... 5) Marquise de Vivens, Th. (Dubreuil 86). Mein ganz specieller Liebling. Die Blüte geht zum Grunde hin vom leuchtendsten Rosa in weiss-rosa und schiesslich in gelb über. Sie ist sehr reichblühend und die Menge der etwas hangenden Blüten macht namentlich auf einem hohen Mittelstamm, einem überraschend reizenden Eindruck. Dabei wird der etwas an Veilchen erinnernde Duft an Feinheit wohl kaum vom Dufte einer andern Rose übertroffen. Sie ist nicht sehr frostempfindlich."
My translation:
Some Beautiful Roses for Open Ground.
... 5) Marquise de Vivens. Tea. (Dubreuil 86). My rather special favourite. The flower graduates from the brightest pink to white-pink and finally to yellow at the base. It is very free-flowering and the mass of somewhat nodding blooms makes a surprisingly charming impression especially on a tall standard. And the fragrance, somewhat reminiscent of violets, is hardly surpassed in refinement by any other rose. It is not very frost-sensitive.
[I think this is the only other reference to the violet scent apart from the Sangerhausen description.]
That's good to know that it can do well in dappled shade. I was thinking of trying this in a large decorative terracotta pot but in a position that wasn't the sunniest, so that information is useful. Thanks. I have violets like weeds too.
I do have 'Marquise de Vivens' (came as "Mrs Good's Special Tea") but my two own-root plants do not do well for me. (One in heavy dappled shade and a younger one in full sun.
[more nonsense deleted] .... Sorry to mess you around HubertG. Perhaps the time is getting closer for me to retire.
No matter, Patricia. I've decided I want to give "Mrs. Goode's Special Tea" a go anyway, if Thomas' have it in stock, even just for the fragrance alone.
Bonjour, Je suis journaliste à Feurs (Loire - France), ville où la marquise de Vivens avait son château. Je suis à la recherche pour une publication future de photographies récentes de la rose "Marquise de Vivens". Je suis aussi à la recherche de bouture (sans les feuilles) pour pouvoir la réimplanter en France, chez elle à Feurs. Merci pour l'aide que vous pouvez m'apporter. Sincères salutations. François Perrot
Good morning, I am a journalist in Feurs (Loire - France), city where the Marquise de Vivens had her castle. I am looking for a future publication of recent photographs of the rose "Marquise de Vivens". I am also looking for cuttings (without leaves) to be able to relocate it in France, at her home in Feurs. Thank you for your help. Best regards. François Perrot
If you send me a private message with your email address, I will send you some photos. It was listed in the 2020 catalogue of La Roseraie du Desert, which has changed hands and is much smaller. I hope someone who bought it from them can help you with plant material, as sending cuttings or budwood from Australia is very complicated and expensive.
I think it would be easier to contact the present owners of Roseraie du Desert, to ask whether they still have the rose. Later: PierreLaPierre kindly contacted them, and they replied that they don't have it. Perhaps you could try to contact John Hook, the original owner.
I've been in contact with Thomas for Roses. They still have this one, even though it isn't in their catalogue. They said they have never actually propagated it as there hasn't been any call for it, which I suppose is not surprising given how rare and comparatively unknown it is.
However, they're willing to have a go at it, so I've asked them to put me down for one. If anyone else is interested, this might be a good time to contact them.
Re the date of introduction of 'Marquise de Vivens', this rose was featured in the Journal des Roses November 1885, where the author of the text tells of how it was chosen as one of the best newcomers at an Exhibition in Lyon, June 3-7. Perhaps the reference to an 1888 date of introduction was a typesetter's error. The 3s, 5s and 8s can be tricky.
