Newsletter (Apr 2022) Page(s) 8. No. 25.
Pat Toolan, Rose Rustling in the Barossa Valley
An unnamed suckering rose that has been found in numerous sites in the Valley is a real mystery. Known by the study name of “Gomersal Cemetery / Habermann Cemetery / Miss Reidel rose”, it grows to about one metre high with highly perfumed, old-rose scented, recurrent blooms which may be large and double or medium and semi double but with a great boss of yellow stamens. These are followed by pyriform orange-brown hips which contain numerous seeds. It is in the ‘La Reine’ [Laffay, 1842] family of roses of which there were hundreds of descendants. ‘La Reine’ is a seedling of the Hybrid Bourbon ‘William Jesse’ [Laffay, 1838] which figured in many of the early Australian nursery catalogues. ‘William Jesse’ and ‘La Reine’ were growing in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and were offered for sale through South Australian nurserymen, including the Evandale Nursery at Keyneton, near Angaston, which listed both in the 1860s.
Magazine (Mar 2021) Page(s) 19. Vol 43, No. 1. Includes photo(s).
Margaret Furness: So Many Pink-and-Silvers - a brief overview of found Hybrid Perpetuals at Renmark.
Gomersal”, a (relatively) common survivor in SA cemeteries, has fewer petals and may be a Damask Perpetual; it may be the same as “John Toll”.
p18. Photo. “Gomersal”. Fewer petals, sometimes button-eyed, more mauve. Sets decorative hips. Usually 1.2m but can throw out long arms
Magazine (2020) Page(s) 11. Vol 42, No. 4.
Pat Toolan, Perfumed Roses.
“Gomersal Cemetery”. A Hybrid Perpetual in the La Reine family, found in several Barossa Valley cemeteries and gardens. Mid to dark pink double flowers with its wonderful damask perfume. Easily grown from cuttings or suckers, and will stay compact but if given competition will grow to higher stature. Wonderful large orange hips filled with seeds after each flower.
Magazine (2020) Page(s) 50. Vol 42, No. 4.
Pat Toolan. Regional Report.
.....we reached the Habermann Cemetery..... The local Barossa found HP known as “Gomersal Cemetery” was also there, and on two graves at Krondorf Cemetery.
Magazine (2014) Page(s) 49. Vol 36, No. 2.
Pat Toolan. Barossa and Beyond Regional Report.
The 20 old roses which were planted in 2011 in the garden at the Tanunda Visitor Centre to enhance the early settlers' cottage have dwindled to three: ....and Gomersal Cemetery HP
Magazine (2013) Page(s) 37. Vol 35, No. 1.
Pat Toolan, Preloved Roses Become Today's Favourites.
One of the very first gardens I visited was Miss Hatch's Nuriootpa garden..... In Miss Hatch's garden was another rose which seems to be only found in the Barosssa Valley. It is sometimes called "Gomersal HP" found at Gomersal Cemetery, "Miss Hatch's Cabbage", Habermann Cemetery HP". The closest that we can find to an identification is that it seems to have 'La Reine' in its parentage.
Magazine (2012) Page(s) Cover. Vol 34, No. 3. Includes photo(s).
Front cover: "Gomersal". Hybrid Perpetual or Damask Perpetual, a common cemetery rose in SA. Mauve-pink, sometimes has a button eye, well-scented and repeats well. Produces red hips. It is low-growing and suckers on its own roots. Photo by Pat Toolan
Magazine (2012) Page(s) 48. Vol 34, No. 4. Includes photo(s).
(distance photo) Foregound rose is "Gomersal", DP or HP
Magazine (2011) Page(s) 47. Vol 33, No. 2.
Pat Toolan, Regional Report.
As there appeared to be a garden planned, hoping to have some input into the plants used I approached the [Tanunda] Council and was given permission to supply roses and plants which would complement the mid-1800s cottage. These have been planted and I look forward to seeing them prosper and commented on by visitors. Some of the roses used included: .... and "Gomersal Cemetery HP"
Magazine (2007) Page(s) 29. Vol 29, No. 3.
Margaret Furness and Pat Toolan. Some Roses in SA Through Californian Eyes.
It is of interest that the visitors hadn't seen some of the foundlings in our gardens before. In particular: ....and "Gomersal Cemetery HP"
