These three from David Austin Roses:
'Olivia Rose Austin' Rose
(Rosa 'Ausmixture')
David Austin himself says this new cultivar is "possibly the best rose we've ever bred." Named for his granddaughter, this rose flowers a full three weeks earlier than most others, and — at least in England — it blooms along with lilacs and wisteria. Austin's technical director Michael Marriott says "it's achingly beautiful, fragrant, and as close to disease-free as we've ever seen." Moreover, it's a re-bloomer, and the scent is medium strong. The leaves are a dark green, making a nice contrast with the soft pink flowers. Three and half feet tall, three feet wide. Zones 5-10.
'The Poet's Wife' Rose
(Rosa 'Auswhirl')
This rose is only the 16th Austin rose with yellow flowers, and it's one of the most fragrant of all. According to Marriott, it's a rose of "superlatives," with a rich yellow color, and a strong and appealing aroma of Old Rose with hints of lemon rind, peach and mango. It's also a tough and reliable, with excellent disease resistance and repeat blooms. "It was worth the wait for this glorious yellow rose," says Marriott. It's a low-growing rose, about four feet high and 3.5 wide, so it would be great for the front of the border. Zones 5-10.
'Lady of the Lake' Rose
(Rosa 'Ausherbert')
This rambler rose produces lots of flowers, and it has a strong citrus scent. The blooms are a blush pink with yellow stamens, and it re-blooms throughout the season. It's a short rambler at 10 to 15 feet, perfect for a trellis, an obelisk, walls or even climbing through a small tree. Hardy in Zones 7-10, but will grow in Zone 6 with winter protection.
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