Sombreuil
(a.k.a Colonial White, Climbing Tea, 1850) – creamy white. When folks ask me what my favorite climbing rose is I
don’t even have to think. It’s Sombreuil! This rose has so many merits I don’t even think I can give it enough praise.
Color – PERFECT (think of the color of antique silk wedding gowns)! Flower Form – PERFECT (blooms are flattened
in a huge saucer like shape filled with a labyrinth of intricately arranged soft petals)! Fragrance – PERFECT (a very,
very strong classic Tea rose fragrance that smells like heaven)! The climbing shrub ain’t bad either. It easily scaled
up to 15 feet on a brick wall at my work in Maryland. The foliage is slightly prone to black spot but not nearly as bad
as most climbers. It can get by with infrequent spraying. If you don’t use fungicides and are willing to put up with a few
spotted leaves Sombreuil will do just fine. It is also shade tolerant. Lastly, Sombreuil can be trained into a large,
gracefully arching shrub if a climber is not your cup of tea. Winter hardy to zone 6 (just be sure your vendor isn’t offering
the true Tea Rose; to be on the safe side ask for Colonial White). Highly recommended by me!
On to Sympathie
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