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Alba Roses
The Alba family is an ancient and numerically
small family, noted for its health, fragrance and ability to tolerate shade. In
the main Albas have white blooms, although there are some soft pinks. They are
later flowering than the other old European roses and their spectacular blooms
carry on into summer. Foliage is characteristically greyish-green, sometimes
even with a blue overtone, which complements other garden plants. The Alba
fragrance is expensive and hauntingly seductive. They are tough, strong growing
shrubs and will often grow to 1.5m. They will tolerate more shade than most
roses and may be best at the back of a border.
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Belle Amour - 1950 |
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Rich pink double blooms. Dark green foliage. Possible damask influence. Spicy fragrance. Tolerant of poor soil. Flowers in early summer. 1.5m. Out of stock for 2012. |
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Chloris - very old
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Ancient alba known as Dew of the Morning. Grows to 2m with dark green leaves and few thorns. Soft pink double quartered flowers with a button eye. Very fragrant. Tolerant of shade and poor soil. |
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Maidens Blush - 15th century or earlier |
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Once known as Cuise de Nymphe Emue (thigh of the passionate nymph) but renamed by the Victorians in their prudery. Arching shrub with loosely double soft pink blooms and blue-grey leaves. Refined perfume. Tolerates poor soil and shade. 1.8m. |
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Mme Plantier - 1835 |
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The Brides Rose. Masses of very fragrant, pale cream blooms (that fade to white) with green eye, borne in clusters. Often found in old cemeteries. Will climb to 6m or can be grown as an arching shrub to 3m. Has few thorns. Tolerant of poor soil and some shade. Was used in bridal bouquets, thus known as the Bride's Rose. Out of stock for 2012. |
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| Name |
Date |
Description |
| Mme Legras de St Germain |
1846 |
Fully double, fragrant, creamy white flowers.
Can be grown as a shrub or as a climber to 2m. Tolerant of poor soil and
some shade. |
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