For of the Love of RED... Roses!!

It seems that people love or hate red roses. When I think of the quintessential rose, in my mind, it is always the classic, long stemmed red rose with high centered blooms, that was clinched in the mouths of men, while they danced the tango. It is also the rose that appeared in many Disney films or just represents romance... love. If you walked my garden, it would be obvious that I have a strong attraction to pink, however, red roses, especially the deep dark ones, will always have a place. While I have grown many red roses, the following are top performers in this hot desert. 

But first, the Honorable Mentions:

Crimson Bouquet - A clear bright red that does not fade and holds 
                                  its color
Veteran's Honor - beautiful red, classic hybrid tea form, however, 
                                it lacks fragrance
Chrysler Imperial - dark red, lovely fragrance, however, the 
                                  blooms are unremarkable
Europeana - Magnificent sprays of blooms, very healthy dark red 
                      rose
Altissimo - Vigorous, bright red, single petal climber
Black Magic - decent repeat, dark red blooms, the bush is stiff and 
                         upright ( good for formal gardens)
Orfeo - dark red climber, nice fragrance


Now, the Best:

Firefighter - Gorgeous dark red blooms on a fairly upright,  
                      virtually thornless shrub, with a strong old rose 
                      fragrance. 
                    

Oklahoma - Gorgeous deep red, sometimes burgundy blooms.

It also has a strong, old rose fragrance.

Francis Dubreuil/Barcelona - Beautiful cupped, dark red

              blooms  held near dark green leaves. It is moderately 

               fragrant.

Munstead Wood - Beautiful, old fashion blooms that are deep velvety purpley red. It has a strong old rose fragrance. Think  I have a theme going....

Nigrette - The plant and its form is nothing special thusfar, but it is less than a year old, so I am giving it time. Why is it on the list?? Nigrette is the deepest, darkest, red rose I have encountered. It does not turn purple, it is always dark red, like a Cabernet Sauvingnon. It is moderately fragrant.

Don Juan Cl. - This climbing rose is extremely heat tolerant. The blooms are dark red and fragrant!!