Marijke Koopman is one difficult name to pronounce but one fabulous rose to grow. Pronounced “Mah - RYE - kuh” this classy lady was introduced to the rose world in 1979. It has been finding homes in Pacific Northwest gardens ever since.

Hybridized by Gareth Fryer, Marijke Koopman is arguably the best pink hybrid tea to grow on the coast. Since the demise of Edmunds Roses in Wilsonville last year, Marijke Koopman may become an extremely difficult rose to find. However, it is well worth the effort to look for it.

Gareth Fryer roses are known to grow and bloom better in the Pacific Northwest than in any other portion of the nation. The reason for that is that Fryer Roses is headquartered in the northern part of England, very near the border with Scotland. Weather there can sometimes be very fierce. Fryer prides himself on hybridizing roses that can withstand wind, rain, cold, sleet and snow - and still continue to grow, thrive and bloom. However, Fryer now only allows one nursery, Pickering, in Canada to sell his roses. Even at that, Fryer allows very few of his newest roses to come across the Atlantic.

This pink rose features long, pointed deep-pink buds that unfurl to reveal loosely double, high-centered blooms that are easily 4 to 5 inches across. Most of the time blooms are a clear shade of medium to deep pink. Occasionally, blooms will feature a coral to orange color surrounding the stamens. Some growers report that it has an intense fragrance. Others note no fragrance at all.

Most of the time, Marijke Koopman will bloom singly on long stems perfect for cutting. Without disbudding, it will often bloom in clusters of three or four blooms. It has 25 petals so it does very well in our cooler climate. The foliage is dark and leathery, making it perfect for discouraging common rose diseases from taking hold.

It grows quite upright and can reach 6 feet tall by the end of summer. It has somewhat of a stiff growth habit and usually grows no wider than 2 to 3 feet. It looks best planted in groups of three or more, but even a single bush can add a bit of striking color to the rose garden.

Almost all of the Fryer roses are standouts in the garden. Sunset Celebration is another Gareth Fryer rose which does very well on the coast. Others are harder to find but Pickering Nursery does ship roses to the United States so it might be worthwhile to request a catalog from the Canadian firm.

(Corinne Clifton lives near Bandon and grows more than 200 kinds of roses.)