Topic: 60th birthday present - help needed

[MrsKP]

My mate's 60th is coming upon me fast.  I've not got her a pressie yet, but was thinking about a rose.

I know she likes single coloured flowers and white in particular.

Anyone got any ideas of an appropriately named rose for the occasion ?

and is now the right time to plant one ?  I know nothing about roses at all.

She lives in London (her of the bay tree problem).

Any help gratefully received as always.

 ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Any of the single Albas would probably do. They're tough, and nicely scented. The only drawback is that the flowering season is shorter than with modern roses. Try David Austin Roses at http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/SlipGate.asp . You'll find them under 'old roses'. Semi-plena is a lovely rose, as is Alba maxima, which is semi-double. The latter was used as an emblem by the Stuarts; it's almost spineless, and their motto was 'Rosa Sine Spina', a Rose without Thorns. One or other is almost certainly the White Rose of York, but it's not clear which.

[teresa]

David Austins do some lovely roses, check if she has black spot on her roses or local its hard to get rid of if you have it.
So many roses carpet ones to climbers the rogosa is beautiful with the red hips in winter.
Or how about a white camaila?

[MrsKP]

I've text her OH to phone me with preferences, don't think he's up yet !!   :o

Thanks for the link to the David Austin site, they have quite a nice deal on their book plus some gift vouchers, but i think i'd prefer to spend the cash on actual plants.  i'll definitely keep it book marked though.

[teresa]

check this site as well..

http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/pl/?q=roses&x=8&y=4

I got the white clemtis amarmi evergreen one from there a few years ago lovely plants and packing is great.

[Tulipa]

This site looks good but the white one is "Life begins at 40"!

http://www.rosesscotland.co.uk/celeb.html

And this one has a name and colour search facility:

http://www.zanity.co.uk/rosesonline/

and in the top riight is a special name section.  No idea what they are like though!

A friend always uses Peter Beales and they have an A-Z listing if there is a suitable name.

http://www.classicroses.co.uk/roses/

Hope you find something.  A good friend bought 'Antique' climbing rose for my husband for his 40th and ten years later it is the most stunning rose we have, does well every year but isn't white!  He was most upset at the name! ;)

T.

[MrsKP]

wow ............thanks so much to everyone, there's bound to be something suitable amongst this little lot.

a bit like tomatoes, more varieties that you could possibly think of.

 ;D

i've just come in from picking my last chillies and my toes are dropping off with the cold, so i think i'll settle down in front of the screen for a while.

 ;D

[Deb P]

I would suggest 'Madame Hardy'; outstanding fragrance, really pretty green 'eye' in the centre, just lovely!

http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/damasks/hardy.html

[Robert_Brenchley]

I love the option to select by date on Peter Beale's site. I wonder how certain the oldest ones are.