Enhancing The Fragrance Of Roses: Tips And Tricks

Roses are beloved for their beauty and fragrance, but modern breeding practices have often prioritized visual appeal and vase life over scent. However, there is a growing demand for fragrant roses, and gardeners are seeking ways to enhance the aroma of their rose gardens. The fragrance of roses is influenced by various factors, including genetics, environmental conditions, and cultural practices. While some factors are beyond our control, such as weather conditions, there are several techniques and strategies that gardeners can employ to increase the fragrance of their roses.

Choose rose varieties with more fragrance glands

When it comes to selecting roses with a higher concentration of fragrance glands, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Firstly, darker roses, particularly those in shades of red and pink, tend to have a more pronounced classic rose scent. In contrast, yellow and white roses often emit scents reminiscent of orrisroot, nasturtiums, or lemon. Orange roses usually offer a fruity fragrance, sometimes with hints of orris, nasturtium, violet, or clover.

The number of petals also influences the intensity of the aroma; more petals generally equate to a stronger fragrance. Additionally, petals that are thick and velvety contribute to a more potent scent than their thinner counterparts. The texture of the petals is significant, as some varieties retain their fragrance even when dry, making them ideal for potpourri, while most others lose their scent upon drying.

When choosing rose varieties, it's important to remember that some hybrids have been bred specifically for their fragrance. The 'Honey Perfume' floribunda rose, for example, boasts a strong, spicy fragrance that evokes a blend of cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Its apricot-yellow blooms grow in clusters, reaching up to 4 inches wide. Another notable variety is the 'Fragrant Plum' grandiflora rose, which, true to its name, exudes a rich, plum-like aroma. Its double blooms, measuring 4 inches across, showcase lavender petals blushing to a smoky purple hue at their edges.

If you're seeking a rose with a unique citrus scent, the 'Radiant Perfume' grandiflora rose is an excellent choice. Its big, golden-yellow blooms will fill your garden with a bright, intense fragrance. For a delicate, sweet lemon scent, consider the 'Heritage' English rose. Its soft-pink blooms form a charming cup shape, and it has the added benefit of being relatively thorn-free compared to other rose varieties.

For those who favour old-fashioned roses, the 'Louise Odier' bourbon rose is a timeless favourite among gardeners. Introduced in 1851, it boasts bright pink blooms and an intense, sweet fragrance. Another classic is the 'Madame Alfred Carriere' climbing rose, which dates back to 1879. Its pink-blushed white flowers release a spicy-sweet aroma, and it's a prolific bloomer throughout the warmer months.

Plant roses that have been bred for fragrance

While selecting roses, most gardeners focus on colour, form, size, number of petals, and disease resistance, rarely considering fragrance. However, you can increase the fragrance in your rose garden by planting rose breeds that have been cultivated for their scent.

When it comes to fragrance, the number of glands on the underside of the petals varies from breed to breed. Some breeds have more glands than others, and the more glands a rose has, the more fragrant it is. The complex chemical reactions that produce a rose's scent are also influenced by sun and warmth.

• 'Madame Alfred Carriere': This climbing rose was introduced in 1879 and features pink-blushed white flowers with a strong spicy-sweet scent. It is extremely hardy and blooms almost constantly throughout the warmer months.
• 'Madame Isaac Pereire': This is considered one of the most fragrant roses in history, producing deep raspberry-rose flowers with a strong, sweet fragrance in spring and summer.
• 'Mister Lincoln': This award-winning hybrid tea rose was created in 1965 and is still a top choice for gardens today. It has rich, velvety-red petals with a strong fragrance.
• 'New Dawn': This climbing rose features big, soft-pink flowers throughout the summer and is known for its cascading habit.
• 'Roseraie de l'Hay': This tough rugosa rose bears magenta-purple blooms filled with a very strong, sweet fragrance. It has a long blooming season and excellent disease resistance.
• 'America': This award-winning climbing rose produces strongly scented coral-pink flowers that bloom all summer long. It is disease-resistant, ensuring it looks and smells good at the end of the season.
• 'Honey Perfume': This floribunda rose is an All-American Rose Selection winner, bearing clusters of 4-inch-wide, apricot-yellow blooms. It has a strong, spicy scent similar to a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg.
• 'Fragrant Plum': This grandiflora rose has double, 4-inch, lavender blooms that blush to a smoky purple colour at the edges. It has a rich, sweet, plum-like scent and is perfect for cut flower arrangements.
• 'Radiant Perfume': True to its name, this grandiflora rose has big, golden-yellow blooms with a wonderfully intense citrus scent. Its long stems make it ideal for cutting and bringing sunshine indoors.
• 'Heritage': This English rose bears soft-pink blooms that smell of sweet lemons. It has fewer thorns than most roses and good disease resistance. It performs well in partial shade and is a great cut flower.
• 'Louise Odier': Introduced in 1851, this bourbon rose is a vigorous heritage garden rose that remains popular for its strength as a cut flower. It produces bright pink blooms and has an intense sweet fragrance.
• 'Madame Plantier': Bred in 1835, this alba rose has white, petal-packed flowers with a sweet fragrance. It can grow quite large, so regular pruning is necessary to keep it in bounds.

Interplant garlic with roses

Interplanting garlic with roses is a great way to enhance the fragrance of your roses naturally. Roses are beautiful flowers, but they are even more delightful when they have a stronger scent. By interplanting garlic, you can achieve this while also gaining many other benefits.

Firstly, garlic can help intensify the fragrance of your roses. The strong smell of garlic enhances the scent of the roses, making them smell more pungent and sweeter. This is a natural and non-toxic way to boost the fragrance without any genetic modifications. The combination of rose and garlic scents can create a unique and captivating aroma in your garden.

In addition to enhancing fragrance, garlic also acts as a natural pest repellent. According to Birds and Blooms, garlic is effective in keeping "bad bugs" at bay. Aphids, ants, and snails are known to dislike the smell of garlic, so planting it near your roses can help deter these pests. Garlic's anti-fungal properties are also beneficial in preventing fungal diseases like blackspot, which commonly affects roses.

When interplanting garlic with roses, it is important to maintain a distance of at least 12 to 18 inches between the two plants. Roses do not thrive when their root systems are disturbed by competing plants. By keeping the garlic plants a safe distance away, you can ensure that both plants have sufficient space to grow and access to necessary nutrients, water, and sunlight.

Additionally, consider the time of year when interplanting. Fall and winter are generally the best seasons to plant low-water-use plants, as they provide favourable conditions for their establishment. By planning your planting during these seasons, you can give your garlic and roses the best chance to grow and thrive together.

By following these instructions and interplanting garlic with your roses, you can naturally increase the fragrance of your roses while also benefiting from its pest-repelling and antifungal properties. Enjoy the enhanced scent and the beauty of your rose garden, knowing that you are using a natural and eco-friendly approach to gardening.

Water roses with moist soil

Watering your roses is essential to helping them grow and promoting large, long-lasting flowers with rich colour and thick, sturdy petals. Watering also helps transport nutrients to the rose through the roots and leaves. Moist soil promotes fragrance, so watering your roses the right amount is key to increasing their scent.

• Water your roses early in the day, at ground level, to prevent diseases like blackspot. Avoid routinely wetting the foliage, especially when it's overcast, as this can encourage and spread disease.
• Spray your rose bush with water once a week if needed, but only on a sunny day. Use a spray nozzle to provide enough force to clear the leaves of dust, dirt, spider mites, and other insects.
• The amount of water your rose needs depends on the soil, temperature, and surrounding plants. In temperate climates, weekly watering is usually enough, and two inches of water per week (4 to 5 gallons) may be sufficient.
• If your soil is sandy or your garden is hot, dry, or windy, you may need to water more frequently. On the other hand, if your soil holds a lot of moisture, be careful not to overwater, as this can promote root rot.
• To check if your rose needs water, test the soil with your finger. If it's completely dry, your plant needs more water. If it's muddy, there might be too much water or insufficient drainage.
• Another sign of overwatering is yellowing leaves that are soft and droopy. If you notice this, cut back on watering.
• To promote a deep root system, it's best to water slowly and deeply. Light watering will result in shallow roots, making the plant more susceptible to heat and cold damage.
• You can conserve water by using mulch. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch keeps weeds down and cools the soil, reducing the temperature by 10 to 20 degrees.
• Water potted roses daily to ensure the soil stays moist. Potted roses need more frequent watering than ground-planted roses, especially if they're outside, as the pots provide less insulation from the sun.

By following these tips and maintaining moist soil, you can help increase the fragrance of your roses while also promoting their overall health and growth.

Avoid roses with a heavy wax surface on petals

The fragrance of a rose is released by tiny glands on the underside of the petals. The scent is produced by a complex set of chemical reactions, which are facilitated by sun and warmth.

Roses with a heavy wax surface on their petals will have a reduced fragrance. This is because the wax covers the pores on the petal surfaces, preventing the necessary chemical compounds from being released. These compounds are oils and alcohols, which are very chemically active and need to heat up to allow the scent to be expressed.

The wax coating is often applied to store-bought roses to protect the stems and prevent the roses from drying out. The wax can be gently removed once the sun has warmed it up. Alternatively, the rose will naturally grow out from under the wax, one cell at a time, causing it to eventually flake off.

If you want to increase the fragrance of your roses, it is best to avoid those with a heavy wax surface on the petals. Instead, look for roses with thick and velvety petals, as these tend to produce more fragrance.

Frequently asked questions