Rosa moschata Apricot Bells - Musk Rose

The 'Apricot Bells' shrub rose is a beautiful offspring of the 'Trier' climbing rose 'Trier' and the China rose 'Mutabilis'. This bush rose has inherited the exceptional vigour of its two parents, their ability to rebloom, the changing colour of the second rose's flowers as well as its colourful young shoots, the semi-double and fragrant character of the first rose's flowers, and it's very healthy foliage. In addition to these aesthetic qualities, it has low soil requirements and is very water-efficient. Its only weakness is its relative hardiness. In summary, it is a rose that absolutely must be discovered!

'Apricot Bells' is a Belgian creation by L. Lens from 1999. Like its parent 'Trier', it is related to the musk rose (Rosa x moschata), a spontaneous hybrid probably originating from Asia Minor or the Middle East. Like polyanthas and floribundas, the roses in this family produce flowers in clusters, but their colours are more refined and have a more flexible and graceful habit. 'Apricot Bells' shows rapid and vigorous growth. It develops strong and ramified thorny stems. Left to grow freely, this bush will reach a height of 1.20 m (4ft) to 1.50 m (5ft) with a spread of 1.20 m (4ft). In hot climates, its development is even more significant. This rose's young shoots are reddish-brown, creating a beautiful contrast with the mature leaves that are a fairly dark green. Absent in winter, this deciduous foliage is highly resistant to rose diseases. Flowering begins in May-June and continues in waves throughout the summer and autumn. It consists of small semi-double flowers measuring 4 cm (2in) in diameter. The flower buds are apricot in colour, opening into cream-yellow cups that turn pink before fading. The musky fragrance of the flowers is of medium intensity. The hardiness of this rose is estimated at -10/-12 °C (14/10.4°F).

This Apricot Bells shrub rose thrives in well-prepared soil and tolerates calcareous and dry soils, although drought can reduce its flowering. Plant it in a shrub bed, a flowering hedge with other botanical or heritage roses (Rosa hugonis, Rosa complicata, Rosa moyesi Geranium, etc.), lilacs of moderate size (Syringa microphylla superba), mock oranges, or Japanese quinces. Also, consider pairing it with a vitacella clematis, which is just as easy to grow as these shrubs.