Royden Rose

Royden is one of the new roses I chose for the Birthday Garden - my sneaky birthday present to daughter, where I spent lots of money on heaps of roses, pretended it was a real birthday present, and felt completely justified - generous, even!

It's a lovely rose which I'm sure is bred by a South Island of New Zealand local. Since Royden is missing from my big rose books, I've tried to be sensible and Google-search for some information, with a rather myopic result - I am instantly referred to the pages of my very own journal! I have also found a sea captain, and an orchid, but absolutely no-one has thought to list the fragrant, butterscotch-coloured rose I know as Royden.

A Scrumptious Rose?

I have this rose clearly listed in my purchases, and one hopes that I copied the name directly from a rose label! So Royden, name and breeder unknown, really does exist. It is a strong grower, with shiny mid-green leaves. It shares a heavenly fragrance with anyone lucky enough to walk past. The early buds are quite caramel in colour, turning to pale cream as the flowers open. Butterscotch, caramel and cream - what a great rose for a foodie! Yum - scrumptious!

Footnote

A 2005 Christmas present from one of my lovely students has just arrived - a Royden rose, complete with label. Yes! Proof! There is nothing dodgy about my memories, apart from a small spelling mistake which I have dutifully corrected...