Fragrant Rose - February 2025

February 2025

Meet Your New Editor

In a delightful turn of events, I have once again taken the helm as editor of the beloved The Fragrant Rose eNewsletter. This vibrant publication, cherished by readers for over a decade, has undergone various transformations over the years and hopefully, my return signals a nostalgic revival of its original charm blended with fresh perspectives.

During my initial tenure, the eNewsletter blossomed into a platform that celebrated not only the beauty of fragrant roses but also the community of rose enthusiasts around the globe.

In today’s digital age, where trends shift rapidly, the upcoming issues promise a rich tapestry of articles featuring expert advice, stories from fellow rose aficionados, our favorite fragrant roses and innovative gardening techniques. My aim is to create a community where knowledge is shared and friendships blossom, mirroring the very essence of gardening itself and mission of the American Rose Society.

As the eNewsletter launches its new season, you can expect a delightful mix of nostalgia and innovation. The phrase “everything old is new again” perfectly encapsulates this exciting chapter for The Fragrant Rose. And I believe the publication is poised to once again flourish, reminding us all that the beauty of roses—and the joy of sharing that beauty—never fades.

This month, Love is in the air as we celebrate Valentine's Day where the long stem red rose is often the gift of choice. In my garden, I cultivate 'Veterans’ Honor' my go to long stem red. What's your favorite? Send me a note with your favorites and they might be featured in an upcoming issue.

Chris VanCleave

Editor

BELOW: 'Veterans’ Honor', photo by Tom Mayhew

THIS MONTH'S FRAGRANT ROSE

'Lady of Shallot'

Rich orange-red buds open to chalice-shaped blooms, filled with loosely arranged, orange petals. The surrounding outer petals are salmon-pink with beautifully contrasting golden-yellow undersides. There is a pleasant, warm Tea fragrance, with hints of spiced apple and cloves. It quickly forms a bushy shrub with slightly arching stems and mid-green leaves, which have attractive, slightly bronzed tones when young. The name is taken from one of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poems, “The Lady of Shallot”, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth. Introduced by David Austin, 2009.

What’s your favorite fragrant rose?

E-mail yours to chris.vancleave@icloud.com to be featured in an upcoming issue of The Fragrant Rose.

ABOVE: Comments and hybridization notes provided by the Editor.

Rose Chat Podcast

With Matt Douglas

DOn this episode of the Rose Chat Podcast, Host Teresa Byington chats with Matt Douglas, owner of High Country Roses about one of the most amazing attributes of the rose - her fragrance. We'll take a look at some of the most fragrant roses from old garden roses to modern roses that are on the market today.

You just might learn about roses that would fit perfectly in your garden and add the wonderful fragrance we love.

The Fragrance of Roses, Past and Present

By Carolyn Elgar, Master Rosarian, Orange County Rose Society

This article received an AOM in 2012

If you love roses, there’s a very good chance that their fragrance is one of your favorite things about them. That’s why it’s hard to believe that, in the past, fragrance was not a key priority in commercial hybridizing. The history of rose popularity and commercialization sheds some light on how this came about.

The Fragrance of Roses, Past and Present

Your New Executive Director

Beth Smiley, ARS Executive Director

During this month of love - most often set to images of roses - Instead of buying cut roses that fade in days, plant a rose bush with your love and enjoy beautiful blooms all year long. And to be sure that your rose bush grows into the beautiful plant you envision, gift your love a membership to the American Rose Society. You will learn everything you need to know about how to grow great roses through our educational tools - American Rose, www.rose.org. and the digital member bookshelf. You can also ask questions on our rose forum (www.forum.rose.org) and have our member experts answer your questions. Whatever your rose need, the ARS is here to help! Join today, www.rose.org.

Beth Smiley

Executive Director, American Rose Society

Dear Rose Friends

Craig Dorschel, ARS President

This is my first opportunity to write to you as President of the American Rose Society, and I would like to tell you why I think the ARS is important for lovers of the rose. We are an organization with a mission, a mission to support research in areas such as control of rose rosette disease, to support preservation of rare and significant rose varieties with projects like our rambler initiative, and most importantly to be the primary source of rose education. The Fragrant Rose is one such educational (and entertaining) publication, and Consulting and Master Rosarians are on duty to advise anyone interested in roses. But members receive the American Rose magazine, either in print or in digital form and have free access to our webinar series. In addition, members receive discounts from vendors and free or reduced admission to botanic gardens nationwide. Right now there are special offers for new members, so why not join today?

Despite the ice, snow and frigid temperatures here in New England, spring is coming, or already here in some places. Now is the time to think roses. Happy gardening!

Craig Dorschel

President, American Rose Society

So much more than just just a magazine subscription!

For many, growing roses is a passion. A membership in the American Rose Society can help you create the rose garden of your dreams in your own back yard.

Enjoy the camaraderie and support of a network of rose growers who are eager to share, learn and grow together.

Learn more about membership in the ARS CLICK HERE.