Book  (2012)  Page(s) 45.  Includes photo(s).
 
'Mary Davis'. This wonderful, exuberant rose is truly fitting for the devoted Mary. Bred from 'Thornfree Wonder' and 'Veilchenblau' in 1984, it rambles freely and, as it is thornless, is well suited to a bower over a gate. It is an expansive shrub capable of exceeding three metres in height and width. The blooms in large corymbs are purple shading to white at the centre with a coronet of golden stamens, reminiscent of 'Veilchenblau', but unlike her parent she stays firmly purple without fading to grey. Without doubt this is one of our favourites of Ken's roses for its generosity of blooms in spring and summer. 'Mary Davis' always stops you with the spectacle of its many flowers covering the plants almost entirely. Loved by us, it is also much loved by the bees in spite of the absence of fragrance.

Magazine  (2007)  Page(s) 45, Vol 21, No. 3.  Includes photo(s).
 
Lloyd Chapman. The Best of Ken Nobbs Roses.
Photo: 'Mary Davies'.
'Mary Davis' is an expansive shrub, capable of exceeding 3 metres high and wide. it produces blooms in huge corymbs in spring, with pale purple single blooms, a white eye, and a coronet of golden stamens. There is no fragrance but she has wonderful small hips (4mm). An outstanding spectacle in November, this rose stops visitors in their tracks.
Both the above roses['Charlotte Kemp' and 'Mary Davis'] were produced in 1984. On his International Registration form Nobbs gives the breeding as 'Thornfree Wonder' x 'Veilchenblau'. 'Thornfree Wonder' is another 'Tausendschon' seedling.