Did you know that not all roses smell like roses? We all expect to smell a typical rose-like sweet fragrance when we are given a rose, but would you expect to smell lemons instead?
Some roses have fragrance that has a hint of citroen, or lemon, hidden in its rosey depths. The Noisette rose, Lamaraque, has a sweet fragrance combined with a definite lemon fragrance. The Lamarque rose even has a lemon tint to it's white blooms, so the touch of lemon doesn't seem so incongruous.
So imagine how surprising it is to find a mauve rose with lemon undertones in its fragrance. Blue Moon, one of many attempts by rose breeders to create a 'blue rose' also has citroen hints in its perfume.
Of course, there are many variations of fragrance in the rose world. Tea roses are so named because of their fragrance that resembles dried tea leaves. And in addition, some tea roses have fruity notes in their perfume. Mrs B R Cant, a large and very double rose has hints of peach mixed with dry tea leaves in her perfume. An unusual and surprising perfume to find in her pink blooms.
Another Tea rose with an unusual fragrance is the lovely Lady Hillingdon. Here, the rich apricot colour of her blooms is matched by a luscious hint of apricot fragrance that is combined with a fragrance dry tea leaves. A delicious and lovely combination.
And of course, there is a large variety of herbs that have a strong, citrus fragrance. Many of these also grow well under roses, wafting a wonderful potpourri of perfume across the rose gardens. Lemon thyme is one example. Crushing the tiny leaves of lemon thyme releases a sweet, strong lemon perfume that is heavenly mixed into a posy.
While combining similarly fragrant roses and herbs in a posy or bouquet is an obvious choice ..
There is an endless range of fragrances among roses, so that any mixed posy of roses and herbs offers a wonderfully sensory experience.
A veritable feast of fragrances with endless possibilities ..
