Clotilde Soupert Rose

This beautiful Polyantha rose was introduced in 1890 and is unusual for its wonderful old rose fragrance and large flowers. Most roses in the Polyantha class do not have fragrance. The blooms have a pronounced deep pink center in colder weather and the blooms increase in size. Flowers can be up to 3 inches across in the coolest part of the year. Mine are two inches across now and are mostly white with a hint of pink at the center. The coldest temperatures we have had so far have been in the upper 50’s. The blooms have over 100 petals which is very unusual for this class of roses. This rose is almost thorn free.

This rose requires special attention as far as planting location is concerned. You should choose a location with full sun, good air movement and drainage, and located away from concrete. The rose will be trouble free if you site the plant correctly. ‘Clotilde Soupert’ can get powdery mildew and black spot but seems immune to thrip and Sri Lankan weevil which attacked my ‘Knock Out’ rose which I just retired.

I have not had any problems with my ‘Clotilde Soupert’. Polyantha roses show occasional old stem dieback which is normal. The rose can eventually grow to 4-5 feet in height and spread. Plants are available at Jesse Durko’s Nursery in Davie, 954-792-2297

My ‘Mrs. B. R. Cant’ rose is starting to bloom again on what is left of the plant. This plant is struggling as the graft union is failing and the rose is gradually dying. The flowers are superb reaching 4 inches in diameter during the cooler winter months.  The foliage is healthy and has not been bothered by the Sri Lankan weevil and thrip that has knocked out the supposedly impervious ‘Knock Out’ rose. I hate to lose this beautiful but thorny rose. Grafted plants are often a problem as the graft union can fail as my rose is suffering from. Roses and gardenias are the most commonly grafted plants in Florida.

Plants are grafted to a root stock that is resistant to pests in our soil. Root knot nematodes are the most common root pest in Florida and most hybrid tea and other roses are grafted. This is an advantage for the old China antique roses which can be grown from cuttings and grow on their own roots.

Below are photos of my ‘Mrs. B. R. Cant’ rose showing clean foliage and blooms. I will try to take a photo of the bad graft union. I will also take a photo of the highly touted ‘Knock Out’ rose.