A Rose in January - 'Old Blush' - Its Friend 'Pink Frost'

I had to share this with you.  As I was grooming the pansies this past week inside the Welcome Center garden a lovely soft fragrance was drifting around my head.  Pansies do have a sweet fragrance in mass, but this was different.  And then I looked up and realized that it was the Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush' that had several flowers fully opened and sharing their loveliness.  Not only does it smell great, it has the sweetest soft pink flowers that bloom and bloom and bloom.....even in January.  

Is that not absolutely beautiful?  And the fragrance is soft and fruity -- no need to stick your nose into the center, this fragrance comes to you.

'Old Blush' is one of the oldest roses around.  It is also one of the first cultivars to come from Eastern Asia and reached Europe in the 1700's.  First noted in Denmark in 1752 and then England in 1793.  

The semi double flowers bloom continuously on a 5 foot bush -- living happily in zones 7-11 with minimal maintenance.  It will make a lovely hedge or an outstanding specimen.  This one is situated at the front of the garden where it gets some hours of direct sun and then partial shade in the late afternoon.  

Stop by the garden if you are in town and enjoy this special rose.  And while you are there, step to the other side and gently touch the leaves of Illicium floridana 'Pink Frost'.....it will give off its own sweet fragrance.  While working under it to clean up that area, I had the pleasure of its company.

As the temperatures get colder, the white margins on 'Pink Frost' leaves will turn pink, matching the deep pink stems.  In the spring it will put out red-maroon colored flowers -- not showy but an interesting addition to this shrub.  It can grow 6-10 feet tall but responds well to pruning if you need to keep it in check.  Zones 6-10 and shade tolerant.  It has performed well for me in different situations and survived the benign neglect that I impose on plants that wait for their turn in the soil.  

'Old Blush' may need to be ordered online but you can find 'Pink Frost' at independent nurseries.  For locals, check with Thomas Orchards & Nursery in Bishop.