Comte de Chambord. Bred by Moreau-Robert. France, 1863.

This lovely Portland Damask is the result of a cross between 'Baronne Prevost' and 'Portland Rose'. This may be the most well known of all the Portlands, and quite reasonably so, as it has many fine qualities. It is a strong shrub, quite disease resistant, completely winter hardy, and repeat blooming with finely scented flowers. What more could you ask of a rose!? Peter Beales says this is "An outstanding member of this group", and I certainly agree. I find it to be a much better plant than its offspring, 'Gertrude Jekyll', which in my garden is far too unruly and lacking in overall performance. 'Comte de Chambord' is a shorter, tidier shrub that repeats extremely well, and is no less disease resistant than 'Gertrude Jekyll'.

I purchased this rose for he purpose of breeding it, as several contemporary breeders have worked with it, and found it produces some beautiful offspring. David Austin has used it to breed the famous 'Gertrude Jekyll', and Peter Beales tells me that his nursery is going to be introducing a new rose in the coming years which is also bred from 'Comte de Chambord'.

This is an excellent choice if you are interested in trying one of the repeat-blooming Old Garden Roses.

ARS merit rating: 8.3
Personal merit rating: undecided, but very good rating.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5 to 8, possibly zone 4 in a protected location.
Shrub size: 3 feet tall, by 2 feet wide.
Fragrance: 4.0 Intense Damask fragrance.