Like Scentimental, Climbing rose Berries n Cream is a painterly rose, owing some inspiration perhaps to the old parrot tulips. Berries n Cream is a climbing rose, and the nearly thornless canes are a help to those among us who are likely to stumble around drunk in the garden at night bumping into things. A strange recommendation, I’m aware, but apt since I awoke this past weekend to hear something (or someone) careening around the garden. I’ll never really know what was going on, although a half-empty bottle of dark Jamaican rum gave some clues the next morning. Anyways, back to our climbing rose Berries n Cream…

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Rose Clotilde Soupert produces clusters of flowers in the manner of typical of the Polyantha class, and more, each flower is outstanding when considered alone. Soft blush or light pink flowers are fully double and cupped. Fragrance is excellent, unusual for most Polyantha roses. Flowering profusely over a long season, one can forgive Clotilde Soupert occasional balling in wet weather. Clotilde Soupert would be a good choice as a container rose or for the middle of the mixed border. There is a climbing sport of Clotilde Soupert that grows to fifteen feet and retains the good qualities of its parent.

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Zéphirine Drouhin is one of the most popular Bourbon roses, and with good reason. Major flushes of intensely pink blooms occur in spring and fall, with lesser flowering occurring intermittently during summer. The flowers are gorgeous high-centered cerise-pink affairs, and they are borne on canes which are nearly thornless. This rose would be a good choice for high-traffic areas or those places where children play. Fragrance, typical of Bourbon roses, is outstanding.

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With rounded, somewhat grayish-green leaves and an upright habit of growth, rose Basye’s Blueberry is reminiscent of a blueberry shrub; further, its leaves age to an attractive red fall color which is similar to the spectacular fall display blueberry shrubs put on. Dr. Robert Basye, a retired mathematics professor at Texas A and M University, has bred roses for over sixty years; his endeavor has been to breed thornless roses of great disease resistance, especially to blackspot. His efforts have paid off with some wonderful roses, including Belinda’s Dream and Basye’s Purple Rose.

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Named for the daughter of one of Dr. Robert Basye’s friends, Belinda’s Dream is a lovely rose which is tough and durable. A shrub rose, Belinda’s Dream is an outstanding choice for those who wish to grow beautiful roses without the need for constant spraying and coddling (which should include all of the rose gardening population). Fat, clear pink buds open to fully double flowers. Fragrance is excellent, and blooms are produced throughout the entire growing season.

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