Rose of the Month

By Bill Stafford

Without hesitation, “Double Delight” is my most favorite rose. As the name suggests, “Double Delight” presents two features that astonish my senses. The deep hypnotic fragrance of spicy sweetness that can be smelled several yards away is my favorite feature of this rose. In fact on warm calm days, when I am walking around the back yard I can get a whiff of sweet smell that draws me to the rose garden. There I follow the fragrance through the garden, right to “Double Delight”. Once there the real treat is to bury my nose in the petals to a sweet explosion. When I open my eyes the second feature that I love is the incredible mixture of a beautiful red and cream, perhaps the colors of strawberries and cream. The lavish blend of red and cream force a smile on my face and remind me that all of the intense work, care and labor of love are necessary to produce this magnificent combination of sight and smell.

The rose was hybridized by Swim and Ellis from a cross of “Grenada” and “Garden Party”. It was introduced to commerce and won the All America Rose Selection honor in 1977.

Many times I have taken bouquets of roses to friends and family. After their initial “wow” of the mixed colors and glory I search through the bundle to find my “Double Delight” and tell them they must smell this rose. They push their nose into the center and a wide smile spreads over their face. I then proudly say, “It's ‘Double Delight’, my favorite rose!”