One of my most favorite roses is just starting to bloom. I did not buy it, did not plant it, and it was not here when we moved into our house. It came up as rootstock after we removed a very boring, sick plain yellow mid 20th century HT standard that was on its last legs. The following Spring, up popped canes and leaves that looked like some sort of a very old rose. So, I left it.....for 4 years it just got bigger, but never bloomed. Finally the fifth Spring it produced panicles of these gorgeous, and intensely fragrant roses. Our next door neighbor has one too - I told her what it was, and after seeing mine she ran out and bought an arch for it go grow on. She has subsequently planted a rooted cutting of my Sombreuil on the other side of the same arch. I plan to take a picture of them when both are in full bloom - will be a few more days.

Jackie