
Roses are renowned for their captivating fragrances, and some are sweeter than others. The scent of roses can be classified into various types, such as fruity, tea, myrrh, and musk. The most fragrant roses are typically English Roses and Old Roses, but there are also many fragrant shrub and climbing roses to choose from. Whether you're looking for a rose with hints of almond blossom, cucumber, and lemon zest or a more traditional rose scent, there's a rose out there that will captivate your senses. So, which rose has the strongest fragrance? Let's explore the world of fragrant roses and find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Strongest fragrance | 'Fragrant Cloud' rose, 'Madame Isaac Pereire', 'Mister Lincoln', 'Paul’s Himalayan musk', 'Heritage', 'Louise Odier', 'Madame Plantier', 'Munstead Wood', 'Roseraie de l'Hay', 'Rose Vitality', 'Rose Prince Jardinier', 'Rose Café Latte', 'Eau de Parfum Blush' |
| Flower colour | Coral-red, deep raspberry-rose, velvety-red, pale pink, soft-pink, bright pink, white, dark crimson and lighter outer petals, magenta-purple, buttery-white, very pale pink, dark pink, dark beige, intense pink |
| Scent notes | Citrus, spice, fruit, rosy damask, almond blossom, cucumber, lemon zest, raspberry, sweet lemons, sweet, fruity, blackberry, blueberry, damson, spicy-and-sweet, musk, citrus |
| Other features | Thornless, good disease resistance, fewer thorns than most roses, strong traditional rose scent, disease-resistant, almost thornless, strong vanilla aroma |
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What You'll Learn

Types of rose fragrances
Roses are well-known for their captivating fragrances, and there are several types of rose fragrances to choose from when planning your garden. The position of your fragrant roses is a key decision, as you will want to take advantage of their scented blooms as you walk past them or sit nearby.
One of the most common types of rose fragrances is fruity. Fruity fragrances can range from raspberry, as found in the dark pink-flowered 'Zephirine Drouhin' rose, to blackberry, blueberry and damson, which are present in the 'Munstead Wood' rose. The 'Evelyn' rose has a rich, fruity scent, while the 'Paul's Himalayan musk' rose combines its fruity fragrance with a musky base. The 'Heritage' rose also falls into the fruity category, with its sweet lemon fragrance. Other fruity fragrances include the pear and patchouli scent of the 'Eleganza Beverly' rose, and the quince and apricot aroma of a hybrid tea rose.
Tea fragrances are another popular choice for roses. The 'Fragrant Cloud' rose is a hybrid tea rose with a captivating fragrance that combines citrus, spice, fruit and rosy damask. The 'St Ethelburga' rose is another hybrid tea rose with a strong scent, while the 'Mister Lincoln' rose is known for its strong fragrance and rich, red petals. The 'Double Delight' rose is a distinctive hybrid tea rose with creamy white flowers and red edges.
Old roses, also known as antique and historic roses, are often extremely fragrant. The Rosa 'Desdemona' is an example of an old rose with a terrific fragrance that includes hints of almond blossom, cucumber and lemon zest. The 'Madame Plantier' alba rose is another old rose that has stood the test of time with its sweet fragrance and white flowers.
Finally, musk and myrrh are other types of rose fragrances to consider. The 'Paul's Himalayan musk' rose has a wonderfully strong, musky fragrance, while the 'Compassion' rose offers a myrrh scent.
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Fragrant roses for small gardens
Scent is an important element to consider when planning a rose garden, as it adds another dimension to your garden space. Whether you're looking to plant roses in a small backyard, front yard, or on a patio, here are some fragrant rose varieties that will fill your garden with delightful aromas and colourful blooms:
- Rosa 'Desdemona': This variety has a terrific Old Rose fragrance with hints of almond blossom, cucumber, and lemon zest. It is a bushy shrub rose with pale pink-hued blooms.
- Rosa 'Zephirine Drouhin': A dark pink-flowered climbing rose with an extremely strong fruity fragrance, reminiscent of raspberries. It is thornless and free-flowering, making it a great choice for a fragrant garden.
- David Austin 'Evelyn': This beautiful shrub rose variety has shallow cupped flowers in soft apricot and pink hues, with a rich, fruity scent. It is a recommended variety to grow in Zone 7 and is known for its strong fragrance.
- Rosa 'Bella Rosa': Ideal for compact spaces, this patio rose variety has multi-toned lemon petals with pink edges and a delightful fragrance. Smaller shrub roses like this one are perfect for planting in containers around a seating area to fully enjoy their scent.
- Paul's Himalayan Musk: This fragrant rose variety has little, rosette-shaped flowers in a lovely pale pink colour, with a strong, musky fragrance. It is an exceptionally tall and vigorous climber, making it a great choice for adding height and fragrance to your garden.
- Heritage: An outstanding English rose, 'Heritage' bears soft pink blooms that smell of sweet lemons. It has good disease resistance and fewer thorns on its canes compared to other roses, making it a popular choice for gardeners.
- Louise Odier: Introduced in 1851, this bourbon rose is a vigorous heritage garden rose with bright pink summertime blooms and an intense sweet fragrance. It is a favourite among long-time gardeners due to its strength as a cut flower.
- Madame Plantier: Bred in 1835, this alba rose has white flowers packed with petals and a sweet fragrance. It can grow vertically like a climbing rose and can be pruned regularly to encourage bushy growth.
- Fragrant Cloud: Voted into the Rose Hall of Fame, this hybrid tea rose offers a captivating fragrance with notes of citrus, spice, fruit, and rosy damask, resembling the scent of pumpkin pie. Its big coral-red blooms will add a pop of colour to your small garden.
- Just Joey: This hybrid tea rose variety has a rich, warm colour blend of pale apricot and glowing orange. It has a fruity scent and is an excellent choice for a container rose on your porch or patio due to its shorter nature.
When planning your small garden, consider incorporating raised garden beds, vertical gardens, or potted plants to maximise your space. Fragrant climbing roses can add beauty and scent to arbors, pergolas, or walls, while potted roses placed on a patio near a seating area can enhance your enjoyment of their delightful aromas.
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Fragrant climbing roses
Climbing roses are a beautiful addition to any garden, and their fragrance can be truly enchanting. When choosing fragrant climbing roses, it's important to consider factors such as hardiness, disease resistance, and the strength of their scent. Here are some recommendations for fragrant climbing roses that will delight your senses:
Gertrude Jekyll
Considered by many gardeners to be one of the most fragrant roses, Gertrude Jekyll combines beautiful pink blooms with a rich, antique rose fragrance. It is easy to grow, has great disease resistance, and can be maintained as a tall shrub or encouraged to climb up to 10 feet.
David Austin's Climbing English Roses
David Austin's Climbing English Roses are renowned for their strong fragrance and abundant flowering. They are perfect for growing on house walls, pillars, obelisks, trellises, and over arches. These roses have a unique ability to flower from the top of the plant to the base, filling the air with their delightful scent.
Zéphirine Drouhin
Zéphirine Drouhin is a popular choice for fragrant climbing roses. It has a wonderful fragrance and is also known for being mostly thornless. This variety is a great option for those who want to enjoy the beauty and scent of roses without the worry of thorns.
Madame Isaac Pereire
Madame Isaac Pereire is widely regarded as one of the most fragrant roses in history. It produces large, deep pink blooms and is a rare repeat bloomer among old roses. This shade-tolerant shrub grows vigorously, making it a stunning addition to any garden.
New Dawn
New Dawn is a climbing rose that is known for its hardiness and fragrance. It produces a continuous supply of blossoms and is perfect for covering walls, pergolas, or other structures. Give it plenty of room to climb, and you'll be rewarded with its beautiful scent and vibrant colour.
Caring for Your Climbing Roses
To ensure the healthy growth of your climbing roses, it is important to plant them in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and provide regular watering, especially during dry spells. Most climbing roses require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden. Training your roses along a structure like a trellis, fence, or handrail will encourage more blooms and help support their climbing habit.
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Fragrant roses for cut flowers
Roses are renowned for their captivating fragrances, and certain varieties are particularly well-suited for use as cut flowers. When selecting fragrant roses for cut flowers, consider factors such as scent strength, rose variety, and bloom characteristics. Here are some recommendations for creating beautiful and aromatic bouquets:
Heritage:
The 'Heritage' rose is an outstanding English rose variety known for its soft-pink blooms and a delightful fragrance reminiscent of sweet lemons. It has the added advantage of having fewer thorns compared to other roses, making it a gardener's favourite. The delicate cup-shaped flowers perform well in partial shade, and their fragrance makes them an excellent choice for cut flowers.
Louise Odier:
Introduced in 1851, the 'Louise Odier' is a bourbon rose that has stood the test of time. It boasts bright pink summertime blooms and an intense sweet fragrance. This vigorous heritage rose is a popular choice among long-time gardeners due to its strong fragrance and constant supply of blooms, making it ideal for cut flowers.
Mister Lincoln:
The 'Mister Lincoln' rose is an award-winning hybrid tea rose that remains a top choice for gardens. It features rich, velvety-red petals with a strong, captivating fragrance. Rose experts believe that this variety set the standard for red roses. Its strong fragrance and vibrant colour make it a stunning option for cut flowers.
Paul's Himalayan Musk:
'Paul's Himalayan Musk' is an exceptionally tall and vigorous climber with little rosette-shaped flowers in a lovely pale pink colour. It has a wonderfully strong, musky fragrance and produces an abundant display of blooms. This variety is perfect for creating elegant, fragrant bouquets with its graceful trailing branches.
Fragrant Cloud:
The 'Fragrant Cloud' rose offers a captivating fragrance with notes of citrus, spice, fruit, and rosy damask, reminiscent of pumpkin pie. This hybrid tea rose variety has big coral-red blooms and a strong, sweet scent. Its prolific blossoms and intense fragrance make it an excellent choice for cut flowers, adding both visual appeal and aroma to any arrangement.
When selecting fragrant roses for cut flowers, consider factors such as scent strength, bloom size and colour, and the overall effect you wish to achieve. These recommended varieties will enhance any bouquet with their beauty and delightful fragrances.
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Fragrant roses for different climates
Roses are enormously variable in fragrance, and there are many varieties that can fill your garden with colourful blooms and fabulous floral aromas. Here are some of the most fragrant roses for different climates:
Cold climate
The Iceberg climbing rose is a great option for cold climates, as it blooms all summer until late in the fall and likes hot weather and a sunny spot. The Marie Dermar climbing rose is another variety that can easily resist cold weather. It is very hardy and comes from Hungaria. The Pink Cloud climbing rose offers abundant, fragrant flowering in late summer, while the Sourire d'Orchidée climbing rose offers persistent autumn flowering, with pale, pearly pink blooms that evolve to an almost white hue. The Baron de Gossard is a cold-resistant shrub with large, deep pink flowers and purple nuances.
Hot climate
The Rêve d'Or climbing rose, of the Noisette variety, has fragrant, double flowers in shades of apricot yellow that gradually lighten to a creamy hue. The Climbing Rose Sombreuil is a white climbing rose with fragrant flowers that are extremely tolerant of humidity and rain. The Aimée Vibert climbing rose has a long flowering period and an enchanting fragrance, with pure white, pompon-shaped double roses that bloom from June through to autumn. The Gruss an Coburg rose, also known as the Rose de Vence, has a strong fruity fragrance and adapts very well to warm exposures.
All climates
The Fragrant Cloud rose is a hybrid tea rose with captivating coral-red blooms and a fragrance that combines notes of citrus, spice, fruit, and rosy damask. The Autumn Damask is an old-fashioned, repeat-blooming rose that has been grown since the 1500s and is still popular today due to its intense aroma and beautiful pink flowers. The Heritage English rose bears soft-pink blooms that smell of sweet lemons and has good disease resistance. The Just Joey hybrid tea rose has a beautiful blend of pale apricot and glowing orange colours, as well as a fruity scent that makes it a garden favourite.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the strongest-scented roses include:
- 'Fragrant Cloud' rose, which combines notes of citrus, spice, fruit, and rosy damask.
- 'Madame Isaac Pereire', which produces deep raspberry-rose flowers with a strong fragrance.
- 'Mister Lincoln', an award-winning hybrid tea rose with a strong fragrance.
- 'Paul’s Himalayan musk', a tall, vigorous climber with a musky fragrance.
- 'Heritage', an English rose with soft-pink blooms that smell of sweet lemons.
As a general rule, the most fragrant roses are English Roses and Old Roses. Some of the most fragrant types of roses include shrub roses, climbing roses, and hybrid tea roses.
Some of the best fragrant roses for a garden include:
- 'Evelyn', a David Austin shrub rose with a rich, fruity scent.
- 'Bella Rosa', a patio rose with multi-toned lemon petals and a delightful fragrance.
- 'Roseraie de l'Hay', a rugosa rose with magenta-purple blooms and a very strong, sweet fragrance.
- 'Munstead Wood', a repeat-bloomer with a warm and fruity scent.
- 'Double Delight', a distinctive hybrid tea rose with creamy white flowers and rich, cherry-red edges.











































