At Highgarden Roses, we believe fragrance is the soul of a rose—its invisible poetry. From sparkling citrus to velvety florals, a beautifully scented rose doesn’t just bloom—it captivates. We've handpicked twenty of the most enchanting and rare fragrant roses in the world, each chosen for its ability to stir the senses and elevate everyday moments into something truly memorable.
1. Gabriel
Bred in Japan by Junko Kawamoto and introduced in 2008, Gabriel is cherished for its serene beauty and strong, uplifting fragrance. The blooms are pure white with a soft lavender center, opening in a compact, cupped formation that resembles a chalice. Petals are layered and orderly, giving each flower a sculpted, ethereal look.
Its scent is refined yet intense—a fresh, citrus-laced perfume with strong notes of lemon and old rose. At peak bloom, its fragrance easily fills the surrounding air or an indoor space when cut. Each flower measures 2.5–3 inches, and the plant blooms generously across multiple seasons.
2. Double Delight
A true classic. Double Delight opens with creamy petals edged in strawberry red. As the bloom matures, the crimson deepens and the fragrance intensifies. Its strong, fruity-spice scent has earned it top international awards, including the AARS and Geneva Fragrance Prize.
3. Masora
Golden apricot in color, Masora is a Japanese rose bred by Sadazō Yoshiike and known for its bright, citrusy fragrance with undertones of fruit and tea. A descendant of David Austin’s legacy and Harkness’s Amber Queen, Masora blends the best of English and hybrid tea breeding.
The scent is uplifting and clean—like lemon zest overlaid with fresh rose petals. Compact and continually blooming, it earned the 2009 Gold Medal for fragrance at the Nagaoka International Rose Competition. Ideal for home gardens, it combines refined form with unforgettable perfume.
4. Yves Roses (Yves Piaget & Series)
The Yves collection began with Yves Piaget, a peony-like rose bred by Meilland in France. Named after the famed luxury house, this rose features blooms averaging 5 inches in size, densely packed with petals and exuding an intense Damask fragrance—strong, heady, and unmistakable.
Despite its rich scent and bold flower size, Yves Piaget is known to have somewhat weaker disease resistance and vitality, traits occasionally passed down to its Japanese derivatives. Still, it remains a cornerstone of fragrance-focused gardens and has earned top accolades:
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1982 Fragrance Award, Paris Rose Competition
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1986 Best Fragrance, Ireland Rose Trials
Today, the Yves series includes:
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Yves L’esprit de Fille: ivory outer petals and soft pink centers; citrus-rose scent
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Yves Wedding Road: pure white, perfectly cupped, with an intense myrrh fragrance
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Yves Brown and Yves Wishing: elegant variants with unique coloring and soft, warm scents
Yves roses are renowned for their high petal count, intoxicating perfume, and romantic aesthetic.
5. Libellula
A lavender-toned rose with gently ruffled petals, Libellula is compact but incredibly floriferous. Its blooms carry a strong, invigorating scent of lemon blended with antique rose—a sophisticated, refreshing perfume. Ideal for pots and small garden spaces.
6. Pompadour
Named after Madame de Pompadour—the famed mistress of Louis XV and a pioneer of the Rococo style—this French rose embodies Versailles-era opulence. Bred by Delbard, Pompadour produces large blooms over 4 inches wide, with lush, four-quarter classical form that looks plucked straight from a baroque still life.
The fragrance is as layered as its history: nectarine, white peach, Damask rose, violet, citrus, and lime—a sweet, floral-citrus blend that evolves as the bloom matures. The rose earned a Silver Medal for fragrance at the 2011 Nagaoka International Rose Competition.
This compact shrub grows to about 32–40 inches and flourishes in both pots and garden beds. With excellent disease resistance, winter hardiness, and fast growth, Pompadour is a brilliant choice for gardeners seeking fragrance, elegance, and ease in one stunning rose.
7. Bolero
A French rose bred by Meilland, Bolero is beloved for its compact form, pure white blooms with hints of soft pink or green, and strong fragrance. The 5-inch flowers are fully double and densely packed, with a fragrance that blends traditional rose and ripe fruit.
Its strong upright growth, high petal count, and continuous blooming habit make it a versatile favorite for containers and garden beds alike.
8. Jude the Obscure (AUSjo)
One of the most fragrant roses from David Austin, Jude the Obscure is renowned for its fruity perfume reminiscent of guava and sweet white wine. The blooms are large, chalice-shaped, and apricot-cream in color, with a generous repeat throughout the season.
Its unique fragrance profile and romantic shape have made it a best-seller among fragrance lovers.
9. Sheherazad
A deeply saturated violet-rose bred in Japan, Sheherazad offers a scent as exotic as its name—a rich blend of damask, myrrh, and citrus. Its intricate, many-petaled blooms evoke the tales of a thousand and one nights.
Hardy, floriferous, and deeply aromatic, it’s a must for collectors of rare and enchanting roses.
10. Evelyn (AUSsaucer)
From David Austin, Evelyn rose is a legendary name among perfume lovers, famously inspiring the signature scent for Crabtree & Evelyn. Her peach-blush petals form luxurious 4.5–5 inch rosettes, and her perfume is unforgettable—a radiant mix of apricot, citrus, and myrrh.
Though no longer in active production, Evelyn’s perfume lives on in the hearts of fragrance connoisseurs. For those lucky enough to grow her, she is the very definition of elegance and scent.
11. Autumn Rouge
Deep crimson and full of drama, Autumn Rouge offers a captivating blend of myrrh and red fruit, filling the air with its sultry perfume. A Japanese-bred rose, it blooms generously on upright stems, with excellent disease resistance and vase life.
Its vivid hue and complex scent make it a standout in both the garden and the cutting vase.
12. Augusta Louise
One of the most flamboyant roses in color and perfume, Augusta Louise was bred by Tantau in Germany. Her large, 3.5–5 inch blooms swirl with vibrant shades of peach, pink, and champagne, fading to salmon as they mature.
The scent is incredibly opulent—an intense burst of ripe fruit layered with honeyed citrus and rose petals. A true nostalgic beauty, she was awarded top fragrance prizes in both the U.S. and New Zealand. An unforgettable rose with garden presence and a perfume fit for royalty.
13. Jeanne Moreau
From Meilland of France, Jeanne Moreau is a white rose named after the legendary French actress. Her blooms are large, lush, and old-fashioned in form, with an exquisite lemon-rose fragrance laced with mint and musk.
An award winner at Geneva and Saverne, this variety brings both starlet glamour and powerful perfume to your garden. With excellent vase life and disease resistance, she's as elegant as she is fragrant.
14. Schöne Maid (Beautiful Maiden)
This German rose by Tantau lives up to her name with soft pink blooms and a heart-stealing scent. Measuring around 4–5 inches, the flowers are cupped, petal-rich, and beautifully formed.
Her fragrance is fresh, fruity, and floral—like a bowl of ripe citrus and berries wrapped in rose petals. Exceptionally resistant to black spot and powdery mildew, she’s a romantic favorite for both beginners and connoisseurs.
15. Rouge Royale
Rouge Royale is one of the few red roses that combines regal color with a heady scent. Bred by Meilland, this deep crimson beauty exudes a rich blend of Damask rose, myrrh, and dark fruit, lingering in the air like a classic perfume.
Each stem bears multiple buds, and the blooms open slowly, releasing waves of fragrance. It’s an ideal choice for both cutting and display.
16. La Rose de Molinard
Also known as Parfum de Paris, this rose from Delbard was named after the famed French perfumery Molinard. The perfume is just as sophisticated—a radiant blend of linden blossom, violet, grapefruit, rose, and iris.
Awarded for fragrance in Japan, it’s one of the few that truly mimics fine perfume. The blooms are lush, repeat freely, and the plant is exceptionally healthy and winter-hardy.
17. Chippendale (Duchess of Cornwall)
With a name that nods to both British royalty and elegant design, Chippendale offers fragrant, ruffled blooms in shades of apricot and coral. Her perfume is surprisingly strong—a juicy medley of peach, mango, and citrus.
This compact rose is loved not just for its shape and color, but for the energy it brings to garden beds and bouquets alike.
18. Nahema
Named after Guerlain’s famous fragrance, Nahema is a French climbing rose bred by Delbard. Her pale pink blooms spiral open with old-world elegance, exhaling an intoxicating perfume of peach, apricot, lemon, rose, and pear.
With her exceptional resistance to heat and shade, she’s a top choice for walls, arches, and trellises that need both coverage and perfume.
19. Pink Blush
A modern Chinese variety by Jiang Zhengzhi, Pink Blush features traditional hybrid tea form with a romantic twist—a full-bodied perfume blending myrrh and Damask rose. The blooms are medium-pink, high-centered, and come generously in flushes.
It’s a hardy, vigorous shrub ideal for gardeners seeking fragrance with contemporary charm.
20. Herzogin Christiana
Also known as Earth Angel in the U.S., this Kordes rose is a soft blushing cream in color with densely packed, antique-style petals. Her fragrance is a sweet, complex blend of apple, lemon, and soft rose, making her one of the most beloved new introductions for scent.
Highly disease resistant, heat tolerant, and visually romantic, she brings perfume, charm, and ease to any rose lover’s collection.
These twenty roses are more than just garden treasures—they are nature’s finest perfumers. Whether you’re creating a fragrant cutting garden, a romantic backyard oasis, or your own private perfume paradise, Highgarden Roses is proud to help you grow beauty by the stem.
