December 8: A Bouquet of Roses for the Blessed Virgin Mary

My entry for December 8 in 'Gardening with God' begins with A SELECTION OF OLD GARDEN ROSES, chosen especially for Our Lady. There are 15. Here they are with their date of introduction and some of their characteristics:

"GALLICAS:
1. 'Apothecary' (var. officinalis) pre-1300; fragrant, pale crimson; 3 feet; bushy, tidy; small round hips.
2. 'Charles de Mills': origin unknown; fragrant; wine-red; small pink and white flecks; 5 feet; beautiful pettern of petals.
3. 'Rosa Mundi': Before 1500, slightly fragrant; pale pink, striped crimson; 3 feet.
4. 'Tuscany Superb': 1848; fragrant; dark burgundy turning to damson; 4 feet; does not have as many thorns as most roses.

ALBAS:
5. 'Celestial' before 1800; very fragrant; almond pink; 6 feet; upright; robust; good for hedging.
6. 'Maiden's Blush': 1400; very fragrant; pale pink; 5 feet'; upright and vigorous.
7. 'Queen of Denmark': 1826; very fragrant; pink (dianthus)scented; rose madder; siver-green foliage; 5 feet.

DAMASK
8. 'Isaphan': pre-1832; fragrant; pink; upright; R.H.S. award winner 5 feet.

CENTIFOLIAS
9. 'Fantin-Latour': (Provence or Cabbage rose): 1900; fragrant; delicate blush pink; 5 feet; upright; R.H.S. award winner.
10. 'Cristata': 1826 fragramt; deep pink; 5 feet.

BOURBONS
11. 'Souvenir de la Malmaison': 1843; very fragrant; white flushed pink; 6 feet; climbing form available as well as true bush type; unlike Gallicas and albas is a repeat flowerer.
12. 'Louise Odier': 1851; fragrant; rose-pink; 4 feet; repeat flowerer; may need support.
13. 'Madame Isaac Pereire': 1881; deep pink; very fragrant; huge flowers; 6 to 7 feet; repeat flowerer.
14. 'Zephrine Drouhin' (thornless rose) 1868; very fragrant; carmine-pink; climber or bush; dead-head to ensure repeat flowering.***

RUGOSA
15. 'Rosarie de l'Hay': 1901; fragrant; wine red; bushy, repeat flowerer; 6-7 feet; will grow in poor soil and exposed conditions."

Copyright material. Jane Mossendew 2002.

For meditation and spiritual raasons for these choices and the history and lore of the rose, please see my 'Thoughts from an Oasis ....' blog, today and during the coming week. Link in sidebar.

*** This rose is definitely Our Lady's rose this year. Explanation on the Oasis blog.