(1991)  Page(s) 40.  Includes photo(s).
 
Constance Spry Raised by David Austin, Wolverhampton, in 1961, this rose is a hybrid between an old Gallica Rose, 'Belle Isis', and a floribunda, 'Dainty Maid'. The flower harks back to the most sumptuous of old roses, and has the rare fragrance of myrrh, known in only two roses of earlier origin, neither of which is in the parentage. But if a new colour could crop up in the 1920s, why not a new scent in the 1960s? The lax growth is unmanageable as a bush; it is therefore best on a wall or support....... Growths that have flowered should be shortened, old wood removed and new growths tied back in winter.

(1991)  Page(s) 83.  
 
....At the back is the unique 'Belle Amour' whose colour contains a hint of salmon and whose scent foreshadows the hint of myrrh in Constance Spry.

[See also 1993-44 refererence]

(1991)  Page(s) 121.  
 
If we retrace our steps to the bed of China roses in the First Garden, we shall find several roses of true dark crimson. Direct from China in sendings since the end of the eighteenth century is 'Chi Long Han Zhu' which signifies 'with a pearl in red dragon's mouth' and is also known as 'Willmott's Crimson China'. Not far removed from it but with rather larger and fuller flowers, is the old French hybrid Cramoisi Superieur of 1832...... It should be noted that all these roses have flowers of intense dark red but are only faintly scented. The colour darkens with age, which is the wont of R. chinensis var. spontanea itself.

(1991)  Page(s) 126.  Includes photo(s).
 
p126.  Debutante of 1902, at first sight reminds one of the well-known 'Dorothy Perkins' but is infinitely more beautiful and delicately fragrant.  It has neat dark green foliage and the flower sprays are delightfully set with pale green bracts. 

p128.  Debutante, rather pale, after a a hot day.  ....should have their old flowered shoots removed from the base immediately after flowering, in order to encourage strong new shoots which in turn will bear the flowering shoots for the next summer. 

(1991)  Page(s) 45.  Includes photo(s).

(1991)  Page(s) 26.  Includes photo(s).
 
In Gloire des Mousseux we have superior vigorous growth, light green leaves and mossy buds, opening into large, full blooms, expanding well and reflexing, of clear bright pink, fading to paler tones.

(1991)  Page(s) 43.  Includes photo(s).
 
'Hippolyte'. This is a gallica hybrid for which we have no date. Strangely it is almost prickle-less and in this way as in the shape and colour of the flowers Gallica ancestry is indicated. Reaching 5 or 6ft (1.5 or 1.8m) in height it is of graceful habit, bearing beautiful little flat flowers like rosettes, smooth petalled, reflexing into a ball, with 'button' eyes. An occasional cerise petal, or one of dove-grey, light the many others which are generally of soft rosy violet.

(1991)  Page(s) 58.  Includes photo(s).
 
Madame Hardy (above).  The incomparable Madame Hardy, which made her entry in 1832, will always be in our gardens. The photograph reinforces the selection of the title of "shrub roses" for these stalwarts of the nineteenth century. When my first list of these old roses for sale was issued in the early 1950s I chose The Old Shrub Roses for its title; this was to indicate that the plants were completely different from the innumerable bush roses - the Hybrid Teas and the Floribundas - of popular esteem.  And what a display the shrub roses make, as this book will demonstrate to the unconvinced.  'Madame Hardy' has all the assets - superlative blooms, flatly and fully double, quartered with button eyes, and a green pointel in the centre and an unforgettable, sweet scent. All this on a fine big shrub with good foliage. Prune after flowering and reduce long shoots in winter 

(1991)  Page(s) 21.  
 
'Mme. Pierre Oger'......never equalled for the charm of their circular blooms

(1991)  Page(s) 62.  Includes photo(s).
 
Madame Zoetmans (opposite). Good old Saponaria ocymoides, an engaging, floriferous romper, usually grown on rock gardens, is equally at home in any well drained soil. It is a native of the Alps and Pyrenees and loves full sunshine. It's sheaves of pink flowers blend very happily with the Damask Rose 'Madame Zoetmans'  which owns to a faint blush over her white petals. The petals are many, densely, filling the sumptuous flowers, and are usually quartered and with button eyes. The growth is short, to about 3 feet (90 cm), but is inclined to be floppy and repays the support of three or four stout stakes  2 feet (60 cm) out of the ground, connected with horizontals at the top, over which the stems can gracefully hang.