Prosperity

Where to plant. In English cottage gardens; recommended for shady spots (one of the best roses for partial shade); as a hedge or a climber up to 3 m; in 'symbolic' corners of the garden — a symbol of prosperity and optimism.

Climate. All of Ukraine, no winter protection needed (USDA 5–9); tolerates summer heat, drought and poor soils well.

Care. Full sun or partial shade; minimal care — tolerates poor conditions; feed 1–2 times a season; prune by 1/4 in spring (Hybrid Musks do not like heavy pruning).

Name. 'Prosperity' — meaning 'prosperity'. A symbol of optimism during the post-war reconstruction after the First World War (1918). A typical Latin-literary name from Pemberton (like Pax, 'peace', Felicia, 'happy', Cornelia, Penelope). Pax (1918) and Prosperity (1919) form a 'peace–prosperity' pair, a deliberate Pemberton-series of post-war hope.

Breeding. Bred by Rev. Joseph Hardwick Pemberton at Havering-atte-Bower (Essex, Great Britain). Introduced 1919. Parentage: 'Marie-Jeanne' (Polyantha, Turbat 1913) × 'Perle des Jardins' (Tea, Levet 1874). Parentage from Polyantha and Tea gives a unique combination of massive clusters and fresh fragrance.

Significance. RHS Award of Garden Merit and Gold Medal RNRS 1919. One of the top-3 Pemberton roses (along with Pax 1918 and Penelope 1924). One of the best varieties for shady spots — recommended by the classics for partial-shade cottage corners. Massive dense clusters — the largest in the Pemberton family, a striking visual accent. Two-stage ornamental interest: purplish-bronze young leaves, dark green glossy mature leaves and pearly white flowers with yellow stamens. The scent is especially strong in the cool part of the day — good for morning and evening walks in the garden.