Magazine  (2011)  Page(s) 34. Vol 33, No. 2.  
 
Patricia Routley. That Rose Again.
There has been confusion with the "Mrs. Something" (syn "Brooks Rose" - and syn umpteen other "study names", see the Autumn, 2011 journal page 4) and the Hybrid Multiflora De la Grifferaie (cover photo, Spring Journal of 2010). I don't have 'De la Grifferaie' but from looking at the references on I see differences. I have compared the two on my keyboard and have shared my musings on the "Brooks Rose" (in normal typeface) - against 'De la Grifferaie' (in italics).

Bloom: Neat, a flat cupped dense swirl with yellow-green pointel.
Shapeless, malformed (note: Quest-Ritson 2003 does say "flat").
Colour: Lilac or silvery-lavender-mauve pink, fading slightly at edges.
Various shades. Carmine, purple, magenta and lilac, fading unevenly to blush and white.
Perfume: Very fragrant.
1933 Scentless (the first mention of perfume in my literature). 1936 Faint damask. 1980 Deliciously scented.
Sexual parts: No anthers. ?pistils. Not fertile
Few anthers. Smooth pistils. Is fertile.
Receptacle: Prickly hairs extend up the pedicel and on to the receptacle.
Not seen and there is no mention.
Bush: Suckers slowly to about 1m.
Suckers vigorously.
Leaf: Blue-ish green Basal leaf small. Texture under: pale, matt, with the odd silky hair, mainly on the ribs. The hairs only visible with a hand lens.
Colour ? Basal leaf very small. Very downy under.
Stipule: Edged with glands and hairs - not feathery.
Edge is much frayed in the multiflora fashion.
Canes: Green
Red or dark wood.
Thorns: Mostly thornless, or groups of thorns toward the base. Thorns may fall off with age and this needs further observation.
Up until 1976 references say ‘De la Grifferaie’ had thorns. From 1980 onward it became thornless.

I would never dare suggest that W. J. Bean in his 1980 edition of Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles got the two roses confused, but the way 'De la Grifferaie' became thornless and deliciously scented from 1980 puts wicked thoughts into my head. As for “Mrs. Something” being an understock, surely this rose was deliberately planted for its perfume and utter beauty. I have put many photos of my rose on and am a little closer to what our "Mrs. Something" (syn: Brooks Rose) might be.

Article (magazine)  (2007)  Page(s) 53-54.  
 
Unfortunately, Pergolèse (Moreau et Robert, 1860), Comte de Chambord (Moreau et Robert 1860), Marie Robert (Moreau et Robert, circa 1860?), Jacques Cartier (Moreau-Robert, 1868), and Rembrandt (Moreau-Robert, 1883) all seem to be wrongly named.....De la Grifferaie (Vibert, 1845) is the rather egregious impostor that I have received and seen in photographs that purports to be Marie Robert.

Magazine  (2006)  Page(s) 7. Vol 21, No. 1.  
 
Erich Unmuth, Rudolf Geschwind.
Another important rose in Geschwind's breeding was De la Grifferaie (Vibert, 1845), which displays traits of Multiflora and Gallica.  The best Geschwind roses with 'De la Grifferaie' as an ancestor are 'Ernst Dorell', 'Erlkonig', 'Mercedes',  and 'Nymphe Tepla'.

Book  (2003)  Page(s) 95.  
 
p54
p95
p95. ‘De La Grifferaie’ (Vibert, 1845).

Book  (Dec 1998)  Page(s) 194.  
 
'De la Grifferaie'. Modern, Rambler. Deep pink. Found in wild places, ruined buildings and old cemeteries, this rampant rose suckers vigorously on its own roots, which may explain why it has naturalized so readily. The trusses are filled with fully double, magenta-cerise blooms that are quite pink in the sun and tend to be shapeless and scentless. The 6 ft (1.8m) shrub has long, arching branches of dark wood and is almost free of prickles. Used widely as root stock, it is not considered of much value in regular gardens, however, when it is discovered thriving on its own and with a delicious perfume, a second opinion may be warranted. The former residence of the de la Grifferaie family is in Normandy. Zones 4-11. Vibert, France 1845. (Parentage): Possibly Rosa multiflora x unknown Gallica or Damask.

Book  (1997)  Page(s) 27.  Includes photo(s).

Book  (Nov 1994)  Page(s) 180.  
 
‘De la Grifferaie’ Vibert, France, 1846. Possibly a hybrid of Rosa multiflora with one of the Old Roses, bearing clusters of fully double, pompon-like, magenta-cerise blooms fading to lilac-white, deliciously scented, on long arching branches. This is one of the most usual Old Roses to be sent in for naming. It is a thrifty old hybrid and, having been used for many years as an understock, often survives long after the scion has died. The colouring is certainly reminiscent of the Gallica Roses, but its frayed stipules and coarse, rounded leaves soon identify it. It is not to be despised for the show it puts up, and is useful for adding height to a border of Old Roses. Nearly thornless. 6 feet by 5 feet.

Book  (Apr 1993)  Page(s) 127.  
 
De la Grifferaie Hybrid Multiflora, carmine to pink, 1845, Parentage uncertain, possibly a hybrid between R. multiflora and a Gallica or Damascena; Vibert. Description.

Book  (1988)  Page(s) 59.  Includes photo(s).
 
A hybrid between a Gallica and possibly R. multiflora raised by Vibert in 1846. It makes a tall shrub up to 2 m high and across, with few thorns. The flowers are well scented, in small bunches. This rose was often used as an understock, and so has in many places outlived the rose which was budded on to it. Nonetheless it deserves to be grown for its own good qualities.

Book  (1986)  Page(s) 204.  
 
‘De la Grifferaie’ (Vibert), 1846) carries double, fragrant magenta flowers on branches that are almost thornless, and it is therefore often used as an understock; it is probably a multiflora hybrid.