Rosa 'Great Maiden's Blush'

'Great Maiden's Blush' is an old rose cultivar known since the 14th century. Like other Rosa × alba cultivars, it is very winter hardy, a tall shrub with arching branches, and the flowers are sweetly scented.

It blooms in spring only. The young buds tend to have a creamy yellow color on the outside. The flower petals are creamy-white or white in the bud, then pale pink, and finally fade again to white. It is not overly pricky, has relatively few thorns. It tolerates shade and it can be grown on or beside north-facing walls (in the northern hemisphere). It has enough strength and vigour that it can be used as a climber.

This cultivar is known by many other names, including 'Cuisse de Nymphe', 'Incarnata', 'Maiden's Blush' and 'Loyalist'.