Could it be 'Fantin-Latour'? Or perhaps 'Duchesse de Montebello'? Try typing either name into the link below and search through pics.

:-)

~Christopher

Here is a link that might be useful: HelpMeFind Rose Search

Beautiful! I hope you identify it - I need one! :)

It doesnt look like Duchess De Montebello to me, that rose is also slightly unique in its mild but wonderful scent.

Its a wonderful beautiful rose, identying these are hard sometimes, look through rogers roses as well as helpmefind.com

Silverkelt

Something absolutely wonderful, which won't bloom here. Thank you for posting it, for all to enjoy.

Jeri

With the matte bluish-green foliage I wonder whether it's one of the albas. It is divinely beautiful, one of those roses that make you catch your breath.

Ingrid

It looks like De Meaux pomponia to me. Especially in the foliage. Although the climbing behavior and strong fragrance might not match with De Meaux.
Several varieties of Rose de Meaux exist...

Here is a link that might be useful: Help Me Find - De Meaux pomponia

The fragrance is unbelievably strong. I'm always amazed each year when it blooms. You can smell the roses several feet away.

I don't know what it is, but I want one. Your photo is gorgeous. Diane

Ilene, I am also in NE PA and this looks like something I and friends have also found in the area. How tall does this get for you? You said it behaves like a climber but the ones we've found are rarely above 2-3 feet. Mine also seems darker but that could be variable. Mine does have a strong fragrance.

Ingrid, I was also first thinking of an Alba, specifically 'Konigin von Danemark', but reconsidered because of the climbing habit. That's what made me think of 'Fantin-Latour' but the leaves do look different. Hmmmm.......

:-)

~Christopher

Bella Donna?

From HMF: Damask, Light pink. Strong fragrance. Double (17-25 petals) bloom form. Once-blooming spring or summer. No size given in the description , but from a notation on a photo "large and arching."

Here is a link that might be useful: HMF Bella Donna

subk3, I think you nailed it.

:-)

~Christopher

The bush is planted next to our vegetable garden fence. It has grown up along the fence. It often is a high as 8 feet and does arch out. I have to keep it in check. Its planted in a location that gets about 6 hours of sun.

My husband recalls that his mother's rose bushes were not planted where they could climb; they were planted in the yard. Also probably got about 6 hours of sun. Her rose bushes only grew to be about 3 to 4 feet tall.

Ah, Bella Donna does look close. Does it have the unusual, cut-off looking buds that Bella Donna has?

Sorry, here's the photo

Wow... subk I believe you are correct. The photos of Bella Donna really look the same.

Belmont....our rose bush does have the same unusual "cut-off" buds like the photo you posted. Ours also look darker in the bud stage just as your photo does.

We just read the description of a Damask rose. The growth habit seems identical to ours. The fact that they are harvested for the rose oil to use in perfumery makes a lot of sense too.

The HMF profile says Bella Donna may date back to 1845 which is also interesting. The house my in-laws bought in the 1950's is probably a 200 year old house. Who knows when those rose bushes were planted!

Thanks everyone!

This rose looks just like the rose that I have from an old Indiana farm. It has the cut off buds as well and its scent is better than any other I have found.

Cath