Velvet Fragrance Hybrid Tea Rose Bushes

Velvet Fragrance Roses

Velvet Fragrance is like the archetypal, fairytale rose - the one that the princess always gets. It has tight, pointed deep red buds that open into a high centred, full and voluptuous rose. The petals are like heavy damask, a description that fits its sensational, almost overpowering scent. Each rose is an unwavering deep, crimson red. As if all of that romance was not enough, the plant itself is muscular in its strength and ability to withstand the common rose afflictions. The leaves are relatively dark with coppery overtones. As a hybrid tea, you only get one flower per stem but they last for a long time and if you deadhead you will find that roses keep reappearing until late autumn. If your tastes lie in a more sedate flower, why not have a look at our range of Hybrid Tea Roses

A boudoir rose

Velvet Fragrance would make the perfect Valentine's Day rose if it were flowering then - who on earth planned St Valentine in freezing February? - and consequently, a bunch of these in a vase would be no surer signal of a hot date. Grow several in your cutting garden if you are feeling lucky..... So while being the seminal boudoir rose, Velvet Fragrance is a tremendous border rose too because it retains its compact shape and does not become leggy like many other hybrid teas. Having said which it is always good to grow some pretty plants like Salvias or Geraniums around hybrid teas to cover their ankles. Being so dark leaved, it benefits from a halo of silver-leafed plants nearby. We also like the idea of growing it with white hybrid teas for a wars of the roses effect.

Features of Velvet Fragrance Roses

• Height: up to 1 m
• Width: up to 75 cm
• Colour: crimson/red
• Shape of flower: high centred, full bloom with slightly wavy petals
• Size of flower: very large
• Scent: damask, heady
• Flowering: repeat through summer
• Group: Hybrid Tea

A fragrant fry up

Velvet Fragrance was the inspired work of Gareth Fryer of Fryer's Roses fame in 1988. Rarely has a red rose been produced to rival it.

How to plant Velvet Fragrance roses

If planting against a wall leave about 45cms (18") between plant and wall. Dig a hole deep enough to allow the graft to finish at soil level when planted and with plenty of room for the roots. Improve the soil from the hole by removing large stones, weeds, roots and other rubbish and mixing in about 25% by volume of well-rotted compost or manure. Wet the roots and sprinkle with Rootgrow so it stays in contact with the roots. If planting a pot grown plant gently loosen some of the roots before planting.

Position your rose so the roots are spread out and it is set at approximately the same level in the soil as it was before being transplanted. The union should be level with the soil when you have finished planting. Backfill the hole with the planting mix, firming it down as you go. Water in thoroughly. Water again a day or two later and then keep watering in dry spells. Water well until established. Prune in the winter. Feed in spring and again in summer.