Ebb Tide is a floribunda bred by Tom Carruth for Weeks Roses, and it's one of the deepest purple roses you can grow. Deep purple buds open to smoky plum blooms, very full and old-fashioned in form, that reveal a small frill of yellow stamens once they're fully open. The fragrance is strong: sweet and spicy, with a pronounced clove scent. Flowers come in clusters in repeat waves all season. Because the buds in each cluster open at different times, one cut stem gives you a small bouquet. The plant is compact at about 60–90 cm, so it suits the front of a border or a container. Two things to know before buying: the colour changes with temperature, deepest in cool weather and more magenta in heat, and it's a modest grower that isn't as disease resistant as newer roses. Give it full sun and good air flow.

A deep purple floribunda with a strong clove scent.