Rosa Ulrich Brunner Fils

Rosa 'Ulrich Brunner Fils', easy and generous, was widely cultivated in the 1900-1910s for cut flowers. This old shrub rose produces large and beautiful roses in a vibrant cherry red colour, fading to carmine lilac pink, which exude a very pleasant fragrance with hints of apple and vanilla. They bloom on a beautiful hardy foliage, with shiny dark green leaves, carried by almost thornless stems. Vigorous and undemanding, this wonderful bush grows in any soil and in all climates. It blooms early, abundantly, and repeatedly. A nostalgic and radiant rose, expressing all the charm of a bygone era!

This 'Ulrich Brunner Fils' rose belongs to the group of perpetual hybrids, roses that bridge the gap between old roses and modern, repeat-flowering roses. These varieties, such as 'Baron Giraud de l'Ain' or 'Enfant de France', are the result of a first generation hybridization between Portland roses and repeat-flowering varieties derived from Rosa chinensis. They generally have a perfectly repeat-flowering and extraordinarily fragrant bloom.

Derived from a spontaneous seedling of the 'Anna de Diesbach' rose, 'Ulrich Brunner Fils' has somewhat uncertain origins, but it is believed that its 'father' could be the 'Paul Neyron' rose. It is a vigorous bush that will reach a minimum height of 1.60m (5ft 2in) and a spread of 1.20m (3ft 11in) in the space of 4 years. Flowering begins in May, depending on the climate, and continues until the end of summer if the soil remains somewhat moist. The reddish spherical buds, always in clusters, open into cups of 30 to 40 large and wide cherry red petals, lighter on the reverse. These roses measure approximately 10cm (3.9in) in diameter. They do not yet have the perfect form of modern tea hybrids, but they bloom in a slightly irregular shape that is charming, while taking on shades of carmine pink with lilac reflections. The fragrance of the flowers is fruity, sweet, and floral. The deciduous foliage, with its glossy dark green colour, covers long stems almost devoid of thorns. It is resistant to rose diseases.

This rose has its rightful place in the scented garden. Its willingness to bloom and grow anywhere, its fragrance, and its vibrant colour deserve a place in the garden of any rose and bouquet lover. When planting it, make sure to have easy access to the roses during flowering as its main interest lies in the bouquets its flowers make, as well as their sweet fragrance. A rose with flowers in shades of violet or blue, such as 'Veilchenblau', 'Rhapsody in Blue', or even 'Sissi', will enhance its roses.

Antoine Levet, the breeder of this rose, is part of the great tradition of Lyon rose growers.

Bred by A. Levet in 1882 (France)