The main picture is of a rose circa pre-1500 with several names, but known these days mainly as Rosa Alba Maxima. Also called 'Great Double White', 'The Jacobite Rose' and 'Cheshire Rose' The bush grows to 8 ft (2.4 metres tall) and the flowers are 3-4 in (8-10 cms) with a lovely fragrance.

Here's a modern hybrid tea from 1975 - it hails from New Zealand and we call it "Madam President". Its a great little rose, rarely without blooms and there's a slight whiff of perfume.