Book  (Jun 1986)  Page(s) 95.  Includes photo(s).

Book  (1986)  Includes photo(s).
 
p36 For years 'Handel' was my favourite "baby".

p60. 'Handel has long been one of my favourite roses. it is also at the top of the polls conducted by the New Zealand and British rose societies. The American Rose Society gives it an 8.6 out of 10. I attribute its popularity to distinctiveness, as there is nothing even remotely like it. If you are one of those people who likes to wear a buttonhole to work, I recommend you plant it by your front door - there will always be a perfect bloom on it. Of course the plant is not perfect. Like all our modern climbers, the more time and trouble you take to train the shoots out horizontally, the greater will be your reward. it can also need some protection from blackspot.

p61 Illustration. 'Handel'.

p68....If you have plenty of space it is possibly to grow things such as 'Handel' and 'Galway Bay' as shrubs. Effective they are too.

Website/Catalog  (1986)  Page(s) 50.  
 
Handel (Modern Climber) Dark stems and glossy, dark green foliage.  Flowers large, semi-double, silvery-white with pink and red markings on the petal edges.  Scented. Vigorous. 1956. P. (C) 12 x 8’. 

Book  (1985)  Page(s) 107.  
 
Nola Murray. Latched on to Latchers. ....Also mixed up with them was 'Handel' (natural climber). Need I describe this beautiful McGredy rose which everybody knows and grows?

Website/Catalog  (1982)  Page(s) 16.  
 
Händel Mc Gredy 1965. Fleurs roses carminées, doubles, respirant la fraîcheur. Fort arbuste, habillé d'un très beau feuillage. Hauteur 200 cm.

Book  (1979)  Page(s) 34.  
 
Stuart Pinfold. Rose en Masse. Some may require roses for special purposes, say climbing roses. Here again what may well be a "good un" in a well run private garden may be a poor choice in a public garden 'Handel' is the first that comes to mind as equally good in either situation. Remember that it is a very strong grower.

Book  (1978)  Page(s) 144.  
 
'Handel'   Climber   Pink  & white Remontant    P6    H2  *** 
A flower of fair size and good formation, most of it creamy white, flushed with pink and rose red, especially at the petal edges. From that recipe, it makes an exquisite bloom. I have greatly admired 'Handel', which nearly always has at least a few pretty flowers on it from summer to late autumn. Occasionally one sees a plant suffering from blackspot on its handsome leaves, and but for that it would be one of my five star roses.  Raised by  Sam  McGredy    from   'Columbine' x 'Heidelberg',  and introduced in 1965.

Book  (1975)  Page(s) 139.  Includes photo(s).
 
Symposium on Recurrent Climbers.
Handel (16 votes): McGredy, 1965. 'Columbine'x'Heidelberg'. TGC 1965. Cream, flushed rosy pink at the edges of the petals. Shapely in the bud, opening into moderately full blooms (22 petals), 3 1/2 in. across, which are weather resistant. Mr Le Grice refers to the colouring as a lovely confection of ivory and pink, which Mr Rice, more materialistic, finds that it reminds him of raspberries and cream. Most of our contributors consider it free flowering over a long season. Mr Pawsey has found it particularly good in autumn. Mr Le Grice regards it as colourful, even in the wet, while both Brig. Lucas Phillips and Mr Bowen find it valuable as a cut flower. Mr Shortland refers to the petals falling cleanly. There is some difference of opinion about scent. Dr Dick notes its fragrance; Mr Le Grice describes it as briar scented and Mr Shortland can detect some fragrance, although Mr Shreeves considers the scent is negligible and I agree with him. The fact that twelve contributors have not considered it worth mentioning is an indication that it is no more than slight. Growth is found to be variable. Both Mr Roscoe and Mr Rice in the North West find it very strong and vigorous, needing careful training to keep it within bounds. On the other hand, Mr Le Grice considers that it needs patience to lead it upwards while Mr Pawsey also finds it a neat grower. Mr Balfour's reference to using it as a shrub implies a restrained habit of growth. Brig. Lucas Phillips refers to its lusty growth, too strong and stiff for a cramped position. My own experience is of growth being neat and restrained. Mr Le Grice comments that the main flower stems stand well away from the plant, while both Mr Gault and Mr Shortland find that it breaks freely from the base. The foliage is semi-glossy, dark green, bronze tinted when young. Mr Rice refers to slight mildew, while Brig. Lucas Phillips has to fight all the time against Black Spot, which agrees with my own experience. Mr Allen and Mr Bowen feel it needs occasional spraying against Black Spot, while the experience of Mr Balfour, Mr Shortland, Mr Fairbrother and Mr Shreeves is that the foliage is free from disease. All are agreed on the beauty of the flower.

p140. distance photo 'Handel'

Book  (1974)  Page(s) 13.  
 
David Ruston. Roses of Distinction. 'Handel' too, is continuous flowering and the creamy white buds tipped with carmine are very beautiful and make a lovely show when trained on a post or fence.

Book  (1973)  Page(s) 58.  
 
Isobel Coulston. The Final Analysis, 1972-73 Season. Climbers.
'Handel'. N.R.S. Rating 8.6 (S. McGredy, '65). Surely this must be the most popular climber ever! Robust and healthy but easily controlled. A recurrent flowerer. Picks well and looks well inside, a creamy/white edged deep rose pink.