There are not many dark red roses in the Tea class, but Francis Dubreuil one of them. Further, Francis Dubreuil is tolerant, healthy, and very fragrant. So many red roses have pink or magenta overtones, but Francis Dubreuil is a pure, dark, smoldering crimson. The strongly perfumed blooms are well-formed and fully double, and they mature to a slightly open form. Fragrance is truly notable for its old rose decadence. The flowers are produced on short stems repeatedly throughout the season with strong flushes in spring and fall.

Growth habit is somewhat chunky, and the foliage has slightly wavy leaflets which are characteristic of some Tea roses. Francis Dubreuil is tolerant of poor soil conditions and hot weather, and she would be a good rose for a beginner (and intermediate and expert - anyone on the planet who loves roses).

Named for Francis Dubreuil, whose best known hybrid is Perle d’Or. Of interest perhaps is that Antoine (Papa) Meilland, head of the well-known family of rose hybridizers, served as an apprentice to Francis Dubreuil. Meilland married Dubreuil’s daughter and later took over the business. Their son Francis is most famous for being the hybridizer of budwood #3-35-40…later named Peace.

Introduced: 1894, Dubreuil, France
Class: Tea
Zones: 6-9
Parentage: Unknown
Flowers: Dark crimson, well-formed, double
Size: 3 - 4 feet
Fragrance: Outstanding *One of the best.

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