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Lilac Charm, bred by Edward Burton LeGrice, UK 1962.

Breeding: a seedling from Lavender Pinocchio. (One generation further back is McGredy's famous 'Grey Pearl', which parented several unusually pigmented hybrids)
What a soft and charming hybrid this is! Edward Le Grice produced a number of off-the-wall roses during his extensive career, and this is certainly one that has held its appeal for over 35 years. Classed as a Floribunda, 'Lilac Charm' is indeed a cluster flowering rose, blooming regularly all summer long. Individual blooms are large; about 4 to 4.5" across, composed of about 5 to 8 petals, and are lightly fragrant. The color, as you can see, is a soft pale lavender hue, with almost greyish values.

The shrub itself is short, to about 2.5 feet tall, and as wide, well foliated, and quite healthy. Apparently the blooms make good cut flowers if they are picked when just open.

ARS merit rating: 7.2
Personal merit rating: 8.0
Hardiness: Likely USDA zones 6 to 10, zone 5 in a protected location.
Shrub size: 2 to 3 feet tall, depending on climate.
Fragrance: 1.5 little fragrance.

Original photographs and site content © Paul Barden 1996-2006