A Fragrant Rose for Light Shade? Yes, Really

May 7, 2025
Larry Hurley
Shrubs and Trees
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Darlows Enigma Rose in Larry Hurley Bethesda Maryland Yard

I don’t only grow perennials. I actually had a rose in my Maryland garden as well. I was looking for a rose that was somewhat shade tolerant, and in 2008 I ordered a rambling rose named ‘Darlow’s Enigma’ from Dan Hinkley’s Heronswood in Washington state. Heronswood Garden remains as a public garden, but the mail order business is closed. The rose is available from various internet specialty growers, though.

The things I liked about it– it tolerated shade, as I mentioned. Not “under a pine tree shade”, but “gets a few hours of sun” shade. I expect it blooms better and longer in full sun; for me it bloomed for about three weeks if I recall correctly. It never had any disease problems, I never had to spray it for blackspot, mildew, or rust. It was extremely fragrant. Fragrant from a distance. It was still thriving when we sold the house in 2021 and moved to Wisconsin, so I had it for 13 years. I’m sure it’s still blooming nicely each year for the folks that bought the house. (Unless they put in a pickleball court or something like that.)

I did have to stake it to keep it upright and confined to the area I wanted to fill, and I would prune each year to remove old canes and some excess blood, thanks to the thorns. If you are looking for a nicely fragrant, pretty low-maintenance shrub, check this one out. Wear long sleeves.

Carol Allen and Stephanie at Thanksgiving Farms — Darlows Enigma Rose bloom in Larry Hurley Bethesda Maryland Yard

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.