In Lyon a hundred years ago, Schmitt embarked on a breeding experiment with R. Multiflora, which had arrived from China in 1860. Multiflora is thornless, vigorous and healthy, three essential elements of any good rose. Nowdays, it is widely used as a rootstock, sometimes to our chagrin when it sprouts suckers.

In creating Aglaia, Schmitt used the Noisette Rêve d'Or as the other parent, apparently to exploit its yellow colouring. Rêve d'Or was a successful shorter-grower, produced by the widow Ducher in Lyon in 1869.
The result was so successful that Schmitt persuaded the German nurseryman Peter Lambert to introduce her. In 1896, Aglaia was marketed as "Yellow Rambler", claimed to be the first rambler of this colour. Aglaia is a near-thornless rambler of great vigour and charm. In spring, she produces huge clusters of very fragrant blooms which might be construed as being yellow, but in fact are more cream, fading slowly to white. Foliage is healthy and attractive. The fragrance is strong, the display breathtaking. In a good climate it is easily capable of 5m. Whether Aglaia's growth can be construed as graceful, she's certainly vigorous. Her arching canes demand space and structure.
The Aglaia story does not end here. Lambert saw it's merit and used it in his own breeding programme, producing a dense-growing hardy shrub/climber that he called Trier, after his ancient German city. Trier was to become the foundation of the Hybrid Musk family, developed by the Rev Pemberton in England after WW1. These beautiful repeat-flowering shrubs deserve a place in any garden.

The second of the three graces, Euphrosyne was marketed as "Pink Rambler". Again using Multiflora, this time Schmitt used Mignonette, an important early Polyantha developed in Lyon by Guillot fils. Also with Multiflora parentage, Mignonette was a hardy tough repeat-flowering little bush with big sprays of double pink blooms. Not as bold or vigorous as Aglaia, Euphrosyne is more a classical rambler with thin pliant canes.
Her buds are bright carmine, produced in clusters. The blooms are flat, initially rich dark pink, paling with age. The fragrance is attractively of tea. This rambler was one of Gertrude Jeckyll's favourites.

Thalia ("White rambler"), the third grace, follows the Euphroysne mould, being a Multiflora cross with Paquerette, another foundation Polyantha from Guillot fils. When making L'Haye des Roses, director Gravereaux appreciated Thalia's delights, planting her strategically through the Roseraie. Flowering later than the others, Thalia has huge clusters of pure white double blooms that are very fragrant. Foliage is fresh green and healthy. Growth is vigorous but manageable.

These appear to be the only Schmitt roses available today. They are typically tough ramblers, appearing to grow without much attention, impervious to pest or disease. Time has not overtaken them.


Copyright Lloyd Chapman Trinity Farm, Otaki September 1999

More articles by Lloyd Chapman

Purple Ramblers    January 2002
The Endless Charm of Rugosas    June 2000
Winter care in the Rose garden    Winter 2000
Alba Roses   January 1999
Hybrid Musks   June 1998
Single roses    December 1997
Moss Roses   September 1997
Damask Roses   July 1997
The Glory of Wichuraiana Ramblers   June 1997

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