Nancy Hayward

Nancy Hayward, Alistair Clark 1939

Hybrid Gigantea 

Jessie Clark X unknown seedling 

Normally we only see Gigantea hybrids in pale colors but this stunning Nancy Hayward is a true exception to the rule... 

Cerise 🍒 Pink, aging to carmine, very large, single flowers in small clusters with a moderate fragrance. Typical Gigantea buds: Long and pointed. Nancy blooms freely throughout the season. 

For a Gigantea Nancy is rather short but she easily get 300 cm or 9 feet, maybe a bit taller.

Zone 6b to 10b and very healthy. Heat and drought tolerant 

It's time to rediscover Alistair's legacy as big parts of Europe, USA etc are warming up and in need of heat and drought resistant roses. Together with Viru and Girija Viraraghavan, Alistair Clark was a visionary and we need their expertise now more than ever 

Lorraine Lee

Lorraine Lee, Alister Clark 1924

Climbing Tea / Hybrid Gigantea 

Jessie Clark X Capitaine Millet

Australia's favorite rose is also from the greatest Australian rose breeder Alister Clark. But I like chauvinism if it's well deserved and with Lorraine Lee it's certainly the case.

Big pink with peach and apricot shading HT flowers with a superb strong fragrance. Very vigorous and Perpetual blooming. 

300X200 cm or 9X6 feet. No other Australian rose blooms that early and that long. Zone 6b to 10b. Heat and rain tolerant

There is a climbing version which is even more vigorous. 

Highly recommended rose 

Sakura Sunset

Sakura Sunset, Viru & Girija Viraraghavan, 2015

Hybrid Gigantea, Large flowering climber 

Pink, yellow center, pink reverse, double blooms borne mostly solitary. Tall upright, climbing up to 4 meters or 13 feet. Dark green glossy foliage. 

Can be used for obelisk, arches etc... 

Moderate fragrance. Zone 7 to 11. Flushes freely throughout the season. 

Remembering Cochet

Remembering Cochet, Viru & Girija Viraraghavan 2010

Tea 

Seed: Rêve d'or 

Pollen: Carmosine X R. Gigantea 

I had to grasp for breath when I saw this rose for the first time. For me this is the quintessential type of bloom. Teas are my favorite roses. Breeding new Teas in these modern times is nothing more than an epic achievement.

White to cream, very full, globular blooms. Good as exhibition and cut rose. Moderate fragrance. Makes a nice shrub of 120 cm or 4 feet. Continuously blooming. Healthy and reliable. Zone 7 to 11

I think it's Viru and Girija's most marvelous creation! 

Cochet would be proud! 

Rebecca's choice

Rebecca's choice, Viru & Girija Viraraghavan before 2012

Mrs B.R. Cant X R. Gigantea

Soft light pink big single petals (4“ or 12 cm). Beautiful yellow stamens. Moderate fragrance. Climber, can reach 300 cm or 9 feet. Zone 7 to 11. Healthy and reliable

Lady Jane Hooker

Lady Jane Hooker, Viru & Girija Viraraghavan before 2011

Hybrid Gigantea, species cross 

Seed from R. Longicuspis X R. Gigantea

Large (10+ cm or 3,5 inch) white, single blooms in clusters. Strong, delicious perfume carrying through the air. 

Viru and Girija about this rose:

"When we went to South Africa in 2001 we stayed at ‘Elgin’, the beautiful home and garden of Barbara and Peter Knox Shaw. They had a huge climbing plant of R. longicuspis x R.gigantea. We brought back seeds and sprouted them. One took well and grew, and we planted it in a corner of the garden near some pines, ‘shola’ (indigeneous trees) and erythrina indica trees. In a few years the plant had completely covered the trees which are about 30 feet high and when in bloom, an incredible sight of clusters of white blooms and a lovely fragrance wafting in the air.

In 2018, when it was in full bloom we had a visit by Lady Jane nee Hooker ( married name Lady Jane Barran ) ( she is a great niece of Sir J.D.Hooker, the very well known 19th century plant botanist and explorer) who had brought a group of 12 plant lovers to visit gardens in south India. Lady Jane fell in love with this plant, so we decided to name it for her."

Height: Up to 800 cm or 24 feet, vigorous but few red thorns. Large glossy dark green foliage 

Pictures are from Helpmefind and are from Viru and Girija themselves 

Maebara's dream

Maebara's dream, Viru & Girija Viraraghavan 2013 

Hybrid Gigantea 

Carmosine (HT) X R. Gigantea

A stunning, extremely elegant Gigantea Hybrid. Apricot or apricot blend petals. Very large, very double with a moderate fragrance. Opening in typical Tea style. The summum of rose elegance.

Height: up to 300 cm or 9 feet. Can be used for obelisks, pyramids etc. Zone 7b to 11b.

A masterpiece from Viru and Girija, highly recommended if you can get hold of it!