Fragrant Roses - When Beauty Dances with Scent |
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One of the beauties of flowers, especially roses, is that they dazzle our senses with more than just their physical splendor. Roses also allow us to enjoy their grandeur through their fragrance. Although many roses are fragrant some have a particularly intense aroma. At Weeks Roses we have many varieties that are as sweet-scented as they are beautiful. From the spicy scent rising above the hearty pink shrub of Cape Diamond™ to the red and white striped clusters on Rock & Roll™ there are fragrant roses available for gardeners around the country in all colors, growing habits and styles. |
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Many of our exceptionally fragrant roses have been recognized by the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) committee for not only their aroma but as an award winning all-around superior rose. Julia Child™ was an AARS recipient in 2006 and has been a favorite for gardeners and landscapers ever since. With a bouquet of buttery gold blooms redolent with licorice candy and spice, - Julia serves a dish that is a delight for both the eyes and nose. Add a heaping cup of disease resistance with a large serving of constant blooming flowers and you can see why this rose takes the cake! |
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Other perfumed delights recognized by AARS include Wild Blue Yonder™, the first lavender-toned rose to capture these honors in over 20 years. Perhaps it won the judges over with its intense citrus blossom and rose scent that truly reaches for the sky. The sweet spice scent spinning from the swirling burgundy red and creamy white petals of Scentimental™ make this another fragrant favorite. The name really says it all with this old fashioned striped floribunda. When you mix fragrance with long life as a cut flower then you really have a winner for your garden. You have likely noticed that most cut roses from flower shop may last in the vase but really don’t have much of a scent. This is because fragrance is often sacrificed for longevity during the hybridization process. Tom Carruth, the Research Director at Weeks, and Research Assistant Christian Bedard have been able to pair these two desired qualities with their introductions and are working to bring gardeners many more in the future. |
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Memorial Day™ is an example of this combination of a strong damask rose fragrance and a long cut life showcasing flowers atop long, sparsely thorned stems. From a single orchid pink bloom in a vase to a cluster in a bouquet Memorial Day will fill your home with her perfume and allow you to enjoy classic formed, large flowers. Another aromatic, ever-lasting hybrid tea is Neptune. With large lavender petals and a touch of purple along with a sweet rose scent Neptune shows that great fragrance and long-lasting blooms in no myth. You truly can have both in one rose! If you are seeking a wall of fragrance then your options for heavenly scented climbers are better than ever. Pearly Gates™ adds perfume to an ever-flowering show of pure pastel pink flowers saturated with sweet spicy purfume. |
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Another climbing rose with unique color is Night Owl. With deep wine purple open flowers and contrasting bright yellow stamens this bird will also prey on your sense of smell as well. A clove and spice continues throughout the season on this repeat blooming beauty. Warm & Fuzzy™ shows that you don’t need to be large in size to be rich in fragrance. A Christmassy red mixes warm color and velvety buds to provide color in your garden until the very end. The mossy buds bear the fragrance....not the flowers. With a unique sweet juniper fragrance and clean green foliage, you have the perfect plant for smaller space in your garden where you still want to keep your nose happy. |
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When planting for fragrance consider using several strong scented roses in the same area for a more intense aroma. If you have roses next to your home think about adding a fragrant variety under a window or near doors or next to your entrance way. Think about the direction of the prevailing breezes around your home and plant accordingly to take advantage of the wind. (Otherwise your neighbor may reap the benefits from your flowers which is OK as well…depending on the neighbor!) |
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By adding a fragrant climber near a patio or other seating area you can put away the scented candles and let nature take over. Well placed containers with fragrant flowers can also do the trick. Is there a “right way” to smell a rose? If you gently breathe into a rose before you sniff, the warmth of your breath can help you enjoy the perfume even more. Any way you enjoy your roses is fine…just check for bees first!
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