I have spent the day looking at photos of burgundy/crimson/purple roses in Google images. The rose is shaped like the Royal William rose, but it is darker and more purple. The candidates are Papa Meilland, Burgundy Ice, Deep Secret, Blackberry Nip (the right color, but maybe only available in New Zealand), Big Purple, and Black Velvet. I'm pretty sure now that the rose is a Hybrid Tea rose because it is very big. If anyone would know which among these roses would be the largest, that might help me. I'm afraid the cutting is toast - it got a mold on it and I don't know if I can save it. If you know of any other possible candidates not mentioned here, that would also be very helpful.

Marain, out of the roses you mention, only Papa Meilland, Deep Secret,Big Purple and Black Velvet would possibly be able to give the big blooms you say this rose had. Do you have any public rose gardens near you where you might see this rose growing? As Seil says, without a photo it is very difficult to ID a rose.

Thank you, ozmelodye. It is very helpful to know that these might be possibilities. There is a big rose garden not too far away from me - that's a good idea to look there. I hope maybe I'll get another chance to see the rose in bloom next time I visit England. If I do, I'll take a photo and share it.

We have an Electron rose bush, the color is a bright fluorescent pink, with huge blooms, 5½-6 inches. The deep radiant color combined with the large flower size is almost unbelievable.

Well, I finally have had a chance to visit the garden again, and have taken some photos of this giant rose. The rose buds are also huge - pointed, about 2.5 - 3 inches in size. When the buds open, the petals open and create a kind of tower of petals and huge flower. The leaves are also very large - 2 inches long.

Hmmm... do you think your rose could be 'Stephens' Big Purple'?

Just a thought,

Virginia

That's what I had thought earlier this year, and I ordered Big Purple, but the blooms on the Big Purple are really different. I am now pretty sure this rose is a grandiflora (which Big Purple is not) - this is most clear in the second photo above - and I wondered about Fame!, but I'm not sure Fame! is sold anywhere in England.

Here are three more photos:

Finally! This rose is known as "Parole" in Europe, and "Buxom Beauty" in England. It is truly an amazing rose with beautiful huge blooms and wonderful scent.