Rose 'Mme Isaac Pereire'

Often described as having the strongest fragrance of any rose, this Bourbon rose is a sensory delight for UK gardeners. It produces very large, double, cupped flowers of a deep, blowzy magenta-pink. The scent is incredibly powerful, sweet, and heady. It is a vigorous plant that can be grown as a large, sprawling shrub (up to 2m) or trained as a climber on a wall or pillar (up to 3m). It flowers heavily in midsummer and will produce a second, often better, flush of blooms in autumn as the weather cools. The foliage is large and dark green, though it requires good management to prevent mildew and blackspot, to which it can be susceptible. It thrives in a sunny spot with plenty of food and water. Regular deadheading and spring feeding are essential to keep it performing at its best. It is a quintessential Victorian rose that deserves a place for its scent alone.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct.