Rose of The Week - The Incomparable Cecile Brunner

What a magnificent rose. Cecile Brunner has been around since 1894, and for a few weeks every spring, is an absolute show stopper in MrMartha's garden.

MrMartha's plant is about fifteen years old and has grown into a huge magnificent pillar. Trained originally onto a fence, the bush is now at least three times as high as the original support, and holds shape by intertwining its canes. Most commonly thought of as a climber, some would call this rose a rambler.

Officially categorized as a Polyantha Rose, there are also non climbing and 'improved' versions which will flower repeatedly rather than the one grand show each year. The plant is covered with perfect miniature sized blooms in classic hybrid tea shape. Each bloom starts out a sweet blush pink, and fades to a pinkish white tone with age. Every bloom is perfection in its own right, and a large well grown mature specimen of the plant will be blanketed with literally hundreds, if not over a thousand blooms at its peak.

Read More for some additional details about this amazing rose, and more photos of MrMartha's showpiece in full glorious bloom.

The plant itself is nearly thornless, effectively disease free, will tolerate less than perfect soil, and even some shade. While it takes many years for Cecile Brunner to reach the amazing proportions found in MrMartha's garden, the plant will be well established and a beautiful addition to any garden after two or three years. It would do well planted against any fence, along the side of a house, on a strong structural support like an arbor arch or heavy pillar framework. It also takes well to being trained up into another tree as framework.

This rose is also commonly referred to as the "Sweetheart Rose" and also known as Mignon. The new growth appears as a deep rusty red tone, and the foliage when not in bloom is a leathery medium green that provides wonderful structure and background for other later blooming plants planted in front of it, or in the general vicinity. It is very fragrant, and a large mature plant in bloom will scent the entire garden, and probably most of the neighbors gardens as well with it's distinctive classic rose perfume.

Cecile Brunner was originally hybridized by Jean Claude Pernet, père (October 15, 1832 - March 31, 1896) was a French rosarian known for his cultivation of rose cultivars. He was born to a family of rose growers in Villeurbanne, Rhône, near the city of Lyon. His father, Claude Pernet, established a rose nursery in 1845. Cecile was apparently named after the daughter of another rose breeder.

Some lovely photos of Cecile Brunner used in rose arrangements are HERE.

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Rose of The Week

GARDENS OF THE WORLD

Gardens of the World was named after a PBS series hosted by the late Audrey Hepburn. The program visited many famous international gardens, with the always lovely and elegant Ms. Hepburn providing commentary and insight into what makes a garden truly spectacular.

The namesake rose is equally spectacular. Petals have a creamy base tone with a deep cerise edging. The petal shape has a wonderful ruffled edge, and the blooms are full blown and gorgeous. A profusion of blooms make a spectacular show on a compact and reasonably vigorous plant.

Blooms last an exceptionally long time as cut flowers. Introduced by US hybridizer Jackson & Perkins in conjunction with the television show in 1993. The plants were offered as fund raising premiums by many PBS stations, and also available in nurseries. Not the easiest variety to find currently, it is well worth seeking out. Also known as Paris Pink.

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Rose of The Week

PRINCESSE DE MONACO

If your namesake is Grace Kelly -- Her Serene Highness Princess Grace, you better be an exceptionally spectacular rose, and this incredible Hybrid Tea certainly does justice to the iconic beauty it commemorates.

A tall and stately plant that still retains a shapely and compact growth pattern, it brings forth a profusion of blooms in creamy white, edged in a delicate pink. Large and fullblown blooms are classically shaped and elegant in form.

Good disease resistance, with nice glossy foliage and moderate fruity fragrance. The flowers hold well in a vase, and are excellent for cutting.

Patented by Meilland of France in 1982 as a tribute to the untimely passing of the Princess. The plant is also known and sometimes sold as Grace Kelly or Princess Grace.

Click READ MORE to see a photo of this gorgeous rose bush in full bloom.

Viewing the blooms of this rose, MrMartha is reminded of Grace Kelly's entrance in the film 'High Society'. When, as the headstrong heiress Tracy Lord, she sweeps into the room in a cream and pink striped Edith Head confection of an afternoon gown, full skirted with organdy ruffles -- to meet the reporters Mr. Conner and Miss Embry (of Duluth). That was one of the classic moments of Grace Kelly's onscreen luminosity, and this rose captures it perfectly!

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Rose of The Week

LAS VEGAS

A Hybrid Tea, in a stunning reddish orange blend.

It displays all the glitz, intensity, and glamour of its namesake.

Brilliant in a sunny garden, very favorable for cutting and displaying in a vase.
Approximately 3.5' tall, dark glossy foliage, good disease resistance. Flowers are born singly on the stem, and later in the season in small clusters.

Patented by Kordes of Germany in 1981, this popular rose is still readily available. It receives high ratings in all categories. Though not noted for its fragrance, that is the only weak aspect of any otherwise fabulous rose. This is a favorite in MrMartha's garden.

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Keep The Faith......

Summer will be here again soon....

The rose is Fountain Square, a Hybrid Tea with robust Gardenia looking blossoms, dark green foliage and good disease resistance. The blooms from this variety don't last long in the vase, so enjoy them on the plant.

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