Francis Dubreuil in commerce

The original Francis Dubreuil was bred by Dubreuil in 1894. It was a slender, twiggy, rather little shrub. It could reach 100X100 cm or 3X3 feet and was ideal for pots.

The rose had stunning dark red, double flowers with the typical nodding head of the Teas. It had no fragrance. 

We have records of the rose till 1910 and after that the rose disappeared completely from the grid... till she emerged in the late seventies/early eighties at Sangerhausen. Peter Beales distributed this rose internationally to nearly every nursery. But there was a problem: The rose didn't match the early catalog descriptions. The Sangerhausen Francis Dubreuil had typical HT, almost HP foliage, the flowers didn't have the weak neck syndrome and they were extremely fragrant while the original rose didn't have scent. This Francis looked like Papa Meilland, Oklahoma, Mister Lincoln and others. The only two matching features were dark red color and fit for pots. This wasn't the real Francis Dubreuil...

Today this imposter rose is sold in many many nurseries and still as Francis Dubreuil but the discussion of which rose it actually is keeps raging on. Some say it's Barcelona from Kordes, a HT from the thirties but others don't agree. In the meantime the original Francis didn't re emerged so it's reasonable to say the rose has become extinct and is lost to us... 

Although the current Francis is an imposter it's still a very appealing rose with incredible fragrance. She needs lots of TLC so a lot of manure, water and fertilizer. Put it in a pot in partial shade to protect the beautiful flowers from burning. 

Zone 6b to 9b, rain tolerant. Doesn't like full afternoon sun and also she's isn't drought resistant.

If you love the very fragrant deep red HT's from the past you'll definitely like this rose