There is an awkward grace to the rose Penelope that warms the heart. Plus, I was a bit cheeky in my last post on a Pemberton rose (Bloomfield Dainty, the Reverend, Well-Limed Thighs, and my Sordid World), so I thought I’d try to make amends. (Who am I kidding? I revel in the debauchery). Anyways, Hybrid Musk rose Penelope bears flowers of no particular distinction; her habit is chunky and open. Yet, I love her still. It’s as if the sum of all the awkward parts blends into a whole which is beautiful and graceful, a gawky sort of beauty.

Flowers are borne in clusters on rigid, angular canes. Penelope is a rose for those who have a soft spot in them. The canes will surge out at unexpected angles from the base, ultimately forming a shrub six feet in height if left unscathed by pruning shears. Penelope is attractive at her natural height, but she also responds well to pruning, forming a fuller shrub which blooms heavily.

Dark green leaves are more disease resistant than other Hybrid Musk roses, but this isn’t a shining recommendation. By the end of the summer, canes will be exposed to a certain degree. Formation of large, orange hips is a nice finale to the growing season. Other good qualities of Penelope include exceptional shade tolerance and an ability to thrive under less than stellar growing conditions.

Introduced: 1924, Pemberton, UK
Class: Hybrid Musk
Zones: 7-9
Parentage: ‘Ophelia’ x seedling
Color: Peach fading to cream
Form: Saucer, in clusters
Size: 6 feet x 6 feet
Fragrance: Good, musk
Of note: Clusters of ethereal, soft flowers.
Excellent re-bloom. Accepts shadier conditions than most.