The leaves were so unbelievably glossy, the flower petals seemed to shimmer “silverly”. Even a fellow gardening walking the aisle commented as she walked by. I caved in and purchased these beauties.

It’s called Rose “The Fairy” – a minature rose that has many cousins.  I prefer this “first” myself.

From HGTV.com’s list of carefree roses by Mary C. Weaver:

‘The Fairy’: With a name like that, you might think ‘The Fairy’ delicate. Don’t let this polyantha’s diminutive, cupped double pink blooms fool you: this plant is nearly indestructible. Introduced in 1932 by Ann Bentall of England, one of the few female hybridizers in the rose world, ‘The Fairy’ begins blooming somewhat late in the season but keeps on going into fall. Clusters of blooms form along the entire length of the shrub’s prickly canes. The foliage is tiny, medium-green, glossy and disease-resistant. If you live in a warm climate, make sure ‘The Fairy’ gets some afternoon shade–the soft-pink flowers will fade in hot sun. Hardy to Zone 4. A low and spreading shrub 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in width.

In the end, ‘The Fairy’ Rose / Rosa ‘ The Fairy’ is a great miniature, and suprisingly hardy. I recommend it heartily.

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View at Picasa 26-Jun-2010 13:54, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D60, 8.0, 200.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 26-Jun-2010 13:54, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D60, 8.0, 135.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 26-Jun-2010 13:53, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D60, 8.0, 200.0mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100

View at Picasa 26-Jun-2010 13:54, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D60, 8.0, 200.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 110

View at Picasa 26-Jun-2010 13:54, NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D60, 8.0, 86.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 140

Louie Odier

My precious bare root roses are a year old.  One rose has had to move twice and is just now getting established, The climber is still trying to get a firm footing in the soil, but the third, the Louise Odier, has grown quickly and is already in bloom.

A year later, the Louise Odier is doing quite nicely.  It was sold as  a “Fragrant” rose, which I have yet to notice (smell).  Close up, with my nose in the bloom it smells very sweet and excellent.  But from a distance of 3 feet, only a light fragrance is detected.  Maybe in the coming years, will we smell anything strong.

Roses

So it took a while, but I finally reached concession on which Roses I am using around the house

I purchased the flowers from Pickering Roses – Which is an international distributor of classical and hard to find Roses.  I picked them because they were based out of Ontario…Zone 4 anyway, and that told me they would carry Zone 5 roses.

1. Seven Sisters – Rambling Rose with 7 colours

The plan is to put this Rose up against my ugly side fence.  In a matter of years, this rose will cover it from front to back.  The key is to reinforce the fence so it doesn’t fall over.  As well, the extra height this rose will add, will provide more privacy.

Links to Sites that have information about Seven Sisters

• Seven Sisters Link 1
• Rose Database: Seven Sisters Link 2

Details

• Common Name: ‘Seven Sisters’
• Class/Variety:  Species Rose – 1817
• Habit: Climber
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5
• Height: 15 to 20 feet
• Spread: 10 to 15 feet
• Season of Bloom: Spring
• Bloom Color: Pink Blend
• Fragrance: No
• Hips: No

Internet Rating:

• Garden Rating Average: 8.3 / 10
• Fragrance Rating Average: 1.0 / 3
• Cut Flower Rating Average: 5.2 / 10
• Exhibition Rating Average: 6.5 / 10

2. Kazanlik – Purple Fragrant Rose

This is an original “OLD” Rose, used traditionally to make Attar of Rose.  It was discovered in the Middle East in the 1600′s.  I assume it is still used for Attar.  Regardless, this rose will be placed beside the Porch, to hang onto the trellis.  Close to the Porch and the family room to provide a great smell in the Summer!

Kazanlik Rose

Links to Websites about Kazanlik:

• Kazanlik Rose Link#1
• Kazanlik Rose Database#1

Details:

• Height: 5 feet x 4, Habit: Shrub
• Foliage: Dark Green
• Thorns: Black
• Cultivation: Needs Support , OK in Poor Soil , Shade Tolerant
• Hardiness: In general, Damask roses are hardy to Zone 5, a few to Zone 4.
• Middle East 1689
• ARS Rating: 7.6
• Also known as: R. damascena trigintipetala

Internet Rating

• Garden Rating Average: 7.0 / 10
• Fragrance Rating Average: 3.0 / 3
• Cut Flower Rating Average: 1.5 / 10
• Exhibition Rating Average: 1.0 / 10

3. Louise Odier: Pretty Pink Rose that has a strong Scent

Louise Odier

The second “Old” Rose.  Traditonally a very strong and fragrant Rose.  This one is also by the Kitchen, to send a great scent into the house.

From David Austen: “A rose of very much the same mould as Reine Victoria, having all its virtues but with more robust and bushy growth. The flowers are beautifully formed, cupped at first, opening flatter

and neatly rounded with each petal precisely in place. The color is a lovely warm pink and they have a rich fragrance. Like Reine Victoria, it repeats well throughout the summer and is certainly one of the better of the recurrent flower

ing Old Roses, having quite good disease resistance. In warmer climates it will grow into a short climber. 5 ft. X 4 ft.”

1. Oldrosenursery.com – British Colombia

2. Hortico.com – Large Ontario Rose Distributer

3. Aubin Nurseries Ltd – Manitoba

4. Modern Nurseries – Manitoba

5. Pickering Nurseries Inc - Ontario.  I’ve personally used Pickering Nurseries.  Shipped on time, only charged after shipping, and nice to work with.  Only knock would be the person answering the phone wasn’t so knowledgeable.

6. Enderleingardenroses.com/ – Thanks to Deb for the tip.  (North Ontario Nursery)

Roses

And then a list of Roses that I’m contemplating purchasing:

a. Paul’s Himilayan Musk Rose - Love the 40 Foot rambling thing happening here

b. Constance Spry – This rose is so beautiful, I would kill for it.  Alas, it’s only a once-bloomer.  Who buys those anymore?  It’s a David Austen Special, and one of the first roses he cultivated.

c. Kazanlink -Fragrant: Used in Rose Attar

d. Louise Odier – Fragrant