Cochrane and Passmore in their book, The Rose, claim that Angel Face is  possibly the most popular flower in the world.   I don’t know about that.

The blooms are dark mauve/lavender that darken with ruby flushes towards the edge.  They have up to 40 ruffled petals, open with high centres and become cup-shaped as the firm petals reflex to show yellow stamen.  There is a strong, sweet lemon scent.

Angel Face grows in most climates and is popular worldwide, although it is reportedly better suited to warmer climates as plenty of sunshine is needed to bring out the beauty of the colour tones.  

The growth habit is low and rounded, that is, if you can get yours to grow at all.  My bush is barely 30 cm tall (notwithstanding the catalogue states it will grow to 1 metre) and very sickly.  It is, probably, my weakest bush.  It is just about the only bush  suffering from black spot at the moment.

Stirling Macoboy advises that Angel Face needs the best of care if it is to be an asset to the gardener.  He advises to give it fertiliser, keep it well watered and have a spray gun handy as it is susceptible to black spot.  Julia’s Rose is regularly labelled the most demanding of roses, but my Julia’s Rose is doing better than Angel Face.  James Young advises it is slow to establish.  It sure is.

I would only recommend it if you are a collector of mauve and/or ruffled roses and are prepared to pamper it.

Angel Face is a Floribunda rose.  It was bred by Swim, USA, and introduced in 1968.