This is a special one!
Tonight I feature a rose I’ve been waiting to see, because of just how old it is. I was happy to see it in bloom at the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden on Monday.
Read this, from its antique rose emporium page:
“Eglanteria “Sweet Briar Rose”
Prior to 1551
Known as the Sweet Briar Rose because of the strongly apple-scented leaves, this is a favorite English native that has been recorded in literature from Chaucer to Shakespeare. R. eglanteria, or Eglantine, has been common in cottage gardens on both sides of the Atlantic because it is not only hardy but always fragrant, whether or not it is in bloom. The rambling shrub is large, thorny, and vigorous with dark green, slightly rough foliage. Spring flowers are pink with five petals and have a good rose fragrance of their own. R. eglanteria should be part of every fragrance garden. Rain, wind and sun all seem to bring out the perfume of the plant. If supported as a climber, it could reach 10 to 15 feet.”
R. eglanteria Rose, 10.26.15