The Magnificent 7

It was a gardening friend Shirley Beatty who introduced me to the French beauty Madame Caroline Testout. My heart was stolen, it was a meeting I would never forget, for Shirley Beatty grows this climbing rose to perfection at Knockcree, her garden in Carrickmines, Co. Dublin. Covering the side of the house, where a delicious rich scent drifted through open windows, grows one of the finest climbing roses of all time. When in full flower climbing Madame Caroline Testout is covered in enormous silvery, satin pink blouse blooms which are exquisitely rolled and ruffled around the edges.

This climbing rose was named after a late 19th century French couturiere from Grenoble. She was the proprietress of the most fashionable salons of the day in Paris and London. Madame Testout travelled extensively to purchase fabrics for her wealthy clients, and on one such trip to Lyons, famous for silk production, she heard tell of a talented rose breeder, Joseph Pernet-Ducher, who was developing the latest rage of the time, 'Hybrid teas'. A meeting was arranged, and after much negotiation she persuaded Monsieur Pernet-Ducher to name a rose of his choice after her. In the spring of 1890 the new rose made its premiere at the salon's fashion shows in London and Paris. The rose was an instant success and was all the rage with her rich and famous clients.

Now over one hundred years on, there are few rivals, even from some very fine modern creations. This rose in full bloom is a startling spectacle. If you get the chance, visit Knockcree and meet Madame Testout for yourself.

In 1817 on Isle de Bourbon, an island in the South Indian Ocean today known as Reunion, a chance natural crossing of a China rose Old Blush with a Damask rose Quatre Saisons resulted in the start of a new race of roses collectively known as the Bourbons. The next two roses belong to this group. The first is Souvenir de St Anne's, named after Lord and Lady Ardilaun's famous garden at Clontarf in Dublin. Today it's one of Europe's greatest rose gardens, lovingly cared for by Dublin Corporation and well worth a visit during the summer.

2. Souvenir de St Annes

Souvenir de St Anne's was discovered growing as a sport on a bush of another celebrated rose, Souvenir de la Malmason. It was spotted by the head gardener, who had a keen eye for good plants. The rose was a great treasure of the garden and was watchfully guarded and protected by Lady Ardilaun, who was very reluctant to part with one of her treasures, but did so on condition that it was to be kept only by the recipient. In time a plant was passed on to Lady Moore, wife of Sir Frederick Moore, Director of the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Lady Moore was a renowned Irish gardener who grew the rose at Willbrook, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin. In the early 1950s Lady Moore gave the rose to Graham Thomas, and thanks to her this special Irish rose can be grown by you today. It grows to about a metre and a half in height and provides fragrant blossoms from May until early August. The semidouble blossoms are the colour of rich pink pearls, a beautiful shell pink colour that softly blends into cream.

3. Madame Isaac Pereire

The next Bourbon rose ranks highly among the most richly fragrant of all roses, Madame Isaac Pereire. I can only describe its fragrance as exquisitely sumptuous, reminiscent of a bowl of freshly picked sweet raspberries. The flowers are an example of full petalled perfection, enormous and cup-shaped. The colour is deep carmine pink, beautifully clouded with magenta. The first flush is in June and is followed in autumn by an even better display. I think Madame Pereire likes the cool damp air of autumn. This rose will make a strong bush, but is equally good as a climber

Now for something completely different, an outstanding variety from the 1920s which evokes much of the spirit of that era. Dainty Bess is my favourite single hybrid tea. In full flower it is irresistible and supremely beautiful. The flowers start as shapely pointed buds and open to single five-petal flowers of a light silvery pink. The underside of each petal is soft carmine and the centre of the rose is crowned with a ring of purple/brown stamens. The overall effect is unbeatably refined.
The colour is delicate and soothing, reminding one of the colours you find in shell striped brocades and floral cottons. The flowers are borne singly or in clusters through out the summer. Ideally suited to the small garden, growing only about three feet high.

In 1994 the Hybrid Tea 'Just Joey' was voted the world's favourite rose. Firstly I must tell you Just Joey is perfectly suited to Irish weather conditions as the flowers stand up very well to all our rainy weather. The large flowers are a remarkable colour combination, copper, orange, pink fading to creamy orange. As the flower matures you will find the blush oranges you see inside seashells with the mellow glow of a Mediterranean sunset. Each petal has a beautiful wavy edge, set off by a deep purple toned leaf - the combination is memorable. It also makes a beautiful cut flower and it is widely available. Do try it.

The best white Floribunda you can grow has got to be 'Iceberg'. There have been many contenders for its throne but none have withstood the test of time. When I think of this outstanding white rose I think of the soft translucence of marble, the purity of its cool calm colour and the wonderful summer display it gives. Iceberg can be used with practically any other plant, its white flowers always adding a look of freshness, giving lift and spirit to the garden. Iceberg makes an impressive specimen growing to about four feet high It also looks good as a standard making an impressive centrepiece. Underplant this rose with a viola 'Molly Sanderson', which has pure coal black flowers. The contrast will impress.

Like me, you will appreciate a rose which is largely trouble-free and flowers dependably throughout the summer. This is the case for 'Trumpeter', a low-growing rose no more than two foot high, but what a performer! This bush produces a lavish display of abundant clusters, vibrant bright ruby red to crimson flowers, a sensational effect. I think red is the colour in the spectrum which draws the eye the most. Trumpeter does just that, and looks fantastic if grown in a container, portable colour which will add a blast of intensity to any part of your garden. If grown with purples or rich blues the contrast will be entrancing.

Keep black spot away and save a small fortune
Mix 3 level teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda with 1 teaspoon of soluble fertiliser and a tiny dash of washing-up liquid. Mix together with a little water and add to 1 gallon of water. Using a watering can, apply once a fortnight and your roses are guaranteed to be black spot free.

Read all about Dermot's favourite 200 roses in his latest book Roses Revealed