Duftwicke 'Elegant Ladies'

The pastel shades absolutely pop in my garden, and the fragrance is so strong I can smell them from my back door. Even as small-flowered heirlooms, each bloom has an elegant charm that makes a gorgeous cut bouquet.

I’ve been growing these for a few weeks now, and the pastel blooms are even more delicate than the photos suggested. The fragrance fills my whole garden in the late afternoon—exactly what I hoped for from a classic Grandiflora.

The packet lists them as heirloom Grandiflora types with 16th-century roots, which got me curious, and they didn’t disappoint. Those small pastel blooms are delicate up close, but the scent hits you from across the garden—stronger than any modern hybrid I’ve tried.