Alfred Wargrave

In the novel Sad Cypress, Alfred James Wargrave of Emsworth, Berkshire, is a rose-grower and an expert witness for the defence in the trial agains Elinor Carlisle.

He testified that he went to Maidensford to examine a rose plant growing at the lodge at Hunterbury. The rose was of the variety Zephyrine Drouhin which is a climbing rose. It bears sweetly scented pink flowers but has no thorns. It would therefore be impossible for one to prick oneself on such a rose plant.