Roses are celebrated for their beauty and fragrance, and selecting varieties with the most alluring scents can take your garden to the next level. Jason from Fraser Valley Rose Farm shares his top picks for fragrant roses, highlighting their diverse colors, growth habits, and distinctive scents. While roses share an underlying “rose” fragrance, their scents can range from sweet and fruity to musky, spicy, or even reminiscent of myrrh.
This article explores Jason’s top 20 fragrant roses, offering insights into why each one deserves a place in your garden.
Roses with Unique and Complex Fragrances
1. Ebb Tide
This deep purple beauty is garden-worthy not only for its striking color but also for its rich, complex clove-like fragrance. Its scent makes it a standout among purple roses.
2. Fragrant Cloud
With coral-salmon blooms, Fragrant Cloud adds a warm hue to the garden. Its sweet citrusy fragrance compensates for its susceptibility to powdery mildew, which can be managed with care.
3. Kazanlik
This true damask rose is renowned for its role in perfume production, particularly in Bulgaria. Its classic damask scent is unmistakable and epitomizes the “perfume bottle” rose fragrance.
Modern Roses That Won’t Disappoint
4. Papa Meilland
A striking red rose with dark shading, Papa Meilland offers an intense damask fragrance reminiscent of old garden roses. Its bold color and strong scent make it unforgettable.
5. Fragrant Plum
This mauve-to-purple hybrid tea rose has a fruity fragrance that perfectly complements its name. Its elegance and scent make it a garden favorite.
6. Francis Meilland
Nearly white with pale pink shading at the center, this rose carries a refreshing citrus scent. It’s a graceful choice for a fragrant addition to your garden.
Notable David Austin Roses
David Austin’s breeding program is renowned for prioritizing fragrance alongside beauty. Two standout examples include:
7. Gertrude Jekyll
Known for its strong pink blooms and intense classic rose fragrance, this climber is a popular choice for fragrance enthusiasts.
8. Scepter’d Isle
With its distinctive myrrh scent, this pale pink rose represents the unique fragrance profiles often found in David Austin roses. The myrrh note sets it apart from traditional rose scents.
Sweet and Musk-Inspired Roses
9. Heirloom
This mauve blend rose is Jason’s pick for the sweetest rose fragrance. Its sugary scent is unforgettable and adds charm to any garden.
10. Firefighter
With its vibrant fire-engine red blooms, Firefighter combines bold color with a musky scent reminiscent of hybrid musk roses. It’s both striking and fragrant.
11. Leontine Gervais
This apricot-colored rambler delivers a powerful musk fragrance. Its vigorous growth and unique scent make it a great addition to gardens featuring climbing roses.
Climbers with Distinct Scents
12. Aloha
With silvery pink blooms, Aloha offers a delightful apple fragrance that’s truly unique among climbers. It pairs beauty with fragrance for an all-around winning rose.
13. Francis E. Lester
This rambler features white blooms with pink edges and a distinct clove fragrance. It’s a charming choice for fences and trellises.
Roses for Perfume Lovers
14. Madame Plantier
An alba hybrid with a sweet fragrance, Madame Plantier blooms early in the season and showcases the traditional scent of alba roses, often used in white rose oil production.
15. Sydonie
This hybrid perpetual boasts a strong damask fragrance with a classic buttoned-center bloom. Its mid-pink flowers are a perfect example of timeless rose elegance.
Rugosa Roses: Tough and Fragrant
16. Roseraie de l’Hay
This iconic rugosa rose is celebrated for its richly textured magenta blooms and intense clove-like scent. It’s both beautiful and hardy, thriving in a variety of conditions while offering season-long blooms and decorative hips. Rugosa roses like this one are a fantastic choice for fragrance lovers seeking low-maintenance roses.
Colorful and Spicy Roses
17. Angel Face
This purple rose combines stunning color with a fresh citrus scent. It’s a delightful rose that balances beauty and fragrance.
18. Sheila’s Perfume
As its name suggests, Sheila’s Perfume delivers an exceptional spicy fragrance. Its pink and yellow blooms add a splash of vibrant color to the garden.
Yellow Roses That Smell as Good as They Look
19. Sunsprite
For those seeking a fragrant yellow rose, Sunsprite offers a strong, sweet scent paired with non-fading blooms. It’s a reliable choice for brightening the garden with fragrance.
Timeless Favorites
20. Rose de Rescht
Jason’s personal favorite for scent, Rose de Rescht blends a damask fragrance with a more complex Gallica scent. This deep pink Portland rose delivers a sophisticated fragrance profile that sets it apart.
Why Fragrance Matters in Roses
Choosing fragrant roses transforms a garden into a sensory experience. Whether you prefer the classic damask scent, fruity or citrus notes, or muskier profiles, there’s a rose on this list for you. From the perfume-worthy Kazanlik to the sugary sweetness of Heirloom and the spicy allure of Sheila’s Perfume, these roses offer something for every nose and every garden.
Conclusion
Jason’s selection of 20 fragrant roses showcases the incredible variety available for gardeners seeking to enhance their landscapes with captivating scents. Whether you choose classic damasks, modern hybrids, or tough rugosas, these roses combine beauty and fragrance for a garden you’ll love.
