Rose Lilac Rose

’Lilac Rose’ is a charming English shrub rose that has uniquely coloured lilac-pink cupped rosette blooms that are densely packed with petals and emit an exceptionally strong and alluring myrrh fragrance, making this rose an excellent choice for those who value scented gardens. The blooms are crepe-paper-like in texture and retain their cupped form as they open to reveal stamens. Forms compact and neat plant, and an elegant appearance that repeats well throughout the growing season.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Throughout this description of the rose variety 'Lilac Rose' is provided with color descriptions using terminology of the The Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, except where common terms of color definition are employed. Phenotypic expression may vary with environmental, cultural and climatic conditions, as well as differences in conditions of light and soil.

FLOWERING

This rose variety has a recurrent flowering habit. Blooms in flushes with short breaks from summer until frosts. The number of blooms per plant during the growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.

Flower bud:

The flower buds of 'Lilac Rose' rose variety are medium sized, about 2 to 3 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter when the petals start to unfurl. The bud form is pointed ovoid. When the sepals first divide, the bud color is medium purple (Group 67A). When half open, the upper sides of the petals are medium blue pink (Group 63C) closer to the center with light blue pink (Group 63D) closer to the edges while the lower sides of the petals are light blue pink closer to the center (Group 63D) with light blue pink (Group 62D) closer to the edges.

The shape of the sepals is lanceolate, the surface texture is slightly leathery. The colour is medium green (Group 144A) with light green (Group 144B). There are 3 normally appendaged sepals and there are 2 unappendaged sepals with smooth edges.

The receptacle is light green (Group 144B), goblet shaped and has a smooth, slightly glandular surface. The size of the receptacle is medium, about 6 - 7 mm cm long and about 7 - 8 mm cm in diameter.

The peduncle is long, averaging to about 5 - 7 cm in length, erect and has a glandular surface. The colour of the peduncle is medium green (Group 144A).

Bloom:

The flowers are medium, the average diameter of the open flower is about 6 - 7 cm. When first open, the flower form is almost globular, shallow cupped, later the flower form flattens, showing a rosette in the center, the outer petal edges curl slightly. Flowers are full, the number of petals under normal conditions varies from 50 to 70, decreasing as the season progresses, the petal size also decreasing. They are born in singly or a few together clusters, of 2-3 blooms, having irregular shape. The flowering stem has normal strength, long, and has an average length of about 100 cm.

The colour of the upper sides of the petals is light blue pink (Group 63D) transitioning to lighter shade to the edges and the reverse sides of the petals are light blue pink (Group 62D) transitioning to lighter shade to the edges. The base of the petals has medium blue pink colour (Group 63C). Under normal growing conditions no variegation is observed on the flowers of this rose variety. The major tonality of the flowers is medium blue pink (Group 63C).

The general tonality at the end of the first day is close to medium blue pink (Group 63C) but lighter, at the end of the third day the general tonality becomes lighter, light blue pink (Group 62D). True to its name in cooler climates, the lilac coloring of this rose may disappoint in warmer regions where it appears predominantly pink. This color variation becomes most apparent under intense sunlight, with lilac tones emerging more prominently during cooler weather or in areas with gentler summers. To achieve the best lilac hue, partial shade during the hottest part of the day is recommended.

Petals:

The texture of the petals is thin and the surface is smooth; the shape of the petals is round, occasionally notched, deltoid, tips slightly recurved. The arrangement of the petals is quartered, with few small petaloids in the center.

The petals of this rose variety have good self-cleaning quality, they normally drop off cleanly before drying. Under normal climate conditions the petals last long, on the plant they last for about 7-10 days, as a cut flower they last for about 5-7 days.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of the rose 'Lilac Rose' is strong, of a Myrrh character.

Reproductive parts:

There are many stamens per flower, they are medium in length and are regularly arranged around styles.

The anthers have yellow colour.

The colour of the filaments is white.

The pollen is lemon yellow.

The colour of the styles is pale green.

Stigmas have yellow colour.

An open center develops in the flowers, permitting insect pollen vectors to reach the stigmas. Hips are occasionally formed and pinching is recommended to maintain recurrent blooming.

PLANT

The rose variety 'Lilac Rose' is classified as a Shrub rose. The growth character is moderately vigorous, upright. Mature and well-established plant has a height of about 100 - 120 cm and the width of about 75 - 90 cm.

‘Lilac Rose’ benefits from consistent care to manage its susceptibility to fungal diseases. Its moderate growth rate may take several years to reach its full potential. Despite these challenges, it offers a strong fragrance, attractive rosette blooms, and a pleasing compact habit that can complement a variety of garden settings. However, gardeners in temperate or hot climates may find the lilac color less reliable, making it a less suitable choice for those specifically seeking lilac-toned roses.

Position this rose in cooler climates or in a location with filtered sunlight to maximize its lilac coloring. Its flat-topped, bushy form is especially effective in front borders or as part of a mixed planting scheme, where its soft hues and intoxicating scent can delight both gardeners and passersby.

Foliage:

There is a normal quantity of the foliage on the plants of this rose variety. The number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is 5, including the terminal leaflet. The foliage is medium sized, about 11-13 cm long and about 9 cm wide.

The colour of the juvenile foliage is light green (Group 144D). The mature foliage is light green as well (Group 144D).

Leaflets:

The leaflets are medium sized, the shape of the leaflets is round, and the surface texture of the leaflets is smooth, leathery, semi-glossy. The edges are serrated, the type of serration is double and single, the size of serration is medium to large.

The petiole has reddish colour, with occasional prickles on the surface. The petiole rachis has reddish colour as well.

The stipules are 2.7 cm long, have a glandular surface. The venation pattern is reticulate.

Wood:

The new wood of this rose variety has medium green colour (Group 144A) and the bark is smooth. The mature wood is green, the bark remains smooth.

Stems:

Six to eight strong canes will normally develop in a mature specimen. The plant is basically dominant, but branches develop on the upper portions of the canes as well. The mid-cane internode length is 7 cm.

Prickles:

There are ordinary prickles present on the main canes from base and on the laterals from main canes, they are randomly distributed from touching to 5 cm apart. The shape of the prickles is straight, the length is about 9 - 10 mm. The colour of the prickles is brown.

Small prickles:

The small prickles under normal growing conditions are not observed on the main canes and on the laterals from the main canes of 'Lilac Rose'.

Disease resistance:

The rose variety 'Lilac Rose' unfortunately is prone to common fungal diseases such as mildew, rust, and black spot, requiring regular care and spraying to maintain health. The pest resistance has not been tested yet.

Rose variety is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

Unfortunately we do not have information about the origin of the name of this rose.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Auslilac’ / 'Lilac Rose' originated by David Austin by crossing an unnamed seedling, with the variety "Hero".

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The primary objective of this rose variety breeding was to create a new rose variety with the repeat flowering of its parents with old-fashioned-type flowers.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The objective was achieved, along with other important improvements, and this rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

 Distinctive, lilac-colored flowers;

 Double flowers with rosette center;

 Strong fragrance;

 Healthy bushy growth.

Asexual reproduction of this variety by budding showed that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions came true to form, established and transmitted through the succeeding propagations.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The ‘Auslilac’ / ‘Lilac Rose’ may be distinguished from its seed parent, by the following combination of characteristics:

 The seed parent has upright growth to about 1.4 meters, with apricot semi-double flowers while ‘Auslilac’ / ‘Lilac Rose’ has much smaller plant and lilac-toned flowers.

The ‘Auslilac’ / ‘Lilac Rose’ may be distinguished from its pollen parent "Hero" by the following combination of characteristics:

 The pollen parent "Hero" has rather straggly, shrub-like growth to a plant 1.2 meters high by 1 meter wide, with pure pink, deeply cupped, fragrant flowers while ‘Auslilac’ / ‘Lilac Rose’ has shallowly cupped with rosette center lilac flowers.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

‘Lilac Rose’ is similar in comparison to ‘Ausren’ / 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh' due to similar coloring but latter has much fuller flowers, it is a distinct cultivar with its own unique charm.

USDA 6