Rosa 'Spirit of Freedom' - Climbing Rose

The English rose 'Spirit of Freedom', sometimes considered temperamental in humid climates, possesses a unique charm, something infinitely seductive that recalls roses of times past, much like its heavy and fleshy flowers that somewhat resemble those of 'Madame Pierre Oger', for example. With its ample habit, this large rose bush actually possesses all the characteristics of old roses. Its large, full, round and pleasantly fragrant roses display a soft and vibrant pink colour, becoming lilac pink when fully mature. A lovely and repeat flowering shrub can also be trained as a climber.

If trained as a shrub, this tall rose will form a large bush with a free and slightly spreading habit, measuring 1.25m (4ft) in all directions. Used as a climber, it will reach up to 2.50m (8ft). It grows rapidly and vigorously, and its sturdy stems are covered with grey-green foliage that is not very susceptible to diseases under suitable growing conditions. On this repeat flowering bush, the tiny red and rounded buds gradually open to form a round and full cup-shaped flower composed of numerous petals. Those in the centre are slightly incurved towards the heart of the flower. They are 9 cm (4in) wide, gently inclined downwards, and unfortunately, sometimes struggle to bloom fully and can get stained, especially in rainy weather. But they have a rare colour, a tender and shiny pink, taking on mauve reflections when fully open, and an intoxicating fragrance that somewhat evokes myrrh, especially in hot weather.

Puzzling, this rose 'Spirit of Freedom', undoubtedly inhabited by a fierce spirit of freedom, can become magnificent in full sun in rocky or sandy soil if it is sufficiently deep and moist but may sometimes disappoint in fertile soil and under a too rainy climate. It forms a beautiful bush as a backdrop behind flowerbeds or in front of large evergreen shrubs. It can also be mixed with flowering shrubs (buddleias, lilacs, spireas, deutzias, mockoranges, kolkwitzias) near the house or in the back of the garden. In mixed borders, it will accompany perennial plants, to which it will bring vitality and fragrance, as well as delicate annuals and even grasses, whose tufted foliage will hide its sometimes bare base. It can easily be trained on a small arch, a pergola, above an entrance or a gate, in the company of a clematis.

Obtained by David Austin in 2002.