Antique, Hybrid Perpetual, Old Garden Rose 'Marchesa Boccella'

Several summers ago, I purchase this rose in a 2 quart pot from Antique Rose Emporium in Texas and had it shipped to me in Long Island wi...Read Moreth a bunch of other different antique tea roses. By accident I forgot to plant it and it was neglected all summer. My husband tossed what he thought was a dead twig in a tiny pot and threw it behind one of our barberry bushes. It stayed hidden from me for two summers and two winters.

Last season while doing Spring cleanup in my yard I found it laying on it's side with one small twig with a few leaves on it. The pot was missing most of it's soil. I felt so sorry for this rose and I figured I had a small chance of it surviving. I planted it in a 15 gallon pot with some soil mixed with bone meal, earthworm castings and chicken compost. It started growing! The first summer it only grew a little bit and a few puny roses grew. Once again I forgot all about it and neglected it over the winter. The winter included a few blizzards along with high winds, as it sat in it's freezing cold 15 gallon pot with no protection at all.

This spring it came back and is over 4 feet tall by about 4 feet wide and has overgrown the pot it is in. It is covered in buds and I am shocked to say the least. This rose is an amazing survivor. It's buds are all waiting to burst open and I see hints of pretty pink buds all over it. Can't wait for the blooms to make a grand entrance. This rose plant is the little engine that could once it gets established!

Excellent antique rose for cold climates. It's hardy and thrives quite well in my zone 5b/6a. It does need some winter protection which I...Read More provide with extra mulch around the base, removing it in spring. I grow it in full sun and well-composted soil. Beautiful flowers will rebloom if the plant is fertilized once or twice (I just use a bonemeal) and the scent is delicate but wonderful. An enchanting smaller rose bush.

I've seen this rose around SF, CA for sometimes. Again at the SJ Heritage Rose Garden where I took the photos. I didn't know I've roote...Read Mored some cuttings but they didn't bloom until 2 yrs later. Like most of my antique rose cuttings they don't immediately bloom the first yr. Its a healthy little plant with no obvious diseases. Nice scent with the most wonderful shades of pale pinks. The fragrance reminds me of baby powder and musty. It reblooms spring summer and fall. I've put it in a rather shady area with no ill effects. Not as robust as some of the hybrid teas but then again I don't need some big monster to tame. Its good as a low growing plant.

Small marble sized buds with a deep open "eye" in the center burst into fully open 3" + flat blossoms almost overnight. The fragrance is...Read More outstanding.