An old Climbing rose introduced by Busby in about 1910. Some books list it as a Shrub! A rampant Rosa gigantea hybrid that will grow to around 50 feet (16m) in height. Not very hardy. The single flower was photographed by Bill garant in his own garden at Aptos california, the other shots were taken at Eccleston Square London UK.
So many roses are baptized several times. ‘Follette’ has a few other names, most notably ‘La , ‘Senator La Follette’, ‘Senateur Lafollette’ and variations on those. It was hybridized by M. Busby, an English gardener in the employ of Lord Henry P. Brougham et Vaux, who maintained a Chateau Eleonore at Cannes, on the French Riviera. It is hybrid of Rosa gigantea . Busby also created two other gigantea hybrids, presumably lost to us now: ‘Kobe’ and ‘Eleonore’.
We have studied contemporary records to confirm that the name is simply ‘Follette’. When the hybridizer was asked what Tea rose was used in his cross, he refused to say. ‘To the end of his life, a friendly smile was his only answer to the question.’ Brougham kept the variety to himself for twenty years. There are several meanings in French to ‘Follette’, scatterbrained and the wanton one.
It will not be easy to establish the single name, but we at least will give it a try. The history of this rose is so tangled it is understandable that the name has had so many changes.
The color of the rose starts in the red, pointed bud; changes over the next few days to pink mixed with apricot, and finishes with blowsy pale, pink petals. It was introduced in 1910 though it was known in the collection of Lord Brougham for many years beforehand.
It flourishes in a Mediterranean climate but can be raised in cooler climates, even London.