The rose only appears black to the naked eye in bud stage, though there is some dark
velvety blackish red evident on the reverse of the petals when they bloom . Unfortunately one expects
a red rose to have fragrance, but there is very little in this rose. It is an exquisite
red rose, but not that easy to grow - and there aren't lots of roses produced,
but useful to have one growing for cutting, as the blooms are long lasting,
and mine is well protected from the mid-day sun. Bred in France and release in 1973