A Walk Through The Garden, 2008

'Léda'

Damask, c. 1827, Breeder Unknown

I ordered 'Léda' with my very first batch of Heritage Roses just because I wanted to see for myself the famous "Painted Damask." She didn't bloom that first year; evidently she had finished by the time she got here. But throughout 2005 she grew a few stout canes; and in 2006, she coated them with the most perfectly shaped flowers I have ever seen.

'Léda's' buds were typical, but the flowers lacked the dashes of red that one so often hears about, and have for the last two years. No matter. The fragrance is very heaven, and the form of the flower is not to be missed. She flowered for an entire month, quite a feat for a plant so young. The only fault I found with her was that when her boughs were laden with flowers, they immediately fell to the ground because of their weight, and were promptly used as beds by cats. So later in the year, when she produced a few more canes for me, I tied 'Léda' to some bamboo posts to keep her flowers off the ground.

'Léda' has suckered with wild abandon and I may have to pot up some of the suckers just to make sure there's plenty of space in the garden.

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