Ben Hamilton Anderson, a professional landscaper and popular YouTuber, recently unveiled his eagerly awaited “Best Roses for Fragrance” collection. With years of experience cultivating roses and a deep appreciation for their sensory appeal, Ben’s selection is a must-read for rose enthusiasts seeking to enhance their gardens with beauty and scent.
This year’s collection is the result of months of meticulous assessment, during which Ben developed a unique 10-star fragrance rating system. This innovative scale evaluates roses based on the depth, strength, and complexity of their fragrance, ensuring only the most aromatic varieties make the cut. Each rose featured scores 8 or higher, highlighting their exceptional olfactory qualities.
Let’s delve into the roses that earned a spot in Ben’s collection, including their standout features and why they’re beloved by gardeners worldwide.
Boscobel: The Quintessential Shrub Rose
Boscobel is a compact shrub rose reaching about three feet in both height and spread. Its large, bowl-shaped flowers are a visual delight, blooming in two distinct flushes each season. Boscobel’s fragrance is just as impressive, earning it a place in this esteemed collection. Gardeners appreciate its reliability, making it a perfect addition to smaller spaces.
Munstead Wood: A Legend of Fragrance
Munstead Wood is widely regarded as one of the most fragrant roses in cultivation. Its velvety, deep crimson blooms exude a rich and complex aroma that garnered a 9.5 on Ben’s fragrance scale. Though retired in the UK, Munstead Wood remains available worldwide, making it a prized addition for collectors who value both its beauty and its intoxicating scent.
Benjamin Britten: A Warm and Spicy Treasure
Benjamin Britten stands out with its unique coral-salmon blooms edged with antique tones. Its warm, spicy fragrance sets it apart, offering a masculine edge rarely found in roses. As the blooms age, they develop a charming grayish patina, adding depth to their visual appeal. Despite its retirement in the UK, Benjamin Britten remains a hidden gem for rose lovers.
Jubilee Celebration: A Showstopper
Jubilee Celebration boasts some of the largest blooms in the David Austin collection, often rivaling the size of a hand. These vibrant flowers, coupled with their extraordinary fragrance, make this rose a standout for indoor arrangements. Whether on a dining table or a bedside stand, Jubilee Celebration brings elegance and aroma to any setting.
Silas Marner: The Garden’s Crown Jewel
Ben’s personal favorite, Silas Marner, claims the top spot in his fragrance rankings. This rose features soft pink blooms with an exquisite aroma that exemplifies perfection. Though susceptible to challenges like nearby wasp nests, Silas Marner remains an unbeatable choice for fragrance enthusiasts seeking a reliable and stunning performer.
Follow along with the original video here:
Country Parson and Harlow Carr: Sister Roses with Distinct Appeal
Country Parson, with its sherbet lemon to creamy ivory tones, is both intensely fragrant and resilient. This rose thrives in windy or exposed areas, making it ideal for challenging garden environments. Its sister, Harlow Carr, shares similar attributes but adds a touch of sugar-pink charm. Both roses demand care due to their thorns and susceptibility to wet weather, yet their breathtaking fragrance makes the effort worthwhile.
Bring Me Sunshine: A Rising Star
A new addition to Ben’s top 20, Bring Me Sunshine captivates with its sandalwood and clove notes. This vigorous climber reaches over six feet and is perfect for adorning obelisks or posts. Its massive blooms and heady fragrance make it a centerpiece in any garden.
The Poet’s Wife: A Sprawling Beauty
The Poet’s Wife is renowned for its rich golden-yellow flowers and sprawling growth habit. Its informal charm belies the care needed during pruning, as its stems ramble freely. Despite this, its large, fragrant blooms and sunny disposition make it a favorite for gardeners who value a touch of wild elegance.
Honorable Mentions
While some roses couldn’t make a physical appearance in Ben’s video, their remarkable fragrance earned them a place in the collection. Highlights include:
- The Generous Gardener: A climbing rose with a soft, romantic scent.
- Lady Emma Hamilton: A bold choice, currently between flushes.
- Penelope Lively: A promising new addition for 2023, available soon in Europe and America.
- Constance Spry: A once-flowering treasure from David Austin.
A Final Note from Ben
Ben encourages rose enthusiasts to explore his full reviews on Instagram and YouTube, where each variety is assessed in greater detail. From fragrance notes to care tips, his insights provide invaluable guidance for selecting the perfect rose.
For those inspired by this collection, remember to use the hashtag #ItsBensFault when sharing your own rose adventures on Instagram. With Ben’s expertise lighting the way, creating a fragrant and stunning garden has never been more achievable.
Ben Hamilton Anderson, known as #GardenerBen, is a full-time professional landscaper specializing in wildlife-friendly organic spaces. He shares his passion for English roses across multiple social media channels with how-to tutorials, product reviews, and rose care insights from our quintessential English cottage garden in the heart of the New Forest, UK.
