La Passionata
 

This is possibly the best red rose I have grown. Like many of my
favourites, it wasn't an intended purchase. Picked it up on a whim from
Honeysuckle Cottage Nursery (Sydney, Australia) early in spring.

If you like big, fat, high cholesterol, long strong-stemmed red HT roses
that last well in the vase and have a scent to die for, add this to your
list (if you northerners can find it):

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=15453
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/d...l#LaPassionata

Helpmefind says that the average bloom is 8" wide. For me that's a
maximum, but I'm growing mine in a pot. It's still the biggest bloom I
grow - and I've grown other 'huge' reds like Mr Lincoln and Kentucky
Derby before this. Not a trace of untidiness about it, despite the size.