Jude the Obscure

This is a David Austin English Rose. The bloom pictured here shows slight thrips damage as indicated by the brown edges on the petals. Jude the Obscure grows well in Lubbock, but it does best when shaded from three o'clock onward.

This own-root specimen was purchased from Heirloom Roses in St. Paul, Oregon. They describe Jude the Obscure in the following way. "Named for the 19th century novel by Thomas Hardy. When I first saw 'Jude the Obscure' bloom in our test and evaluation garden several years ago I knew it was going to be something special. I feel that in quality it ranks right up there with Mr. Austin's finest creations: 'Mary Rose', 'Graham Thomas', 'Heritage', 'Abraham Darby' (Louise suggests it will become one of the classics of the English Roses). Blessed with magnificent fragrance, 'Jude the Obscure' blooms are large, cupped, old-fashioned, and of the highest quality and beauty. A lovely shade of rich, soft apricot, the outer petals of the fully double blooms may show a blush of pale yellow. Very free flowering, the blooms are produced on a strong, vigorous, well-shaped bush with mid-green foliage. Has virtually no blackspot or mildew. It received the Corona Regina Teodelinda Perfume Award in Monza, Italy. Mr. Austin says "'Jude the Obscure' produces some of the most superb blooms you have ever seen" with the added benefit of its lovely, strong and unusual fragrance. We have a bed of 25 plants in our test garden that draws raves. Most outstanding."