RIR score: 7.9 out of 10.
Parentage: [ Graham Thomas X Mary Rose ]
Hybridized by David Austin
Introduced in 1992
What our gardeners say:
Large white flowers of 40 petals or more are carried in small clusters. They open out into wide shallow cups, are not spoiled by wet weather, and are posessed of a strong myrrh scent. Very good repeat bloom throughout the summer and fall.
The bush form is small shrub, about 3 feet tall and wide, with medium green, semi-glossy foliage and twiggy, prickly stems that are suprisingly productive. Very well suited for a border.
Drawbacks include blackspot, powdery mildew, and lots (and I mean LOTS!) of prickles. The canes can be so thin that we would normally prune such on hybrid teas, but on Glamis Castle these stems will produces 3 to 5 good sized flowers.
The rose was named for the Scots seat of the Bowes Lyon family, where Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother spent some of her childhood and where Princess Margaret was born. The breeder regards this as his best white rose. ZONES 4-9.