Sweet Briars. Apple Scented Foliage

Derived from Rosa eglanteria, these roses, with a few exceptions, have wonderful apple scented foliage which is strongest from young tender shoots. It is not always noticable without touching the leaves but it will pervade the air after rain or on dewy mornings.

One of the best known is ‘Lady Penzance’ named for the wife of Lord Penzance who, in the late 1800’s bred many of the varieties available in catalogues today. There are one or two repeat flowering Sweet Briars but these are hybrids and tend not to have the perfumed leaves, the others will bear just one flush of flowers followed by hips in the autumn. As with the species these roses are perfect in natural settings or in conservation areas but are adaptable enough to use in most gardens, where they are best in a setting of other shrubs and roses.