Magazine  (Sep 2002)  Page(s) 9. Vol 24, No. 3.  
 
Peter Cox. Some more information concerning “Isabel Smith” our autumn journal cover rose.
Stephanie Murphy of Sydney has suggested that this China rose has a description similar to l’Ouche, a China rose by Buatois of France 1901 of unknown parentage. Peter Beales has a description – ‘Large, full, pointed buds open to fully double, cupped blooms of flesh pink lightly flecked with buff yellow. Scented. Not entirely typical of a China, being rather upright in growth with fairly dark, thick foliage. Continuous flowering 1.2m x 0.9m.' This rose is not available now in Australia, so it is unlikely that we will find a plant to compare.

Magazine  (Mar 2002)  Page(s) 5, Vol 24, No. 1.  Includes photo(s).
 
Cover photo.

Peter Cox. Story Behind the Cover Rose – known as “Isabel Smith” The rose is growing at Rookwood Cemetery, in the Municipality of Strathfield, part of the inner western suburbs of Sydney. The cemetery is claimed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere and was opened in 1867. the rose is growing in the centre of an unmarked grave, the burial place of John Geibke of 1897 and the rose grows on its own roots (see the small insert on the back cover). The marked grave of Isabel Smith, with headstone, stands adjacent to that of John Geibke, so that, for ease of identity, the rose is known as Isabel Smith. Cuttings of the rose are now growing in the cemetery rose garden, where they were planted three years ago and the bushes are around 1.5 metres of 5ft tall, by as much across. In contrast, the grave rose grows to around 0.9 metres or 3ft tall and is somewhat lacking in vigour, due to the poor soil and aggressive climate, although it was, when last visited on Friday 8th February, 2002, putting out new shoots with flower buds forming, this following the heavy rains of early February. The photograph was taken in the Rookwood flower garden and as can be seen, the flower is described as mid-pink with a darker reverse to the outer petals, also the outer petals tend to be paler when they reflex. The flower does not open flat, but retains the cupped form. Some petals exhibit a white stripe and there is a touch of cream to the base of the petals. At the end of flowering the petals drop cleanly. There is a slight scent in the flowers. The buds are deep pink to crimson before opening and this deep pink is retained on the backs of the outer petals, until fading as the flower ages. The flowers are from 50 to 70mm across and have 35 to 40 petals. The stamens and pistil are short and rarely visible. The flowers are carried singly or in loose sprays of up to 11 flowers. The growth tends to be upright, although with the density of the foliage in the flower garden, the plants spread. The grave photograph shows the natural growth under poor conditions. The thorns are few, tan in colour ageing grey. The new growth is burgundy in colour, with this colour persisting at the edge of the leaflets. The leaflets are 3 to 7 on a stem, ovate and with acuminate (sharp) tips, mature leaflets are dark green and shiny on upper surface, matt and paler on underside, young leaflets pale green with burgundy edges.