This rose is a perfect example of how good a DA rose can be with some time. Now in it's third year theres easily 100+ buds waiting to open for it's second flush. It's compact, bushy and flowers in very big flushes that cover the plant. A joy to stare at even when not in bloom. Grows bigger than 3.5 x 3.5 feet unless I hard prune it every winter. It seems to respond really well to it and grows shapely however much I hack and slash.

The fragrance is strong, but for me it's not worth sticking your nose into. Nonetheless I wouldn't be without it!

Update: I found a small ripe hip on it, with a single seed inside. Probably open pollinated with another rose in the garden. Hopefully it grows!

After a few seasons in my Chicagoland garden, I feel comfortable enough to comment on this lovely rose. In this climate most Austin roses stay close to their catalogue size and Desdemona is still tiny after 3 seasons after 2 mild winters. Her first flush is profuse, and she is the first to bloom. She almost always has blooms on her. Her fragrance is mouthwatering lemony almond cookie and she holds it close to her petals for you to discover.

Perhaps my only "complaint" about this rose is that in my garden, she is not a white rose. She has pink buds, she often has an eggshell or cream aspect to her, sometimes she is tinged pink. Thus, she cannot perform her role of tying the rose bed together as a neutral. But she is so lovely, I am letting her be.

She is becoming one of my favorite Austins.

Available from - RosenPark Dräger GmbH & Co. KG
http://www.rosenpark-draeger.de/Alle-Rosen/Rosen-von-A-Z/Desdemona.html