Day 7: Fragrant Rose Advent Calendar

When rosarians think red, they tend to think of this one.

Mr. Lincoln.

The reddest of the reddest. Mr. Lincoln is thought by many to be the iconic red rose. Another Gamble Medal Winner from the partnership between Herbert C. Swim and Weeks Roses, hybridized in 1964.

The aroma is decadent, a heavy, dark damask with the slightest note of oud to finish. I would place it firmly in the floral family. Amber Nuit by Dior comes the closest in capturing its essence. Truly lovely.

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Sheila’s Perfume.

Ka-pow! Sheila’s Perfume is a shock of color. It was the result of a complex cross by John Sheridan in 1985. It turns on and off throughout the season, taking it’s time to recharge and emerge more electric. If you like yellow this rose is perfect. The hot summer temperatures in Utah make it lemon with magenta trim.

The fragrance family for Sheila’s Perfume is a tug of war between floral and green. Three quarters centifolia, one quarter damask, with an entrancing note of hyacinth.

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