Article (newsletter)  (Nov 2012)  Page(s) 25, 26(photo).  Includes photo(s).
 
“Secret Garden Musk Climber.” (2010 Desert Rose Society Rose Show and 2011 Pacific Rose Society Rose Show) This rose was found by Joyce Demits in northern California; there are apocryphal stories about the venue where it was found, the circumstances and subsequent history, but one source indicates that discovery took place before 1993. The original plants are believed to be lost ...The Modern Roses XII database classifies it as a Large Flowered Climber; hmf.com lists it as a Hybrid Musk, and those who appreciate its fragrance suggest that it be classified as a Hybrid Moschata. In southern California it blooms twelve months out of the year. In other parts of the country, it reportedly will sustain temperatures down to zero degrees. It is a slow growing plant up to fifteen feet or more with a width of eight or more feet. The blooms are constant, consisting of small sprays of single, milk-white petals with an overpowering aroma of cloves and honey. That the scent is unmistakable is clear, and the descriptions run the gamut from ‘similar to sticking your nose in a jar of cloves’ per Kathy Strong, to cloves moderated by a honey scent (Jeri Jennings) to a scent with a remarkable clean afterscent (the author). There are five to seven leaflets of matte medium green foliage. Bees and hummingbirds take up residence in the large golden stamens.....

Book  (2011)  Page(s) 108.  Includes photo(s).
 
"Secret Garden Musk Climber". (photo by Jeri Jennings.)

Newsletter  (Nov 2010)  Page(s) 22.  Includes photo(s).
 
“Secret Garden Musk Climber” It’s All About The Fragrance! (Found Rose, Demits, Climbs, Very Fragrant, Fully Remontant)

Website/Catalog  (2005)  Page(s) 4.  
 
“Secret Garden Musk Climber” (Presumed R. moschata Hybrid; Found, Joyce Demits; Parentage, Introducer, & Date Unknown) A probable R. moschata hybrid, of unknown origin, the very existence of “Secret Garden Musk Climber” illustrates the importance of rose discovery and preservation. Joyce Demits found this rose at an old homestead, near the Gold Rush towns of Jamestown and Sonora. The elderly rancher passed away a short time later. His homestead and its roses are gone now – bulldozed in the interests of modern development. This rose might well have been lost forever. A big, graceful, continuously-blooming climber , “SGMC” fills the air around it with spicy, moschata fragrance. Mature plants grow in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden, and the Descanso Gardens, La Canada, California.
December, 2008: There is now very good evidence that the circumstances and location of the discovery site are apocryphal. (But it IS a great story!) J.Jennings