I’m so thrilled that rose season is in full swing! I was right when I assumed that the roses would be spectacular this year from all of the Spring rains. Such blooms! And although some of my plants had some pretty severe die-off from a deep November frost (and thus they won’t bloom this year) some came back so splendidly that I am just smitten all over again. How could I possibly resist their charms?
first eglantine bloom of 2015
The eglantine that I mentioned in my last post is just popping with the most lovely foliage (the scented part) and delicate single petal pink roses. I get the same feeling every time I rub those leaves between my fingers and sniff the scented air that I must make another perfume with an eglantine leaf note just to have the pleasure of working with it again. I created an eglantine leaf accord for the CHROMA scent, Umber: Bois de Rose, mixed with a moody aldehydic violet – dark rose heart that may not be to everyone’s taste but I really love it.
chapeau de napoleon moss centifolia
All of this has been just in time to give me a great boost of energy for the talk I gave on Wednesday to the Rose Society of Denver at the Denver Botanic Gardens. What incredible fun it was to show isolated rose alcohols and some of the minor constituents that give various roses their unique character. Of course, I also shared examples of natural rose oils: Rosa Gallica Otto, Rosa Centifolia Abs., and Rosa Damascena Abs. The best part was having everyone hold the cards pre-scented with selected isolates in one hand and smell for them on the card with the natural rose oil in the other. Everyone’s favorite of the natural rose oils was the Centifolia and with little wonder, it’s incredibly complex with the most fabulous mildly spicy, deep rose scent with honey, berry, and violet nuances. Among all of the roses in my garden, I have to admit an immense weakness for the moss Centifolia, “Chapeau de Napoleon”, that’s looming right now. Not only is it so very beautiful, but the moss hybrid gives it a deep resinous, rose oxide kind of hit mixed with the luscious old rose scent complete with berry, honey, spice and violet nuances.
penelope blush musk rose
Another absolutely wonderful rose that’s stolen my heart is a blush, musk rose that’s just begun to bloom. The scent of the petals are quite subtle, no surprise there, as like the eglantine it”s not the flower that gives the fragrant impact, it’s the stamen. There’s a milky, ambrettolide-ish aroma that I just love. It’s pale and soft, which reflects the petals so perfectly. Needless to say, I’ve been truly inspired by these beauties; even more than in previous years. Maybe it’s because my work in general has been completely immersed (well, nearly completely) in flowers since last Autumn and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. 😃. Awesome.
I hadn’t planned on making these rose posts into a “3-parter” but I think that’s where I’m headed with it. I still want to share some more roses (Ispahan and New Dawn, in particular) before the season is over and we’ll be onto other things as the Summer progresses. Plus this gives me a chance to do another little drawing /giveaway for three more lucky winners. Just post a comment about your favorite color or genus to be entered to win a rose discovery set 2: American Beauty, Saving Grace, and Umber: Bois de Rose; all in 3ml spray samples of EdP. Entries will be allowed until June 19 at midnight. Winners will be chosen at random and prizes will be mailed out on June 30 (since I’m headed back east to see my eldest nephew graduate from High School. ) Good luck and don’t forget to get out there and smell the roses. ox
DSH notebook 
I’ve always preferred more eclectic arrangements than “just roses”, but I have to say that lately, I’ve been drawn to literally “stop and smell the roses” EVERYWHERE I see them this spring! Thank you for your inspirations and I can’t wait to smell the coming Rose launches…especially the Napoleon…sounds so interesting (especially since I’ll be traveling to France this Autumn). My upcoming visit to Provence and Lourdes has definitely brought me closer to the Rose” as it is a symbol of the Immaculate Mary 😉 Blessings to you and your work, and your words….reading your articles is like sinking into a lush novel. Thank you! Lena
Hi, Lena~
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and kind words! Oh, I envy your upcoming Provence and Lourdes trip but I know it will be SO beautiful! And I’m thrilled to hear that you are stopping and smelling the roses of late… it’s so good for you and filled with heavenly bliss! Good luck in the draw and have a lovely weekend! ❤
I do not have a fave rose, but I do think musk roses don`t get enough love! 🙂 Thank U for the draw and wonderful writing 🙂 🙂
Hi, Hotlanta Linda~ I agree completely!! Musk roses are incredibly beautiful and smell amazing as well; uniquely amazing among roses, I feel. Good luck in the drawing and thank you so much. It’s a joy to be able to get to my blog more these days. ❤
I adore old roses. I tried in vain to grow a chinese rose and a Charles de Mille only to fail for too much shade. I transported them to a favorite Aunt who grew gorgous old varieties with more favorable growing conditions. The old musks and quartered are still a weakness for me.
Hi, Lily! Thank you for stopping by and for sharing. Yes, the roses that I have where there’s a bit too much shade never get very big. I’m glad that you had a place to send them to thrive and where you could visit 🙂 I haven’t yet decided on a Chinese rose for my garden yet… sometime soon, I hope. Good luck in the drawing!
It’s so difficult to choose a favorite from among so many roses. I suppose I will go with the pale pink of your Penelope. Its tints enchant me. ❤
Hi, Sherrie~ Oh, I know… I though that the drawing question was actually a rather difficult one. 🙂 And isn’t the Penelope just breath taking? I was so happy with that image as I hadn’t been able to quite get that perfect blush that I see to happen for the camera. I’m so happy that you love it. Good luck in the drawing~ ❤
I love the older perfume roses like Paul Newton. . Love violet color. . AHHHHHH can smell it now!
Hi, Lori~ Mmmmm. I love those as well. I haven’t smelled a Paul Newton but I do have an old violet rose called “La Reine des Violettes” that’s just about to bloom. Maybe I’ll be able to get a snap of that to share. Good luck in the drawing and than you for sharing! I will try and find that rose!! ❤
Dawn I meant to say Paul Neyron, silly phone. They are gorgeous old cabbage type roses. So very lovely!
Hi, again, Lori~ Oh,yes! I love auto correct craziness…. (not); That happens to me all of the time. Thank you for letting me know; I can’t wait to look into them! 🙂
my favorite color is actually in a rose- That variety that spans from hot pink to orange in one bloom- that in-between color is amazing! Thanks for your generosity!
Hi, Cyndi~
Oh yes, I have seen and smelled that one! I have yet to figure out which type that is but I’m hot on it’s track. It’s a magical hue and the scent is incredible, too. Thank you for sharing and good luck in the drawing! ❤
I love the older perfume roses like Paul Neyron. . I adore violet color and intense fuchsia ahhhhh I can smell them now
My favorite rose is Celsiana…. a pink damask that only blooms once in June…but has the most heavenly heavenly fragrance!
Hi, Cell~ Oh I love this!! So many roses that I haven’t smelled yet but now I know about them! Thank you so much for sharing Celsiana and good luck in the drawing!
would love to try your Umber. My favorite is probably rose de mai
Hi, Joe~ Oh, well, you just might like Umber. It’s rather eclectic but I think it might suit you… Oh yes, Rose de Mai… LOVE. Good luck in the drawing AND I hope that the first set gets to you soon. It’s on the way! ox ❤
I would have loved to have been at your talk at the Botanical Gardens. I know so little about growing roses. Florida is a tough place to grow them, with the high humidity and summer rains. They get fungus easily and you have to use chemicals that are really toxic to stave off black spot. I did have one successful rose bush, Mr. Lincoln a hybrid tea, that had a wonderful fragrance. I love going to Botanical Gardens in whatever state I am visiting. Maybe someday I can visit the one in Denver.
Hi, Tora~ Oh goodness, I didn’t realize that Florida was so hard on roses but it makes sense. Oh but you can grow night blooming jasmine and gardenias….and so many wonderful aromatics. The Mr. Lincoln sounds beautiful; I’ll have to look into that one as well. I hope that you’ll come to visit me in Boulder and check out the Botanic Gardens in Denver as well. They’re lovely! Good luck in the drawing and thank you for sharing.
I love most old roses and nearly all of the reblooming David Austen hybrids, especially the yolk-yellow fragrant Graham Thomas. And I love the strong-growing but somehow refined and elegant New Dawn. Delighted to hear that you are immersed in florals. They are my favorite class of perfumery
Hi, Feraljasmine~ Oh yes, I love the old roses (my focus really in my little garden) and the David Austen’s, too, but I haven’t had much luck growing the Austens. I haven’t given up on them, though. I love the New Dawn as well… I have a climbing variety of ND and it’s just about to bloom. Can’t wait! Good luck in the drawing and big hugs~ ❤
My favorite color of rose is peach-colored, but I don’t even know what genus they are! I don’t have much of a garden. I love rose scents, and I would love to try these three scents of yours! Thank you for the drawing.
Hi, Elizabeth~ Oh there’s some amazing peach roses. I especially love some of the David Austen English roses that are peach colored. Good luck in the drawing!
my favorite color has to be White though it was blue not long ago…white is not a color as much as the combination of every color but it is just so easy and pleasant to the eyes
Hi, Fazal Cheema~ Yes, the white roses are so lovely and have that fabulous deep woody nuance in their scent. Wonderful! Good luck in the drawing~
I love the darkest purple-black shades and the softes pinks. And anything you brew. 😉
Hi, Jen!! It’s so wonderful to see you here; thank you for stopping by!! 🙂 Yeah: I like just about any flower in the darkest shades, especially black. Thank you for the kind words and good luck in the drawing! oxox ❤
It’s difficult to pick a favorite rose but for color, any of the peachy pink ones are my faves. The Peace Rose is a favorite, a hybrid tea with light yellow petals tipped in crimson pink. I used to have a Mr. Lincoln rose bush. The blooms were the most gorgeous red velvet and the fragrance was beautiful.
Hi, Queen Cupcake~ Oh that’s two for Mr. Lincoln. I have to get one. 🙂 I’ve heard of the Peace Rose as well, but I’ve never smelled one. Another for my list.
Thank you for your comment; it’s great to see you here. Good luck in the drawing ❤
The Centifolia sounds amazing, and I think I’d rather welcome all these old roses in perfumery, since the fresher ones don’t really work well for me but turn sour. Whenever I see a rose I think; ‘that one is the prettiest’, I really don’t think I could choose one colour or even specimen over another. Scentwise, I probably could, but even the simple rugosa ones are beautiful in their particular way. I would love to be entered into your draw, thanks a lot, and thanks for all the information that is always so interesting to read.
Hi, Asali~ Yes, I have a similar issue with rose fragrances; they smell so sweet they’re sour on my skin. I have made a couple that are good for me but I pretty much just love creating them. Good luck in the drawing and thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
Hi There! It’s so hard to pick a favorite color period, and with flowers it’s especially difficult. I really love them all, but I do love the simplicity of white roses, the darkness of Turkish Halfeti black roses, and I have to say the Chapeau de Napolean and the Penelope Blush Musk roses are really stunning(lovely photos)! Thanks for putting together another drawing!
Hi, Meli67~ OH, the Halfeti sounds totally amazing… another for my research list! 🙂 Thank you for the kind words for the photos; I’m sure that you can tell how much I love my roses! ❤ Good luck in the drawing and thank you for sharing! I'm learning so much from everyone…
I have a weakness for pink roses. In fact, I have three new bushes waiting to be planted, as soon as the rain passes. At the garden center I’m sure I get looks, as my rose selection process always involves putting my nose to the rose and inhaling. No scent? No sale!
HI, Cynthia~ 🙂 You are not alone, Cynthia, about the “no scent, no sale” concept. It’s actually the most common thing to do when even getting near a rose: the unconscious thing to do is smell it. SOOO many rose lovers say they have little to no use for the “light / no scent ” roses. They may be beautiful to look at but there has to be a scent, too! (And for me, the more interesting the scent, the more I want it). Good luck in the drawing and thank you for sharing!
I love the ‘Queen of Sweden’ – soft pink petals with hints of apricot
Hi, Hofken~ That’s a lovely one. I have seen that beauty at our Dushanbe Tea House garden in Boulder. Thank you for sharing and good luck in the drawing!
My favorite rose has to be Cherry Brandy. Bright fuschia outside and creamy yellow inside, with shades of coral and orange in between. I’ve never smelled one, though. I have no talent with plants, but my husband and I are planning to plant rose shrubs within the next year, and these multicolored varieties are at the top of our list.
The way Cherry Brandy looks reminds me very much of the way La Reine des Fleurs feels and smells. I adore it. Elegant, warm, and luminous.
Thank you, Heather, for sharing about Cherry Brandy rose. I feel as though I have come across that rose but I’m not completely sure. Now I’m going to have to research it to see and smell it 😃. Also thank you for your email which I haven’t had the chance to reply to as I’m about of town but will surely upon my return when I have stable internet service… I’m so happy to see you here and good luck in the drawing! Oxox ❤