Old Garden Rose – A Vintage Collection
The Old Garden Rose is an antique and is much sought after by rose lovers all over the world. The most popular varieties go back many centuries. They are known to be more disease-resistant and requiring lesser care than their modern counterparts. Mixing and matching the best varieties have, over the years, produced newer and even more famous hybrids. Here are some of the most-wanted varieties of the Old Garden Rose.
Alba Rose (Rosa canina + Rosa gallica), also known as ‘White Rose’, is best suited for climate zones 3-10. It can be trained to be a climber. It is highly disease-resistant and fairly easy to maintain. It has a dense but soft, blue-gray foliage, with pale blooms that flower on year-old wood. Konigin von Danemark (1826), Alba Semi-Plena (before 1867).
Ayrshire Rose (Rosa arvensis) is a climber and blooms once a year. It is also called ‘Field Rose’ and has vigorous growth when allowed to grow in the wild. It thrives in climate zones 5-10.
Boursault Rose does not have thorns and grows well even in poor soil. It was developed in France as a rambler and thrives in climate zones 6-9. These slightly fragrant, semi-doubled roses bloom just once a year.
Damask Rose (Rosa phoenica + Rosa Gallica) blooms repeatedly and has a very intense and high fragrance. They are small shrubs that grow up to 6’ in height with large foliage. The double or semi-double flowers are usually pink or white. These roses are ideal for potpourri and are used to create rose perfume attar. They grow best in climate zones 3-10. Leda (1827), Ispahan (before 1802).
Centifolia Rose (Rosa damascena + Rosa alba) was developed as a hybrid in the Netherlands and is commonly known as the ‘Cabbage Rose’ as it has more than one hundred petals. It survives the harshest of winters and stands 4-8 feet tall. It has thorny canes and very large and showy pink flowers that bloom once a year. It is ideal for climate zones 5-10. Cabbage Rose (1596) and Rose de Meaux (the dwarf centifolia) (1789).
Noisette Rose is the only class of roses that was developed in the United States of America. Large rambling shrubs produce long blooming and fragrant flowers in attractive clusters. They grow up to 20 feet and have pliable canes. The ideal climate zones for this variety are 7-9. Nastarana (1879) Marechal Niel (1864.)
Hybrid China Rose is a repeat bloomer and is suited to climate zones 7-10. It requires protection during winter months. The flowers are mostly fragrant and bloom in clusters on weak canes. They are small shrubs and stand 18 inches to 3 feet tall. Green Rose (1845) and Mutabilis (1896).
Bourbon Rose (Autumn Damask + China) is very fragrant and blooms repeatedly. It is said to be the first cultivated rose. It stands 2-15 feet tall and is ideal for hedges or as climbers. It blooms on old wood. The best climate zones for this rose are 5-9. Souvenir de la Malmaison (1843), Louise Odier (1851).
Portland Rose is supposed to have originated from Autumn Damask. It blooms repeatedly on short and compact plants that grow to a height of 4 feet. These double –rose flowers are fragrant and appear to be seated on the foliage. The Portland Rose has declined over the years and there are less than 20 available now. Comte de Chambord (1860), Rose du Roi (1815).
Get the #1 Secret to successful rose gardening
