Q: Where can I get roses that actually smell like roses? I am tired of smelling nothing! Why do growers breed the fragrance out of roses?

A: Rosarian Jim Kelley says the rose breeders do not intentionally “breed out” fragrance. But one of the unfortunate byproducts of hybridizing for the perfect tea rose is that for some reason fragrance is diminished. By and large, roses with the best fragrance are the ones most susceptible to diseases and winter tenderness. It is not intentional, but your nose knows. I’ve collected a list of good roses for the South at Roses – Varieties for the South.