Dave Candler , Preston, CT

'Sharifa Asma' is a David Austin English rose (ARS class: Modern Shrub) with massive fragrance!  It is a light pink (lp), with rounded buds opening to double blooms that are cupped at first then move to a rosette form. The rose blooms several times (almost continuously) from June to October, peaking in late June in my home state of Connecticut.  This marvelous rose was exhibited by Marci Martin in the 2006 Connecticut Rose Society rose show and won the Fragrance Contest.

The pink blush pales to near-translucent white at the edges of the bloom. The blooms delight with 55-90 fragrant petals.  The dark green foliage is semi-glossy and complements the delicate coloring of the blooms.

Since the bush is rather large, bushy and very upright, it should be planted at least 3' from other roses, preferably 4'.  It is shade tolerant, but as in all cases, more sun means a better plant and more blooms.  It grows to about 4 to 5 feet in Connecticut. 

It has been in general commerce since 1995, but was hybridized and introduced in 1989. I have not heard a report of a poor experience with it.  It is rated as a 7.9 (scale of 10) by ARS responders nationally.  This equates to "a very good rose".

Parentage: [Mary Rose x Admired Miranda]. Austin named this rose for a member of the Omani royal family.

The rose can be had, bare root,  from several on-line nurseries, from the Austin Nursery in Texas, and many local garden centers.

Fragrance descriptions from other folks:

Distinctive, beautiful and strong fragrance.
These roses have an intoxicating perfume of damask, laced with peaches and a touch of lemon.
Honey scent.

Everyone agrees that the fragrance is beautiful and strong!

 

Photo of Sharifa Asma courtesy Dave Candler