Introduced by R. Harkness & Co. in 1984, the International Herald Tribune rose carries one of the more complex pedigrees in the shrub rose world, descending through Blue Moon, Lilac Charm, Sterling Silver, and Rosa californica among others. The result is a 3 to 4 foot shrub with cupped, lightly fragrant blooms in a soft mauve-to-mauve blend with yellow centers, a color combination that reads as quiet and sophisticated rather than showy. The flowers appear in clusters beginning in spring and continue in flushes throughout the season, earning their place in a border that favors the unconventional.

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and prune in late winter to remove dead or diseased canes before cutting the remaining growth back by a third. Avoid overhead watering and overcrowding to reduce the risk of black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Hardy in zones 6 through 8, it suits the cottage garden or an English-style planting where its muted tones will complement lavender, salvia, and silver-leaved companions.