Rosa Souvenir du Dr Jamain

The 'Souvenir du Docteur Jamain' Old Rose was the preferred rose of Vita Sackville-West, a famous English poet, novelist, and gardener, who considered it the best climbing rose for a North-facing position. It was considered one of the best perpetual hybrids of its time. This vigorous bush, surpassing the size of a man, offers two main flowering periods and some repeat blooms that span from May-June to September-October. Its fully double, bubbling rose displays astonishing shades of claret, almost purple, very dark and velvety, which should be protected from the intense sun. But the main attraction of this almost thornless rose remains its powerful scent of old rose. Its bouquets of flowers with heady fragrances are perfect in a vase.

This 'Souvenir du Docteur Jamain' rose belongs to the group of perpetual hybrids, roses that form the transition between old roses and modern, repeat-flowering roses. These varieties, like 'Baron Giraud de l'Ain' or 'Enfant de France', are the result of a first generation of hybridization, notably between Portland roses and repeat-flowering varieties derived from Rosa chinensis. They generally have a perfectly repeat-flowering and extraordinarily scented bloom. As a large bush if left to grow freely, 'Souvenir du Docteur Jamain' can also be trained against a support or wall, preferably in partial shade or shade. It will reach, depending on the case, a height of 1.50m (4ft 11in) to 2.50m (8ft 2in) with a spread of 1.15m (3ft 10in). Its fully double roses, composed of more than 40 petals, measure approximately 7-8cm (2.8 - 3.1in) in diameter. They do not yet have the perfect shape of modern Hybrid Teas, but their architecture and the velvety texture and intense dark colour of their petals come close. The flower's heart, a creamy-white, is revealed before the rose fades. The fragrance of the flowers is intense, similar to that of Gallica roses or Damask roses. The deciduous foliage, of medium green, covers long stems almost devoid of prickles.

This rose has its rightful place in a scented garden. Whether trained or not, its unique fragrance and color deserve some attention: it will require regular organic amendments, a deep soil that remains moist, and a position in filtered light. Rose enthusiasts who appreciate fully double, dark-coloured, and fragrant roses can associate it with the moss rose 'Deuil de Paul Fontaine' or the unusual 'Robert le Diable'. A rose with flowers in violet or blue tones like 'Veilchenblau', 'Rhapsody in Blue', or even 'Sissi' will enhance them.

'Souvenir du Docteur Jamain' is a creation of François Lacharme, a French breeder who left his mark on the rose tradition in Lyon and worked towards its international reputation.

Lacharme creation 1865.