent.
Chris Beardshaw - pink rose with good scent.
Blue For You - violet colour with fairly good scent.
Bowled Over - good orange colour with a fair scent.

If I had to choose just one, it would be "Deep Secret". It has been
flowering for months, and is still in flower, although I reckon it's the
end as the frosts are hitting it.

Pococks have a very good website where you can go through the roses they
offer in various ways http://www.garden-roses.co.uk/Rose-Catalogue-S1.
NB they no longer list "Chris Beardshaw" and "Bowled Over".

I can confirm the scent of Margaret Merril. Fantastic.

Paul

On 25/11/2017 02:32, brian mitchell wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:

So we went to a specialist rose nursery (Pocock's, next to the Sir
Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey in Hampshire). That was the best
decision we ever made. We could see and smell all the roses they had. We
bought 6, and have been very pleased with them. I could list them, but
your preferences might be different, so you really must see and smell
them yourself. It would be best to do it fairly locally, but west Wales
isn't exactly known for rose suppliers! If you don't want to go too far,
there is a Wyevale at Carmarthen. They should have quite a few in flower
in June/July.

Thank you. This tells me that I've really left it too late if I want
to plant something next Spring. Carmarthen is eminently doable from
here so I'll check Wyevale out later on. I would like to make a start
though, partly out of a sense that I don't have all the time in the
world any more, so any lists of people's favourites, and why, would be
appreciated. I could at least look at pictures and start compiling a
list of possibilities of my own.

I'd suggest getting a book on roses for Christmas first and spending
next summer trailing round a few specialist rose nurseries looking at
the plants in their show beds to see what you really like. Beauty is
definitely in the eye/nose of the beholder where roses are concerned.

I quite like vigorous old scented roses with double flowers partly
because they will tolerate my solid clay soil where more tetchy ones are
inclined to expire. Fryers roses of Knutsford is another place to look.
They have been taken over since I last bought anything from them.

http://www.grosvenorgardencentre.co.uk/fryer/

I'd suggest you spend some time looking and smelling roses to decide
what you really want and then buy them bare rooted for autumn planting.
Or more expensively in pots to plant at any time but them water well
until they get established.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown