As with many other early English Roses, this one was not widely marketed, nor widely grown. That said, it is one of the early Austin roses that stand out in my climate and my conditions. I once said, while being questioned in an interview about my rose collection, specifically about Lilac Rose"s fragrance: "It is like putting your nose in a dream!" and I will stand by that statement. We have three specimens growing in the South Okanagan of BC and it is a very, very good rose in this climate. I will state specifically, that the plants we have are at least 30 years in the ground in a public garden, so "well established" is a good term. This is an early English Rose that deserves to be more widely grown, at least in a hot dry summer climate. Cold hardy to zone 5b if not lower too.

This blooms quite well in a pot in my Chicago qarden. However, it does not have a strong fragrance; it has a moderate fragrance. It is not what I'd call a star of the garden, but--like a garden phlox--it can contribute as part ot the backbone of a garden. I purchased it from Roses Unlimited in 2009.

Available from - Filroses