Conditions must be perfect in my garden this spring, judging by this climbing rose. Planted in September, 2008, he is still young by climber standards, but you'd never know it to look at him. These 4x4 posts are ten feet apart and eight feet out of the ground. I haven't quite figured out how to tame him or display him to the best advantage. He needs a structure of some kind. Anyway, EVH is a climbing tea rose introduced in 1895 in France by Bernaix and is very vigorous with canes of at least 12'. This type of rose is humorously referred to as a house-eater, and mine is still growing. Heaven help me!
In his previous two springs he suffered from thrips and balling so I've really never seen a normal flower - until now. This year (so far) there are no thrips and no balling. Daytime temps are in the 70's and low 80's now with 50's at night, and humidity is fairly low for Florida, during the day about 45% (in summer humidity stays in the 60's) but nights range from 80% to 98% at dawn. I mention this because humidity is said to be to blame for this rose's balling (Enchantress is not balling now either, and she's never not balled.), but this is low humidity in my garden though not in California/Mediterranean or southwestern gardens. This is our dry season. And it's not hot yet either. Apparently, since this rose loves heat (as all tea roses do), cool temps are also a contributing factor to balling. Perhaps immaturity is also a factor. All this being said, I haven't a clue why EVH loves it now, but he does. So let's move on to the good part.
I have never seen so many colors in any kind of flower. This morning I cut one that was solid carmine in the middle (about 1.5" diameter) while the outer half inch was peachy pink - just astonishing. Sorry no picture. These were all taken this evening of one flower (only two are open on the whole plant).
The reverse of the outer petals is very yellow toward the center. The actual flower was much more yellow than this photo.
So many colors. Pink, carmine, apricot, peach, yellow, buff.
And so many petals, probably a contributing factor to its tendency to ball.
In hotter weather he's more apricot than carmine.
It's quite a large flower, too, at least 4" across.
And to think that this plant is covered with buds up and down its canes. If even half of them open at the same time, it will be breathtaking.
In his previous two springs he suffered from thrips and balling so I've really never seen a normal flower - until now. This year (so far) there are no thrips and no balling. Daytime temps are in the 70's and low 80's now with 50's at night, and humidity is fairly low for Florida, during the day about 45% (in summer humidity stays in the 60's) but nights range from 80% to 98% at dawn. I mention this because humidity is said to be to blame for this rose's balling (Enchantress is not balling now either, and she's never not balled.), but this is low humidity in my garden though not in California/Mediterranean or southwestern gardens. This is our dry season. And it's not hot yet either. Apparently, since this rose loves heat (as all tea roses do), cool temps are also a contributing factor to balling. Perhaps immaturity is also a factor. All this being said, I haven't a clue why EVH loves it now, but he does. So let's move on to the good part.
I have never seen so many colors in any kind of flower. This morning I cut one that was solid carmine in the middle (about 1.5" diameter) while the outer half inch was peachy pink - just astonishing. Sorry no picture. These were all taken this evening of one flower (only two are open on the whole plant).
And so many petals, probably a contributing factor to its tendency to ball.
In hotter weather he's more apricot than carmine.
It's quite a large flower, too, at least 4" across.
Sherry, your E. Veyrat Hermanos rose is stunning! What a large rose it is already after being planted around 2 1/2 years in the ground. Hope you can tame her in the future... The many color tones of the single flower are truly charming and I can't wait to see photos of the whole climbing rose blooming. Tea roses in general are amazing me more and more. Too bad that they so little known in general.
ReplyDeleteChristina
He is quite handsome...what's balling?
ReplyDeleteWOW, what a beauty! It sure is a large, many petaled bloom too and all of those delicious colors.
ReplyDeleteYour roses and gardens are such a delight to see.
FlowerLady
That is one monster rose! Can't wait to see it all in bloom. It's going to be spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWow! So beautiful!! Can't wait to see pics of it in full flush....
ReplyDeleteHey, Darla, balling is when the flower buds fail to open, staying hard and eventually getting brown and ugly. It tends to happen in damp, cool weather usually in the spring. Some roses have a particular problem with this. They say you can push back the outer petals with your fingers to help them open, but if you've got a bush full of balled buds that's kind of a pain. Flowers with many petals can have this problem. A fully double rose is more than 25 or 30 petals, and I bet EVH has at least 80.
ReplyDeleteThank you all. I can't wait either!
Oh, what a rose! I really really have no room for a house-eater.... How is the rebloom on yours (I've heard it is not spectacular)? I thought you had a Maman Cochet in that area?
ReplyDeleteOh Sherry, I would be so happy to take some cuttings in order to tame that bad boy! He is something else! We do not have that one at all and should. He is so close to being termed OGR, however he is definately Antique! The pics are glorious, wonderful, love your blog~
ReplyDeleteHey, Cindy, technically, EVH is an Old Garden Rose because it is of the Tea class which was in existence before 1867. Likewise, the tea rose, Duquesa, that you carry is an Old Garden Rose even though it was not produced until 2005. All Bourbons, Noisettes, Teas, Chinas (and, of course, HP’s and the old European classes) are Old Garden Roses regardless of the year of introduction. Polyanthas, Hybrid Teas, and Hybrid Musks are not OGRs since those classes did not exist in 1867.
ReplyDeleteAfter this flush I will stick a bunch of cuttings and see what takes root.
Thanks for your kind words. They mean a lot.
Sherry
WANT!!!!! I keep not buying it but... I think eventually, I will break down.
ReplyDelete