In Burgundy, climate and terroir come together to form a paradise for roses, and they put on a heavenly show, especially in late spring. I’m a rose grower from way back, so Je suis contente.
When we first moved here, to get a quick start on growing some roses I picked up a ‘6-pack’ of rose bushes that were just a few inches tall, packed together into a small paper carton. They were 5 euros for the box; there was no name or label on them. I figured they wouldn’t grow, but for 5 euros, why not give it a shot?
These roses are now the hardiest in the garden. The colors are fabulous, they rarely get diseases, they bloom like their lives depended on it. I’m desperately hoping there’s a rosarian out there who can identify them. C'est une mystère!
I’ve included photos of two of the mystery roses and some other varieties I grow here that I love.
PHOTO ABOVE: Bonica. VERY easy care, few disease. Grows in a bush form, 3.5 feet tall and wide, that is covered with clusters–sometimes 20 on a stem. Cut one stem and you can fill a vase! Blooms are small-ish.
ABOVE LEFT: Mystery Rose #1 and my favorite rose of all. Floribunda but with a classic 'florist rose' flower. It's a deep salmon, really almost a watermelon color, going slightly toward gold at the center. Bush is 2.5 ft., upright but not full. It's very hybrid tea-esque except for the clusters. Blooms constantly. RIGHT: Mystery Rose #2. This has a looser, bushier form (3 ft. tall) and blooms all the time even though it's mostly in the shade. What's interesting is that the buds are a deep coral but flowers are pale salmon, turning ever lighter and pinker as they open.
LEFT: Aloha is an stunning, many-peteled climber. But it's not quite a climber, it has a stiff structure so looks elegant upright against a wall, and mine's attached with only 3 nails. About 8 ft. tall and very disease resistant. RIGHT: I grew the demurely ruffled floribunda Amber Queen in Charleston too, where it did better, so it must like the heat. The blooms, yellow bordering on apricot, have a great old rose look to them, though it's a modern rose. But in the French climate, I find it susceptible to black spot. 2 ft. tall.
Above LEFT: Madame Pierre S. Dupont is a climber that just keeps growing—my neighbor has one that covers the side of a barn. It's a bright clear yellow and stops traffic when it blooms, but doesn't repeat much (I've heard yellow roses are the weakest bloomers, is that true?). Above RIGHT: If you like 
orange and you've got a big space, you won't find a better focal point for the garden than Fellowship, also called Livin' Easy. It's a beauty: flourescent orange, opening to an orangey-apricot with a gold center. It always reminds me of a perfect sunset, rolled into one bloom. The bush gets big and round and full, very lush, so that it's a pretty plant even when it's not blooming. Mine is about 5 feet tall, 4 ft wide. Few diseases. Go here to see a good photo of its spring flush. LEFT: Another view of Mystery Rose #1, amongst the lavendar.
Gardeners and rose lovers, I hope you'll share some of your favorite varieties too!
This just in: I'm happy to be a guest blogger this week over at The Daily Basics. Look for the article called "Putting a Spin on the French Cheese Course".
In the COMMENTS: Heather of Unexcused Absenses has some more diet tips (including how to eat French cheese, sensibly) but everyone else is talking macarons. Hampton says you can only learn to make them in France–well darn, you'll have to come over. Liza of Provence in Ann Arbor IS coming over soon, to eat macorons (and more). Natalia says getting them to be beautiful is an art–so true, and luckily the learning process is delicious. Meanwhile Gina is aging her almond flour. Sue just wants Nicole's kitchen; and Heather of Lost in Arles can walk down the street to get hers–why make them indeed!
Favorite Reads: I think I mentioned, a friend gave me a copy of Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes
17 thoughts on “A French Bouquet, Just for You”
Lovely post, with excellent information. I am not too good with roses, but this story works very well with the post I wrote last week about the Bagatelle gardens roseraie in Paris! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Lynn,
There is a rose group in Cluny.
My friend and neighbour Martine Dumont is a member and I shall ask her for more information. I am sure that they will be able to help.
Beautiful roses!
What gorgeous roses! A great way to start my day by looking at them. Lovely post.
Great post. Thanks so much. I live in Le Morvan, Burgundy and see lots of beautiful roses around but wasn’t sure what to buy.
Wasn’t sure how hardy they would be in the winter. You have inspired me to give rose growing a try!! Have you heard of the Rosarie at Celle-en-Morvan? I haven’t visited it yet but will now.
I never have heard that yellow roses were weak bloomers. At my previous house I had a Golden Showers climbing by my front stoop. It had blooms from late spring until frost. It may not have been fat in appearance, but it climbed quickly and smelled delicious during all that time.
OOOHHH MY! As you know the heat here in SC only allows my roses to put on a true show in the Spring and Fall….and then summer arrives to make them struggle a bit. I am currently nursing a couple of old climbers that have canes at least 3 inches thick that were allowed to vanquish behind overgrown shrubery for far too many years. Thank you for sharing your sweet smelling beauties!
Excellent photos of beautiful roses, Lynn. Here in Phoenix with our heat (It hit 115 degrees F on Wednesday) it’s very difficult to grow roses. I’ve tired it with mixed results. Now days, I spend lots of time in the cool pines of Flagstaff, AZ so they would be neglected.
Thanks for sharing…. A plus tard
To crowd-source the identities of your mystery roses, post the photos at this Forum on YourGardenShow.com. http://www.yourgardenshow.com/forum/thread/1439
Honestly, I can smell these roses! Also loved Lunch in Paris. Expected another expat in Paris soap opera, but loved Elizabeth’s honesty, humor and quirky personality, learning about the food search and prep, the friends and family from NY, London, N. Africa, Brittany, etc. and the psychological transition from NY Jewish upbringing to comfortable Parisian life. Lots to learn here even at 2AM!
These blooms are far better fireworks than anything that we will see tomorrow! Merci comme d’hab’ for the inspiration et Bon weekend! (and if that isn’t Franglais than I don’t know what is!)
-Heather.
Oh,Lynn, how gorgeous! Your roses are nothing short of divine!
What a way to start the weekend!
I also love growing roses (am fortunate to have a lovely garden filled with my favorites,many antiques. Among them is Silver Shadows–looks like its name and just one blossom will perfume the room.Second and third are(Karl)Lagerfeld (floribunda named after the fashion desinger and covered with pink.salmon/white flowers), then Glory Days (no fragrance,but the most intriguing shade of coral.) We brought them with us when we moved here 25 years ago.
Wish I aged as well as they have!!
I wonder if your first mystery rose is Tropicana(?)Looks just like that,great repeat bloomer. Orginally developed by Jackson and Perkins, quite a long time ago. Second one perhaps is Eveyln(?) Another long ago developed one,an Austin rose first created for perfume.Both very popular and well loved.
Thanks,Lynn,for such a beautiful post!!!!
Bon journee!!!!!
Lynn, merci beaucoup for the glorious roses! I don’t have roses anymore, but after my Dad died, I kept his rose garden going ’til the house was sold. I always loved it, because I felt his presence with me. And it reminded me of his, and my Grandfather’s, favorite hymn, “In the Garden.” Do you know it?
I’m so jealous. I’ve been a rose grower since 1980. About 5 years ago, just as my latest garden, was becoming a rose paradise, Japanese beetles invaded our region. I wound up digging up many bushes and substituting day lilies and dahlias. Now those darned beetles have discovered my dahlias. There’s not an insecticide or soil treatment (Yes, I’ve tried milky spore.) that will stop them. At least they don’t appear until the end of June. I couldn’t bear to part with all my roses–especially “Winipeg Parks”. It’s incredibly prolific and blooms all summer long–makes the beetles really happy.
Seems that you found a true rose bargain. I can’t stop myself when I begin taking pictures of roses. You must admit that the background for your roses can’t be beat. Castles, barns and stone walls form perfect backgrounds for the rose beauties. Still without the perfect backdrop roses can transform ordinary surroundings. I would suggest that you just invent your own name for those roses and speak to them at every opportunity.
Water is so dear here (central TX) that I don’t much water things I can’t eat. Of course, you can eat rose petals… or make rose water, or… mmmm! 🙂 Beautiful photos, but I want scratch and sniff!
Hi, Friend!
I highly appreciate your post!
Thanks for sharing an informative post with us.
I have ne’er detected that yellow roses were weak bloomers. At my previous house, I had a Golden Showers climb by my front stoop. It had blooms from late spring till frost. it should not are fat in look, however it climbed quickly and smelled delicious throughout all that point.
Please, continue your writing in the future!