In my garden, this shrub is a perfectly healthy rugosa that suffers no blackspot, mildew or rust. The flowers are extremely fragrant and on warm, still, sunny days the scent travels far. Japanese beetles are very fond of the blossoms. The petals, being thin, do not hold up well in rain.
--kbk 2003 May 30

"Blanc Double de Coubert covers itself in late May and early June with large, flat, paper-white flowers. The first blossoms have a lily-of-the-valley fragrance, later flowers have the true white-rose odor. This is one of the few roses which perfume the air at night. Foliage is perfect Rugosa but the variety is finicky as to environment and shows but slight reblooming tendency"
-- Neville F. Miller, Palmerton, Pennsylvania
    1950 American Rose Annual, pg 64

When I behold a radiant rose
    The Gates of Glory swing ajar
And through them--though they quickly close--
    I glimpse Perfection's glorious star.

--Ruby S.Morphy, 1950 American Rose Annual