Honey Perfume Rose

If you’re looking for a fragrant flower, its hard to go wrong with the honey perfume rose.  It’s been an award winner around the world in just the first few years its been introduced.

Although it was only released in 2004, its quickly grown very popular in the gardening world.  In fact, it was an All-American rose selection that same year!  Jackson and Perkins is the chief marketer on this, but Keith Zary, a lesser known breeder, was the one who first developed it. 

It’s no secret why it is so popular.  This rose has beautiful yellow-apricot petals and blooms that are good sized.  They’ll easily measure 4 inches across.  The apricot or peach color is interesting, as it can also get a yellowish tinge to it, which probably explains the name.  Of course, the fantastic fragrance also explains the name!  This has an awesome sweet scent that is not too overpowering.

These plants will get up to four feet high or so.  Some people like them as a border but I think with the smell you’d want these nearer your house or on a path where you can enjoy them!  Its not too thorny so it will definitely work as cut flowers too, especially since they tend to repeat bloom.

This flower is definitely a repeat bloomer.  What’s more is that it will go all summer and well into the fall.  Some areas it will easily get into October with nice blooms, although that is more in the southern climates.

From a gardening aspect, it’s a great flower to have around.  If you can, get it in the full sun, but it can still do OK in partial shade.  Being an AARS, its extremely tough against mildew and blackspot.  I haven’t heard any reports on it.  It a great low-maintenance floribunda!