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Louise Odier is a Bourbon rose bred in 1851, and joins Zephirine Drouhin as my second old-garden rose. It is a very vigorous bush that has shot up to more than three feet so far in this, its first season. The blossoms are clustered, and have a very strong old-rose fragrance. Here's a shot of the entire shrub in the spring of 1998, it's first season.
It's now 1999, and Louise Odier is covered with buds about to burst forth -- it clearly wants to take first place this year
Although Golden Showers took honors as the first to bloom in 1999, Louise Odier followed a couple of days later, once again overwhelming the senses with color, form, and scent.
Judging by the number and size of the buds, Louise Odier is about to put on an unbelievable show -- May, 2000.
There really aren't enough superlatives for me to use about this rose!
It's the second week of June, and Louise Odier is still into it's incredible first flush!
It's July the Fourth, and Louise Odier is putting on another show. This is one rose that seldom disappoints!
It's now May, 2001, and the first of the hundreds of buds on Louise Odier have opened, revealing the wonderful blossoms with overpowering damask fragrance.
Louise Odier is getting ready to put on a spectacular show -- May, 2002.
And, here we go!
When this lady puts on a show, no one can go past without stopping to watch!
On the last day of May, 2003, Louise Odier has begun to open the first of quite literally hundreds of buds.
Louise Odier has provided a few blooms in a second flush at the end of July.
It's the thirteenth of May, 2004; Louise Odier has provided us with the very first rose of the season. After the disasterous winter, its color and exquisite fragrance are more than welcome!
A few days later and more buds are opening; there are hundreds to go!
It's now early August; the summer has been cool and very wet and the roses haven't appreciated it. Some, however, are once again in bloom.
May 19, 2005 brought us the first rose of the year, from Louise Odier, and it's a beauty in both form and fragrance.
It's Memorial Day and Louise Odier is really starting into its spring flush.
It's now July 1st. The first flush is past but Louise Odier will continue to put forth blooms all through the summer.
It's now 12 May 2006 and Louise Odier has opened the first of hundreds of large fat buds that promise quite the spectacle.
And just one day later ....
As you can see in this photo, with the hundreds of blooms already on the bush, the first flush is nowhere near over!
It's mid-June; Louise Odier has been in continuous bloom for one solid month and is finally starting to taper down. Today I gave her a good pruning and deadheading, but she's still producing blossoms like this.
After more than five weeks, torrential rains, and a very heavy pruning, Louise Odier doesn't want to quit!
It's July 1st and Louise Odier has opened a beautiful blossom to welcome the new month.
Fourth of July and we have a few more sweet smelling blossoms.
One week later ....
We're getting toward late August and Louise Odier surprised me this fine Sunday morning with a couple of very fragrant, gorgeous blossoms.
The last flowers were in August; it's now late November and while Louise Odier has no flowers for us, she does have other things of visual interest!
The fourth week of April 2007 brings us the first rosebud of the year. Once again, it's Louise Odier to take that honor.
Fast forward to the third week of May and the buds are beginning to open.
15 May and the bud has opened, giving us our first rose of the year!
One day later and we have many more buds opening. It's a shame you can't experience the wonderful fragrance!
May 20th brings more blooms as the hundreds of buds begin to open in earnest.
Remember all those buds I mentioned?
Having rested, Louise Odier is once again opening buds in early July.
It's mid July and Louise Odier appears to be in a mini-flush.
It's now September and even Louise Odier had to get into the act by opening a few exquisite blossoms.
Late September brings another bloom.
It's mid-April 2008 and Louise Odier has tied with Zephirine Drouhin for the honor of the first rosebud of the year.
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