Rosa Stanwell Perpetual

The 'Stanwell Perpetual' Old Rose cultivates the ambivalence of its origins with undeniable talent. Sweet yet thorny, it has retained the rough character of its Scottish ancestor inhabiting the windswept dunes, but it has also inherited the tenderness and fragrance of the perpetual Damask rose, its other presumed parent. It develops into a dense bush with arched branches adorned with fern-like foliage. The impenetrable thicket it forms is adorned with small double and flat flowers, delicately scented, until the frost. This Pimpernelle-leaved rose will be remarkable in a defensive hedge that it will make charming. Tolerating shaded exposures quite well, its only requirement is to be planted in well-draining soil.

Rosa 'Stanwell Perpetual' is the only horticultural form of the Scottish rose capable of flowering tirelessly until the frost. The British nursery Lee introduced it to the market in 1838, but this spontaneous hybrid had likely already appeared in the 18th century. It has a wider than tall habit, so that ultimately it forms a very bushy bush reaching a height of 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) and a width of over 1.8 metres (5 feet 11 inches). Its very thorny branches are initially erect, then they arch under the weight of the flowers and fruits. Its deciduous foliage, deeply divided into 5 to 13 leaflets with finely toothed edges, is typical of the Scottish rose, light green in summer, taking on bronze hues in autumn. Sometimes the leaves may become marked with dark, reddish spots. This is believed to be a characteristic of the species, caused by atmospheric conditions, which has no impact on the health of the plant. The flowering begins in May-June and continues until November, unaffected by frost. The solitary flowers are adorable small flat and double roses, in quarters, very soft to the touch, of a very pale pink turning to white. They measure about 6cm (2.4in) in diameter and have a deliciously sweet scent of medium intensity.

The passion for botanical roses and their direct hybrids is thoroughly justified, especially in difficult soils or climates: these roses are not only the parents of our modern roses, but they are generally more robust and very reliable. The 'Stanwell Perpetual' rose is a truly undemanding rose that will be loved. It will be useful in a bocage or defensive hedge, as it forms a thorny mass that is difficult to cross. Its location should be carefully chosen, in full sun and in soil that does not retain moisture. It is beautiful left to grow freely in a wild garden, or surrounded by the autumn foliage of Cotinus and deciduous Euonymus. In spring, the scent and roundness of lilacs, the purity of mock oranges will accompany its brand new youth, while in summer, Ceanothus pallidus 'Marie Blue' and shrubby Potentillas will take over. Very hardy, low maintenance, it is drought resistant once well established.