What's your favourite roses?

[riverrune]

I know this has been done to death but..... I've got a space in my garden in which I'd like to plant a rose. I'm toying with the idea of a Princess Alexandra of Kent, but I thought I'd ask the opinion of the wise MNers of this board first! Does anyone have this variety and would you recommend it? Is there anything else you prefer? I've already got a Desdemona, Olivia Rose Austin, Mary Delaney and a Margaret Merrill. Ideally I'd like something pink or white, scented and fairly resistant to blackspot. TIA!

I've one called Anniversary that smells incredible, pale peachy pink blooms. Very pretty.

I’ve got Boscobel and The Generous Gardener from that GW link.

Boscobel is absolutely gorgeous and the scent is amazing though it’s getting on a bit in our garden and probably needs replacing. It’s always the first to flower though.

Looking at Cecile Brunner. Looks great but does it only flower for 1 month? This is what I was reading.

Ideally want a light pink (but will consider other colours) climbing rose that flowers loooooong and is 5 meters plus. But is a windy location too but not coastal. I already have generous gardener.

I am obsessed with David Austin, I strongly recommend Lark Ascending, it is so bloody gorgeous. Also Boscobel and Jubilee, I have also bought comte d Champagne which I have high hopes for.

I have three at the moment, and two waiting to be planted, as soon as my huge arch goes up this week. I also have an Agriframes arbour to be delivered, so will be choosing another two or three.

I have 8 roses that I call my not planted collection

How big does a crab apple tree have to get before I add a climbing rose? I've had one in for three years now, bought it quite mature and it no longer needs watering.

Am unable to answer that, but will merail slightly! How mature was the tree when you planted it and has it been easy to look after? I love crab apple blossom and would love to try and find a spot for one in my garden.

Have you thought about Macmillan Nurse from Peter Beales? That’s a lovely white rose. For a darker pink I love Gabriel Oak.

Emily Brontë is good too…mine is on year 3 and absolutely covered in blooms this year. Meant to be good for disease resistance and very scented.

DA Generous Gardener is my fav. Got Olivia Austin too.which comes second. Also got Gertrude Jekyl and Mary Delaney too but both more temperamental. Although GJ got black spot last year and after chopping her to the ground she has risen from the dead and blooming insanely this year with zero black spot so far.🤞

I’m just about to buy an Eden rose having seen one at Petersham Nurseries. The buds look like little fat balls of raspberry ripple ice cream 😍
I have a Princess Alexandra of Kent, planted with lavender. She smells gorgeous!

@Furries I bought it from Barcham Trees, so quite mature, it was listed as a medium sized tree. I have clay soil so it's very happy. I didn't do much apart from water it by filling an irrigation tree bag once a week during summer. In the Spring it was literally covered in white blossom and now is steadily getting covered in crab apples. I love mine, wish I had the space for another. I'm secretly hoping the cherry gets diseased and dies so I can replace it

sparkiesparkle very envious of your family of GGardener - I only have the one but it is magnificent - I'm trying to think where I could shoehorn another in (without DH noticing)

If not I may just ask my brother to buy me DA vouchers firing forthcoming birthday (!) - then I would have to buy another ....

I also have Princess Alexandra of Kent- great flowers and scent. I have it next to Gertrude Jekyll, another beautiful and fragrant rose.

Munstead Wood for me, any day - loads of dark rosetted flowers, and the most fabulous scent that reaches my desk in the summer.

David Austin, Gentle Hermione.

The most reliable rose I have ever grown is Countryman by David Austin. No black spot and beautiful deep sink flowers all summer

I’m getting into single roses- they are great for bees and butterflies and shorter but lots of flowers. I have for your eyes only and tottering by gently and just bought ol’ blue eyes which is just gorgeous and great for a border. https://jonestherose.co.uk/cluster-flower-floribunda/581-ol-blue-eyes-wekyolovefoy.html

Gertrude Jekyll or Queen of Sweden for me - I’ve got them next to each other and just waiting for QoS buds to bloom

If you wanted to consider one that is more peachy in colour, my absolute favourite is Bridge of Sighs. But I’ve managed to kill 1 already and it seems to be a bit of a bugger to grow

GJ intertwined with Arthur Bell (another favourite!)

Ooh

Wonderful thread! I can almost smell it from here🌹So many to look at and see if I can fit into my garden.

I wondered if any knew of a rose similar to Rosa Ballerina but that is heavily scented? Unless, of course it is, but all the info I have read say slightly scented. I've seen one in a garden on my walk and thought it was quite pretty but the scent was just gorgeous.

David Austin, Whiter Shade of Pale. Strong. Robust and with a really beautiful scent. Mine is in its second year and has 54 buds on it.

@FunnysInLaJardin unfortunately, the countryman has been retired by David Austin