Do you know the name of the first rose developed by the Jackson & Perkins?
In 1882, Charles Perkins became fascinated with rose propagation.  In 1884, he hired Alvin Miller as foreman of his newly evolving rose business.  Miller, a hybridizer, was given the task of developing a new rose for the consumer market.  To this time, few roses were grown by Americans in their home gardens.  The first Jackson & Perkins rose was introduced in 1901, and was named the 'Dorothy Perkins' rose after Charles Perkins' granddaughter. This lovely rose is a climbing rose that boasts small soft-pink, lightly scented clusters of roses.  
In 1908 the 'Dorothy Perkins' rose won top honors at the Royal National Rose Society.

Today, the 'Dorothy Perkins' rose is no longer sold on the commercial market and is only found in established gardens around the world and including the gardens at Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast.  Come stay at the original home of Jackson & Perkins now know as Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast and see if you can find it among the more than 250 roses in our gardens!  You can also see a photo of Dorothy Perkins as a child holding the prized roses. 
Yet, another tid bit of historic information.  Garlands of this sweet rose were used when Dorothy Perkins married.  She was wed in the Winter!