ALL ABOUT ROSES
Old Garden Roses and 'Vintage' Roses
Ten Of The Best And Easiest To Grow Old Garden Roses
by Steve Jones
Rose de Rescht (1940 Damask) - The small, very fragrant and full, fuchsia-pink blooms are continually produced on an upright plant to 3'. In some areas, the plant may grow to 6'. The stems are moderately thorny, and the peduncles are short, causing the bloom to "sit" in the foliage. Good, clean, medium green foliage. This is my indicator plant to watch for spider mites. One of the OGRs that will outbloom most Hybrid Teas.
Sombreuil (1850 Climbing Tea) - This excellent Tea rose is also a top show winner. Very full, white to creamy white blooms are produced throughout the season on a large, clean, vigorous plant up to 20'. Not hardy in northern climates.
Souvenir de la Malmaison (1843 Bourbon) - The light pink to white, fragrant blooms, are very full and often quartered. The plant is low and spreading in nature (3' high by 4' wide), and it takes 1-2 years to become established. This plant will mildew if you let your spray program down, and the very full blooms may not open in the colder, damp climates. This rose will also outbloom most Hybrid Teas. There is also a climbing version.
Marchesa Boccella (1842 Hybrid Perpetual) - A great rose that continually produces fragrant, full, medium to light pink blooms. The inner petioles may reflex on the center showing a "pip" center. The plant grows upward to 4-6', has thorny stems, and is easily kept in shape by pruning, which it doesn't mind. The foliage is light green, somewhat matted, and frames the bloom beautifully. The bloom shows the early stage of Hybrid Perpetual development by having Portland characteristics including short peduncles which causes the bloom to "sit" in the foliage.
Green Rose (1845 China) - But is it really a rose?! The Green Rose is just that, a green rose. The petals of the bloom reverted back to leaves (petals are modified leaves), plus it does not have reproductive organs. People either love or hate this rose. The small plant grows to 3' tall and has few thorns. The "blooms" are usually formed in clusters throughout the year, and a spray of this rose is great! Very popular as a landscape rose and for filler material in rose arrangements. Can be grown in a pot, and is rarely out of "bloom".
La Reine Victoria (1872 Bourbon) - The medium pink, full, and cupped blooms are produced on a vigorous, almost thornless plant with deep green foliage. A large grower, it can be trained as a climber where it can reach 15' in each direction. When the canes are pegged over (placed horizontally), this rose responds with lots of lateral growth with long stems. This rose blooms in flushes rather than throughout the year, where the plant is literally covered with blooms. A heavy feeder, high nitrogen won't cause any major maladies. There is also an excellent lighter colored sport called Madame Pierre Oger.
Baronne Prevost (1842 Hybrid Perpetual) - A tall growing plant to 8'+, it can be trained as a climber. The large, medium pink blooms are at their best stage when the inner petioles reflex on the center and show the "pip". There is no mistaking this rose, the stems are so thorny, it's almost impossible to hold without being pricked. The foliage is dark green, and the plant may mildew if you let your spray program lag. A heavy feeder, loves lots of fish emulsion. A fairly good bloomer, but not as profuse as the others on this list.
Celsiana (1750 Damask) - Probably the best of the once-bloomers. The semi-double, very fragrant, light pink blooms usually come in sprays. The petals are somewhat crinkled, which is very appealing, and are complemented by large, showy stamens. The plant has arching canes that can reach 5'.
Rosa banksiae lutea or Yellow Lady Banks Rose (1824)- This 12'+ once blooming rose is very popular. The almost evergreen foliage, and large clusters of yellow blooms is a welcomed sight early in the spring. Disease resistant, but not real winter hardy.
Sombreuil (1850 Climbing Tea) - This excellent Tea rose is also a top show winner. Very full, white to creamy white blooms are produced throughout the season on a large, clean, vigorous plant up to 20'. Not hardy in northern climates.
Souvenir de la Malmaison (1843 Bourbon) - The light pink to white, fragrant blooms, are very full and often quartered. The plant is low and spreading in nature (3' high by 4' wide), and it takes 1-2 years to become established. This plant will mildew if you let your spray program down, and the very full blooms may not open in the colder, damp climates. This rose will also outbloom most Hybrid Teas. There is also a climbing version.
Marchesa Boccella (1842 Hybrid Perpetual) - A great rose that continually produces fragrant, full, medium to light pink blooms. The inner petioles may reflex on the center showing a "pip" center. The plant grows upward to 4-6', has thorny stems, and is easily kept in shape by pruning, which it doesn't mind. The foliage is light green, somewhat matted, and frames the bloom beautifully. The bloom shows the early stage of Hybrid Perpetual development by having Portland characteristics including short peduncles which causes the bloom to "sit" in the foliage.
Green Rose (1845 China) - But is it really a rose?! The Green Rose is just that, a green rose. The petals of the bloom reverted back to leaves (petals are modified leaves), plus it does not have reproductive organs. People either love or hate this rose. The small plant grows to 3' tall and has few thorns. The "blooms" are usually formed in clusters throughout the year, and a spray of this rose is great! Very popular as a landscape rose and for filler material in rose arrangements. Can be grown in a pot, and is rarely out of "bloom".
La Reine Victoria (1872 Bourbon) - The medium pink, full, and cupped blooms are produced on a vigorous, almost thornless plant with deep green foliage. A large grower, it can be trained as a climber where it can reach 15' in each direction. When the canes are pegged over (placed horizontally), this rose responds with lots of lateral growth with long stems. This rose blooms in flushes rather than throughout the year, where the plant is literally covered with blooms. A heavy feeder, high nitrogen won't cause any major maladies. There is also an excellent lighter colored sport called Madame Pierre Oger.
Baronne Prevost (1842 Hybrid Perpetual) - A tall growing plant to 8'+, it can be trained as a climber. The large, medium pink blooms are at their best stage when the inner petioles reflex on the center and show the "pip". There is no mistaking this rose, the stems are so thorny, it's almost impossible to hold without being pricked. The foliage is dark green, and the plant may mildew if you let your spray program lag. A heavy feeder, loves lots of fish emulsion. A fairly good bloomer, but not as profuse as the others on this list.
Celsiana (1750 Damask) - Probably the best of the once-bloomers. The semi-double, very fragrant, light pink blooms usually come in sprays. The petals are somewhat crinkled, which is very appealing, and are complemented by large, showy stamens. The plant has arching canes that can reach 5'.
Rosa banksiae lutea or Yellow Lady Banks Rose (1824)- This 12'+ once blooming rose is very popular. The almost evergreen foliage, and large clusters of yellow blooms is a welcomed sight early in the spring. Disease resistant, but not real winter hardy.
