ALL ABOUT ROSES
Old Garden Roses and 'Vintage' Roses
China Roses: The Rose That Began a Cultural Revolution
by Rhea Worrell
Rhea Worrell is a cyber-rosarian living in North Carolina. She is an avid gardener and an author of many fine articles on old garden roses.
Unlike R. gallica, R. centifolia and R. damascena, the first China roses brought to Britain were not species, but old, established hybrids. Those four forever changed the face of rose hybridizing in the West. They were: Slater's Crimson China in 1792, Parson's Pink China / Old Blush in 1793, Hume's Blush in 1809 and Park's Yellow Tea-Scented China in 1824.
China roses are all repeat flowering in varying degrees. They begin flowering in early spring and will continue until frost. In very mild climates (Zones 8, 9 and 10) they will flower through fall and into winter and are nearly evergreen. Whether they are considered perpetual, repeat, recurrent or remontant, it is the capacity for continuous bloom that defines the class.
Chinas have an entirely different look than the roses previously introduced to European hybridizers. They have smooth surfaced mid- to dark green foliage, with touches of purple, dark red or bronze in their canes, leaves and new growth. They have fewer thorns than the old roses of Europe. And, unlike the European roses, their petal colors intensify rather than fade over time. Slater's Crimson, one of the original Chinas to reach Europe, brought in its genes a rich, deep, dark red without the predominant crimson or magenta undertone found in the Gallicas. Hence Crimson Glory, Don Juan, Guinee, Mister Lincoln, Souvenir du Dr. Jamain and General Jacqueminot. Another of the original Chinas, Park's Yellow, brought with it the thicker, waxier petals so common in today's Hybrid Teas, along with its yellow tints and tea scent.
The characteristics mentioned above -- recurrency, sparse dark green and purple foliage, blooms of deep red and bright yellow and heavy scrolling petals -- coalesced to present a Pandora's Box to rose hybridizers in the early 1800s. The China Revolution changed the face of rose appreciation because it introduced new standards of beauty. Was the influence beneficent? This is still a heavily-debated issue among rosarians. Perhaps it is a matter of degree. The China influence is evident in many and varied classes of roses, including Portlands, Bourbons, Hybrid Perpetuals, Noisettes, Miniatures and Hybrid Teas.
According to Graham Thomas: "The China roses came in from 1800 on.... These have given rise to the hybrid teas, the bourbons and floribundas, all perpetual flowers. But they're weaker growers, with little scent."
Growing Chinas
Apart from their repeat flowering, Chinas are not particularly notable as a class. As a group they are noticeably smaller and less vigorous than their Mideastern, European and American cousins. Most have fewer petals and have a looser, even ragged-looking bloom, which is more than compensated by their luminous, color-washed petals. Theirs is a casual, understated appeal.
As a whole, the Chinas need better soil than the earlier roses. They are less hardy by far. Their range is limited: Zone 7 to Zone 10, with a few exceptions. They have a sparse, twiggy habit and require a sheltered spot. Their size is often dictated by climate. Ideally situated in Zone 6, an Old Blush may reach only 3 feet, whereas in Zone 10, it may reach 6 or 7
Apart from their repeat flowering, Chinas are not particularly notable as a class. As a group they are noticeably smaller and less vigorous than their Mideastern, European and American cousins. Most have fewer petals and have a looser, even ragged-looking bloom, which is more than compensated by their luminous, color-washed petals. Theirs is a casual, understated appeal.
As a whole, the Chinas need better soil than the earlier roses. They are less hardy by far. Their range is limited: Zone 7 to Zone 10, with a few exceptions. They have a sparse, twiggy habit and require a sheltered spot. Their size is often dictated by climate. Ideally situated in Zone 6, an Old Blush may reach only 3 feet, whereas in Zone 10, it may reach 6 or 7
feet. On the plus side, Chinas are exceptionally heat- and drought-tolerant. Even if they freeze to the ground, they will grow back if grown on their own roots. Chinas are unsuitable for uses that will expose them to excess wind, rain, or abuse. Because of their delicacy, they are best placed within a mixed border or in containers.
Best Bets
Archduke Charles. Possessing a sweet, fruity scent, its full loose blooms of deep pink age to crimson. According to Liz Druitt, the Archduke is best in fall and spring and is better for cutting than most Chinas. 4 feet.
Comtesse du Cayla. Each bloom has varying tints. Apricot, buff, crimson and copper blend in each loosely cupped, silky, single bloom. Flower buds are coral. The lovely petals are further enhanced by a sweet, fruity scent. Comtesse's new growth and canes are a clear burgundy. She is vigorous, disease-resistant and well-rounded, with a long blooming season. 3 ft.
Best Bets
Archduke Charles. Possessing a sweet, fruity scent, its full loose blooms of deep pink age to crimson. According to Liz Druitt, the Archduke is best in fall and spring and is better for cutting than most Chinas. 4 feet.
Comtesse du Cayla. Each bloom has varying tints. Apricot, buff, crimson and copper blend in each loosely cupped, silky, single bloom. Flower buds are coral. The lovely petals are further enhanced by a sweet, fruity scent. Comtesse's new growth and canes are a clear burgundy. She is vigorous, disease-resistant and well-rounded, with a long blooming season. 3 ft.
Cramoisie Superieure offers small, clustered, cupped, crimson blooms en masse on a bush 3 feet high. Theirs is a sweet fruity fragrance. A climbing sport is available.
Ducher. Its large, pure white, cabbagey cups have a delicious scent. The only white China.
Hermosa. The very full, globular blooms of Hermosa look like those of a Centifolia or Bourbon and emit a similarly strong sweet fragrance. Hermosa forms a petite bush of 3 feet. There is a climbing sport.
Louis Philippe is a tall, angular bush. Its deep burgundy blooms give out a rich, delicious cherry perfume. It resembles Cramoisie Superieure with which it is sometimes confused. It is constantly in bloom and is very easily grown. Louis is popular shrub throughout the South -- and for good reason.
Mme. Laurette Messimy. Its peachy pink / apricot blooms deliver a luscious, fruity fragrance.
Mutabilis/Tipo Ideale/Rosa turkestana/Butterfly Rose. An excellent and deservedly popular garden shrub, noted for its floating single petals of silken texture which change hues as they age. They start as copper buds, progressing to a peachy yellow, to coral, then finally to crimson. Varied colors appear concurrently. Dark green foliage with bronzy-purple new growth forms a backdrop. Mutabilis may reach 8 feet if sheltered, but its usual size is about 4 feet. A classic old rose. Needs a sunny, sheltered spot.
Old Blush / Monthly Rose. One of the all-time favorite roses, Old Blush is a twiggy but robust rose, with masses of loose, double shell pink flowers. May bloom all year long; only frost can stop it. It produces several crops of large orange hips, which Liz Druitt has found to be especially tasty. Attains a height of 4 feet (or more, depending on climate). It has few thorns, is disease- and pest-resistant and is easy to grow, tolerating shade, poor soil and drought. There is a climbing sport.
Rouletti. The first of the modern miniature roses.
Slater's Crimson China. Its globular, cabbagey blooms own a lovely lemon scent. Slater's Crimson China is unusually bushy and vigorous for a China rose.
Sources
Austin, David. Old Roses and English Roses. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Antique Collector's Club, 1992.
Druitt, Liz. The Organic Rose Garden. Dallas: Taylor, 1996
Raver, Anne. "So the Roses May Bloom Forever." NY Times, July 17, 1997.
If Roses Could Talk...
Rouletti. The first of the modern miniature roses.
Slater's Crimson China. Its globular, cabbagey blooms own a lovely lemon scent. Slater's Crimson China is unusually bushy and vigorous for a China rose.
Sources
Austin, David. Old Roses and English Roses. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Antique Collector's Club, 1992.
Druitt, Liz. The Organic Rose Garden. Dallas: Taylor, 1996
Raver, Anne. "So the Roses May Bloom Forever." NY Times, July 17, 1997.
If Roses Could Talk...
China Rose (R. chinensis) -- Your Beauty is Always New-- from Kate Greenaway's Language of Flowers
White Rose (R. alba) -- I Am Worthy of You
White Rose, withered -- Love is Dangerous, Death before disgrace
Pasture Rose (R. carolina) -- Impressions are Fleeting
Cabbage rose (R. centifolia) -- The Ambassador of Love
Rosa Mundi (R. gallica versicolor) -- Variety is the Spice of Life
Austrian Briar Rose (R. foetida) -- Thou Art All That is Lovely
