I had Cymbaline in my garden several houses and many years ago and found in a most unusual rose. I recall it was somewhat lax in habit and not the most free-flowering rose, but it repeated well enough for me. The flowers were exceptional in two respects -- the ethereal color and the amazing fragrance. The roses really did smell like myrrh, with a hint of violets. The color for me was creamy pale pink, tinged a smoky gray-lavender. A very pretty rose with a truly remarkable fragrance.
Hey, Jeff! I'm thinking about adding this rose to my garden. My space is limited, but I think I can squeeze in a small climber. The scent of 'Cymbaline' appeals to me. How healthy is this rose? Do you have any other photos? I'd love any additional info!
I wish I could take credit for that wonderful photo, but I can't. Someone else took the photo and posted it here. Seeing the photo did make me recall growing Cymbaline, which I think sort of disappeared from commerce for a while. As I recall (and it has been a while since I grew it) it is a reasonably healthy Austin. Which is to say, it is prone to mildew and rust if the weather is right. I don't recall blackspot being a problem at all. It isn't the most heavily foliaged rose, either. It tends to sprawl a bit, growing wider than tall unless it is trained otherwise. Rebloom is average and in flushes -- about 6-8 weeks between flushes. The spring bloom is the best. And like many Austins of that time, it doesn't like to be pruned too heavily in winter. The plant I had was grafted and moderately vigorous, own-root plants would be probably less so.
I would take a chance on it, if I were you. The flowers are ravishing and their fragrance is truly unique. I think Vintage has it, though I think it's been popular with them, so I hope it isn't sold out.
Hey, Jeff Vintage notified me of 'Cymballine' being newly available own root. I think I'm going to get one... the scent sounds so tempting. I like some of the early Austin roses. This one sounds like a lovely addition.
I deal with mildew on some of my other roses, so i guess I can handle adding another to the spray regime. As to foliage... I like to grow Clematis into my roses, so a white or pale pink Clem would fill in the gaps...
You garden in San Francisco? Me to. Twin Peaks area. Jeff
I garden in Glen Park, so fairly similar weather. I grew Cymbaline when I was living in Noe Valley in a garden with rather poor air circulation. Mildew usually isn't a problem where I garden now, just a whiff on a few sensitive plants if I over fertilize. Rust is another matter entirely. If we have foggy summer weather (as we did this July/August), rust becomes a huge problem. And in California, there aren't chemicals on the retail market to combat rust effectively, even if you have the inclination to use them. Alas, some of the my favorite roses are martyrs to rust some years.
I also grow Clematis to grow among my roses -- all type III's so I can hack them back when I prune the roses in January.
Hey, Jeff Vintage notified me of 'Cymballine' being newly available own root. I think I'm going to get one... the scent sounds so tempting. I like some of the early Austin roses. This one sounds like a lovely addition.
I deal with mildew on some of my other roses, so i guess I can handle adding another to the spray regime. As to foliage... I like to grow Clematis into my roses, so a white or pale pink Clem would fill in the gaps...
