Rosa 'Mme Caroline Testout'

The Climbing Rose 'Mme Caroline Testout' possesses the same extraordinary qualities as its shrub-like old rose counterpart but is enhanced by the formidable vigour of its woody climbing stems. This excellent Hybrid Tea rose, sometimes considered the best in the world, stands out first and foremost for its consistent and regular flowering and heavy, delicately scented roses. Its large, rounded, fully-formed flowers gracefully tilt, inviting one to bury their nose in the fresh, deep, authentic pink petals—an exceptional, endearing, resolutely generous and remarkably long-lasting rose.

The Climbing Rose 'Mme Caroline Testout' is part of the complex family of ancient Hybrid Teas, also known as large-flowered roses. It is a creation of the French rose breeder Chauvry, dating back to 1901. It is a sarmentous rose with exceptional longevity. It has a flexible habit and prickly stems, reaching over 5m (16ft) (sometimes 7m (23ft)) in height and 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) in spread, depending on the growing conditions. Its broad, deciduous, dark green with a hint of blue foliage is exceptionally healthy and perfectly showcases the colour of the flowers. It flowers on second-year shoots, first in June-July, abundantly, and then again in September-October, no matter what. Its large, solitary roses, full but slightly ruffled, measuring 10cm (4in) in width, are composed of 20 to 39 petals displaying a pure and deep pink hue. Their fragrance, fresh and light, is classified as Tea roses with phenolic scents. No less than a dozen roses created by David Austin are direct descendants of 'The Wife of Bath', with 'Mme. Caroline Testout unquestionably makes a significant contribution to this line of English roses. 

The rose 'Mme. Caroline Testout' should be included in every garden of ancient roses, not only for all the virtues mentioned above but also because it can grow in sometimes challenging conditions and flower even in the shade without the support of treatments or fertilisers. While the pink of its flowers is not exceptional, it proves easy to pair and pleasing to the eye, becoming a loyal and indispensable companion for structuring the decor over the years. It is particularly interesting for bringing lushness and colour to partially shaded garden areas. Like other climbers, it is incomparable for adorning walls, fences and pergolas alongside a vigorous clematis such as 'Montana' or 'Prince Charles'. It is an ideal companion for reviving dead trees or giving sheds a captivating charm. Trained on an arch, it will create a romantic and fragrant passage well into the late season.