I'm a bit in love with this rose and so are a great many people when they see it at it's magnificent best. Firstly it is not black, but when it's in bud it does look as if it just could be. The flowers are up to eleven centimetres across, and at their best could be described as deep garnet with purple hues, I'd say it looks like a dark Merlot. This does change depending on temperature, age and sunlight, in that the centre of the bloom will get more red in bright sun and high temperatures but it remains striking. The perfume is brilliant, sweet, deep rose with a long finish. It is a dusky beauty, the foliage is very dark, matt green which adds to the allure. It is compact in habit and not as tall as a lot of H.T varieties keeping a more rounded shape, it's a a strong repeater, and a good vase rose.
