Dainty Bess was bred by William Archer in the UK in 1925. He crossed Ophelia and Kitchener of Khartoum to create this beautiful single rose (5-8 petals). Mr. Archer named the rose for his wife, Elizabeth.
Dainty Bess has large, elegant single blooms of soft rose pink with prominent maroon stamens. The blooms are produced in small clusters and have a moderate tea fragrance.
Dainty Bess and Crepe Myrtle. Photo by Sandra Turner
Dainty Bess has vigorous, upright growth with deep green leathery foliage. Height 1.2m to 1.5m tall and 0.6m to 1.2m wide. It responds well to a light pruning and will repeat flower well.
There is also a climbing sport of Dainty Bess (introduced in 1935). This tends not to be so floriferous.
Available from Wagner’s Rose Nursery, South Australia.
For more information:
Rose Society
www.sarose.org.au