Alba roses are known as the "White Roses of Shakespeare." Albas are noted for their soft scent, sparse prickles, and deep blue-green foliage. Albas often reach a height of 7-8 feet, making them the tallest of the old European garden roses. Contrary to what their name suggests, blooms range from white to medium-pink. All Albas are once-blooming in mid-summer. Because of their height and foliage color, they make good backdrops for other plants. Albas are some of the toughest roses, offering extreme cold-hardiness and tolerance of considerable neglect. Albas will produce some bloom in the shade. They seem to grow very well and happily along a north-facing wall under the dappled shade of tall trees.