Regarding the photos of 'Mme Falcot' that Maurizio has posted at HMF: Is that rose the true variety? If so, does he have info on the provenance of his plant?

The young maroon foliage of Maurizio's plant sure resemble the old botanical prints of 'Mme Falcot' that are also posted at HMF. Lovely rose. I hope you can locate it.

Several years ago Jean in Tennesee imported Mme. Falcot from Europe. I don't know what nursery or even what country she got it from but you could email her. She had it in quarantine for two years but about a year ago posted a very lovely pic of Mme. and said she was going to send cuttings to some nurseries so they could propogate her for commerce, maybe Ashdown or ARE? Someday we should all be able to get her here but I certainly hope she is the "right" one.

Maria

jaxondel, Maria:
Thanks for the responses. I'm going to have to ask around in Europe at the principal warm climate rose nurseries so see whether anyone has it. I suspect Maurizio's MF was my own MF that turned out to be--according to that same Maurizio--'William R. Smith'. But I'm not sure. I have a notion Jean got her roses from Loubert in France, and I never had any luck trying to communicate with them, not least because I can't speak French, though I read it. Maurizio's photos of MF on Helpmefind look like my MF/William R. Smith.
Melissa

The exhibits at this year's Philadelphia Flower Show (Bella Italia theme) give the impression that only "Knockout" roses are available in Italy. Sigh.

"knockouts' are true to their name, they leave me comatose.
my apologies in advance to their fans.
Lux.

Oh, Melissa, you are the perfect one to publicize the case for Tea roses and all OGRs in Italy. Assuming you write as wonderfully in Italian as you do in English, you ought to hook up with a (or several) newspaper or gardening magazine, get a magazine photographer to come out and photograph your farm and your beautiful roses, interview some nurserymen, become the "Italian" Gertrude Lawrence! You have the passion, expertise and talent with words to really fire up the public for the roses you love and to inform the Italian gardeners of these jewels that they are missing. I can't imagine that you don't ALREADY have a gardening column in a newspaper somewhere. Oh, I hope you do this. I only wish I could read Italian!!

Sherry

Sherry: Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate the kind words! And you're right that I would enjoy that kind of work, while at the same time the thought scares me to death. I write Italian fairly well, but I don't think most Italian newspapers have gardening sections.

Melissa

Well, you'll be the first to start a "gardening section"! I think Maurizio writes for an Italian gardening magazine, doesn't he? How about radio? Ewww, that would scare me!!! How about a little billboard in the town square. It makes me think of "Under the Tuscan Sun" when she saw "her house" posted in the window of a real estate broker's storefront. Maybe you could "borrow" window space. For sure starting small is easier on the psyche. I'm sure Gertrude wasn't influential and famous overnight. Ya never know, this may be your calling - saving Italy from Hybrid Teas and English Roses!

Sherry

I'm very surprised that Gertrude Lawrence gardened at all, much less excelled as a garden journalist. Are her garden writings available anywhere?

I have what is purported to be Mme. Falcot and am reasonably sure it is not William R Smith which I also have and love. Mine came from Guillot which came from Loubert. I just pruned this weekend and the good Mme. is only 18" tall (I am ruthless), but I will be happy to send cuttings later.

Jean

Melissa, I've had no trouble communicating by e-mail in English with Madame Loubert. Should she need any help her son is fluent in the language. I had 7 roses from Loubert in 2007 but didn't get 4 other roses I'd ordered at the same time.