Rosa 'Frensham'

Rosa 'Frensham' is a dark red Floribunda rose cultivar, developed by Albert Norman in 1942 and introduced into Britain by Harkness Roses in 1946 as 'Frensham'. It was awarded the RNRS Gold Medal by the Royal National Rose Society in 1943.

Description

'Frensham' is a medium-sized, vigorous bushy floribunda rose, 4 ft in height, with a 3 ft plant spread. The rose has a medium semi-double bloom form with 2–3 in flowers, typically borne in clusters. 'Frensham' has a mild fragrance with a bloom color of dark red. The rose blooms in flushes from spring to fall. The foliage is dark green and shiny, and the plant has many thorns and prickles. 'Frensham' is susceptible to mildew.

History

'Frensham' was developed in 1942 by Albert Norman, who was a diamond cutter by profession and an amateur rose breeder. He was a family friend of Bill Harkness of Harkness Roses. Norman is also known for developing the roses 'Ena Harkness', 'Vera Dalton' and 'Anne Elizabeth'. He developed the rose through a combination of Rosa 'Edith Cavell' x. The new rose cultivar was introduced into Britain as "Frensham' by and Robert Harkness. 'Frensham' was used to develop the rose cultivar, Rosa 'Columbine'. The rose was awarded the RNRS Gold Medal in 1943.