and there were about 4 totally expired blooms on the plant. Looking forward to more, but I spend most of my time elsewhere, so will miss many of them.

Its petals look velvety.

At my ex-mother-in-law's house in Iran, there was this very old rose bush which would get very large blooms of deep red with velvety petals and a very heady perfume. I have never found a rose quite like it here and would love ot have one in my garden.

did try to determine that, last year. Came up with possibilities, such as http://rosesingardens.blogspot.com/2008/06/papa-meilland-worlds-most-fragrant-red.html

Your ex-mother-in-law's sounds quite similar.

3" across now.

gave was for a tea rose. It does have similar color and texture.

from the write-up, the size of the Papa Meilland's blossoms. It mentions ' It is one of the 3 great ultra fragrant red hybrid teas that came from crossing the 2 roses; Chrysler Imperial and Charles Mallerin. (The other 2 are: Oklahoma and Mister Lincoln). All 3 have become among the worlds most popular red hybrid teas, loved for their outstanding fragrance and deep rich velvety red color. '

The photo is beautiful. Wish that you could post the scent. I am so disappointed in most roses these days that have no scent at all. I love me some fragrant flowers!!!

Remember Pond's face cream??? Same!

I would take a cutting from it and propagate it in my garden.

never managed it, and now that I'm in the cottage where there are LOTS of critters, I'm not sure I could find a safe place for it. ALSO, I noticed holes in the leaves, and it and its neighbors are looking kind of buggy, so not sure how successful propagating would be. Will keep thinking of it.

Thanks