There are many roses in Bermuda whose original names have been lost over time, though the roses themselves have found their place here with us and now bear names with local connections. These roses are known as Bermuda Mystery Roses and constitute a class of their own in the rose world. It was Peter Harkness, of Harkness Roses UK, who coined the phrase ‘Mystery’.
Some ‘Mysteries’ may be sports or seedlings of roses long established here. Others may have been imported to the island and their correct name forgotten. In many cases, their local names are derived from the owner of the garden or location where they were found on the island. Mindful of the history and resonance of these names, The Bermuda Rose Society takes great care in renaming these unknown roses, until all reasonable doubt has been removed.
These are some of our mystery roses:
Smith’s Parish This is a most interesting rose and a real mystery. It grows into a very big open bush of up to 6′ high with pale green, dainty foliage.
Buds are often pale with yellowish white and it produces small, cupped, cupped, semi-double flowers with red styles. Most of the 2″ blooms are white, but many bear a streak of vivid crimson or deep pink, and occasionally there is a rose that is half pink half white, and sometimes completely pink or red. These variations can be seen blooming simultaneously on the same bush, a really unforgettable sight. There is a fair amount of evidence to suggest ‘Smith’s Parish may be ‘Fortune’s Five Coloured Rose’. But until there is positive proof, we will continue to call it by its found name.
Vincent Godsiff Another of the “Mystery” roses which is undoubtedly a china as it has all of the characteristics of the class. It was found growing in Vincent Godsiff’s garden at Fairhaven on the east side of Point Finger Rd, Paget. Previously, the property had been owned by William Stanley Doe, a florist. The house has been renamed Dunrossil House and is now the headquarters of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade.
The small, compact, upright bush reaches a height of about 3′ with dark green small to medium leaves. The flowers are cupped and semi-double, a deep vivid pinky-red, having an almost luminous quality about 2″ across. It blooms all year long, singly or in small clusters and sets small orange hips. The stems are very prickly and not very sturdy.
St. David’s This ‘Mystery’ rose was found growing on St. David’s Island. It is believed to be a China, either a seedling or a sport. It grows up to 4 ft tall and is very similar to the China Fabvier.
Emmie Gray At one time thought to be ‘Sanguinea’ or ‘Miss Lowe’s Variety,’ this rose though obviously a China, has been moved to the ‘Mystery’ class. Emmie Gray, from whose garden it came, was a teacher at the Bermuda High School for Girls for more than 30 years. Vigorous and upright in habit, the bush can grow to 8′ tall. The slender dark leaves are very finely serrated and stems are delicate. Pink buds with foliated sepals open to single 1 1/2″ bright pink flowers, with a darker colour towards the prominent yellow stamens. As the flowers age, the colour deepens to a rich crimson. Always in bloom, the flower closes at night. ‘Emmie Gray’ produces lovely oval hips.
