Frances
Dubreuil
Origin
- Dubreuil,
1894
Parentage - Unknown
Color - Dark crimson
Foliage - Medium green
Thorns - Light
Size - 2'-3' high x 2'-4' wide (shrub)
Fragrance - Strong
Repeat bloom - Yes
Disease resistance - Fair
Hardiness - Zone 5
The
Name of the Rose - Francis Dubreuil was a tailor from Lyon
who became a rose breeder later in life. His granddaughter was Francis
Meilland, wife of Antoine (Papa) Meilland.
When
I think of Francis Dubreuil, one word comes to mind - puny! Don't
get me wrong - this is a lovely rose but it is not a strong grower
and I have vowed to move it to a container. It always gets lost among
even the lowest growing perennials and sometimes seems as though he
is playing hide and seek in the border. When the blooms come though,
all is forgiven as this a most elegant and refined rose.
Colored
a deep rich velvety red, it a standout among the usual pastel shaded
relatives in its class. The fully petaled double blooms will appear
at intervals throughout the growing season and they fade into a much
darker color, almost black. Plant this rose so that it gets afternoon
shade to protect the color from washing out. The blooms have an excellent
fragrance if you can bend down low enough to smell them! Foliage is
somewhat sparse and limbs can be twiggy but that is not enough to
deter the charm of this beautiful rose.
Watch out for
mildew during prolonged wet weather. Blackspot can also be a problem.
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