Rosa 'Times Past' - Climbing Rose

The 'Times Past' climbing rose is an English rose with an old-world charm, combined with the repeat-flowering capabilities of modern roses. Nostalgic to the core, it bears roses heavy with petals, languishing under their weight, which emerge from tight buds and unfurl into wide rosettes, shaded with carmine pink in the centre and candy pink towards the outer edges. Not content with beauty, they are enhanced by a powerful fragrance dominated by citrus notes. Sometimes prone to certain diseases, depending on the growing conditions, this large rose also takes a little while to establish itself. However, it will climb romantic arches and trellises within a few years.

This rose is a British creation from the British rose breeder Harkness, a beautiful variety born in 2001. This wonderful modern hybrid, derived from the Floribunda rose 'City of London' and the David Austin rose 'Heritage', has an upright habit. It will reach a height of 3m (10ft) to 3.50m (11ft) with a spread of 1.50m (5ft), depending on the growing conditions. Its long stems are covered in numerous thorns and have glossy medium-green foliage. With their repeat-flowering habit, the flowers of this climbing rose form in June-July and then in successive waves until October. They emerge from short shoots of the second year as candy pink buds. They open in the manner of hybrid tea roses, then unfurl into large, very double cups, measuring 9 to 10 cm (4in) in diameter, made up of quarters of small, deep pink petals, pleated in an old-fashioned manner, turning pale pink at the edges. They create a beautiful bouquet-like effect on the plant in a highly colourful range. They emit a fairly pronounced, exquisite fragrance. The small fruits that delight birds during the winter are fleshy false fruits called hips.

'Times Past' is a rose that will appeal to lovers of old-fashioned roses and romantic gardens. Like other large roses, such as 'Mme Caroline Testout', 'Rose de Mai', or 'Penny Lane' with which it pairs so well, it is incomparable for giving a touch of abandonment to overly formal flowerbeds. It is an ideal companion for an old fruit tree, a small pillar, and the charming cabins it enhances. Trained against an arch, near the terrace, it will create a poetic and fragrant passageway.