Expert: Long Island Gardener - 10/12/2006

Question
is a scarlet carson a real name of a rose?

Answer
You are asking about the fictitious Scarlet Carson rose made famous in a science fiction story called "V for Vendetta"?

The movie alludes to this fictitious rose.  The plot in the book, however, changes the name from Scarlet Carson to a rose introduced by the prolific breeder Sam McGredy in 1964: Violet Carson.

To publicize his film, the producer issued a press release about the futuristic plot, and described your relevant Rosebush thusly: "In the midst of his quest to free the people of England from their fascist leaders, V is on a very personal mission to wreak vengeance on those who imprisoned and tortured him, and in doing so, created a monster. One by one he is systematically eliminating these enemies, leaving a single Violet Carson rose as his calling card at the scene of each murder."

Note the producer's own reference to a Violet Carson rose.  It is my understanding - without having watched the movie - that the rose in his own movie is called Scarlet Carson.  This was actually a point of criticism by some who felt that a movie with a hero named V ought to retain a rose that began with a V as well.  An on-line discussion board debates the pro's and con's of each (politedissent.com/archives/1171).

In real life, "Violet Carson" is a very fragrant, melon/pink double Floribunda.  Since it's off patent now, it is highly likely you will be able to find it in the bareroot $2.99 bargains section at Home Depot next spring.

Scarlet Carson, however, has not yet been invented.  What was that they used to say about a Rose by any other name...?