This is 'Duchesse de Brabant', a medium-sized pink Tea rose in the Armstead plot that overlooks the James River. I know of at least two other places in the cemetery where this rose grows, but the one in this plot looked the nicest on the day I was there.
I have been told that Duchesse de Brabant's flowers fragrance is fruity ... but I can't smell it.
Let's look at 'Madame Joseph Schwartz', in the Snead plot.
This rose is a sport (mutation) of Duchesse de Brabant ... identical in every way except for the color of the flowers, which begin as blush colored buds and finish as soft white flowers.
At one of the intersections in the cemetery, in the Howe plot, is a Tea rose that I love. I have no idea which one it is, but this doesn't dimish its appeal one bit.
This bush is taller than I am, by quite a bit.
Tea roses like this begin as graceful buds, look a bit like florist roses when they are opening, and they finish in a delightful riot of petals. These flowers are more than four inches across!
While we are on the subject of Tea roses, let's look at Safrano. There are many plants of Safrano in Hollywood Cemetery, and it's weird to walk through there, spot a rose in the distance and think, "Oh, nevermind, it's just another Safrano", as if Safrano is less of a rose because of it. If I were anywhere else, I would be thrilled to see such great examples of this rose.
Safrano has the most beautiful, graceful buds! Look at this soft apricot color, accented by the darker petal reverse.
'Isabella Sprunt' is a sport of 'Safrano', with flowers that are soft lemon yellow instead of apricot.
Look at all the beautiful red new growth!
I stood quietly, watching the bees at work in the open blossoms.
The Noisette roses I saw were putting on a spectacular show! This one, one of a pair in this plot that look like 'Champneys' Pink Cluster', was full of open flowers and hundreds of buds, and it smelled heavenly.
Here is another Noisette. This one looks a lot like my "Natchitoches Noisette", a found rose that was discovered in a cemetery in Louisiana.
Finally, here is a beautiful white rose, and I have no idea which one it could be. The shrub form and the flowers (and the blackspot) suggest Hybrid Tea, but this is only an educated guess. It doesn't matter what this beauty's true identity may be ... it's still gorgeous.
Shaded pink buds, creamy white flowers ... I wonder what it is?
In the final installment of my series of posts on this week's visit to Hollywood Cemetery, I will show you some things that are not quite as beautiful and peaceful. It's the 'circle of life' in action, which applies to the Cemetery or to our own gardens, and there are things that happen that we must all accept and deal with.
I will be back on Sunday, because I have to be up and out before the sun rises tomorrow. If you're local and want to come visit, you can find me at the Hanover County Master Gardeners' Plant Sale in Ashland from 8am to noon.
(This post is partying with Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday. It's appropriate, don't you think?)
