Many of the contemporaries of this rose are not really worth planting anymore, but Fragrant Cloud will always have a place in my garden. As our colleague Mr Gerber below points out, it does need "reasonable protection" - same here in Victoria BC - similar, slightly cooler climate - if not sprayed, it will always get blackspot, also a bit of mildew - but even so, this is one of the all-time great roses. The fragrance is unequaled - it is so strong that you can't really smell other roses after a sniff of this one. The blooms are extremely well formed, the colour is almost unique, very vibrant - and it retains its vigour even after almost 4 decades - unlike some others, such as Peace.

This rose is among the main reasons to grow roses in the first place!

I tested this variety before it was introduced in the USA for Jackson & Perkins, probably about 1969. This was in New Jersey, where it performed as the superior rose it still is today. In Oregon, where I now live, it grows to about 8 feet tall, even with pruning the bush down about two thirds of the way each spring. Covers itself with fabulously fragrant flowers! If there is anywhere in the country where it is difficult to control disease, Oregon is the place, with our wet, wet, wet spring weather. With reasonable protection, there is no problem with disease on 'Fragrant Cloud'.

Fragrant Cloud gets a lot of negative reviews, but it's really a great rose for me. A beautiful, well rounded bush with foliage to the ground; gets at least 5ft high each summer; completely covers itself in blooms with great repeat throughout the summer; the heat and high humidity here don't slow it down. Yes, it will blackspot some, but most roses do in my climate.

i purchased Fragrant cloud from a local store this past spring, was a little hesistant because of the comments here on HMF., Approx four months into this rose growing in the garden, it has really excelled, it was 2ft tall when i got it, now it is over 5ft tall. It seems to be taking off very quickly, thick,bushy, the blooms have a strong scent. so far, iam glad i purchased this rose. I bought another as a present for my sister-in-law and hers is also doing very well to date. Hope this keeps up. so far disease has not been a problem, it is planted rather close to perfume delight which has some powder mildew (arghhhh) but Fragrant cloud has not gotten it. Im keeping my fingers cross on this one. Will update its performance in the zone 6 winter.