Commercially available

• Francis E. Lester

39 favorite votes.  
Average rating: GOOD+.  

White, near white or white blend Hybrid Musk.
Registration name: Francis E. Lester (hybrid musk, Lester 1946)

Bred by Lester Rose Gardens (United States, 1946).

Hybrid Musk, Rambler, Shrub.  

White or white blend.  Blush pink with white center.  Strong, clove fragrance.  up to 5 petals.  Average diameter 2".  Small to medium, single (4-8 petals), in large clusters, flat bloom form.  Prolific, once-blooming spring or summer.  Small buds.  

Tall, climbing.  Medium, semi-glossy, medium green foliage.  7 leaflets.  

Height: 8' to 16' (245 to 490cm).  Width: 8' to 10' (245 to 305cm).

USDA zone 6b through 10b.  Can be used for landscape.  Very hardy.  very vigorous.  can be trained as a climber.  produces decorative hips.  Disease susceptibility: very disease resistant.  

According to Bill Grant, Francis E. Lester was released after Lester's death. It soon disappeared from American gardens, but it continued to be grown in Europe.
The American Rose Annual 1928 has an article by Francis E. Lester about Monterey's Municipal Rose Garden. [See Gardens:Public for more information.]
One of the Roses that "passed the test" in Longwood Garden's Ten-Year Rose Trials.

["San Juan Musk" found at San Juan Bautista, CA]