Antique Roses
 

Alba

Large, vigorous, free branching, upright, well foliated varieties that are both winter hardy and shade tolerant. Large, fragrant blooms appear in late June in colours ranging from white to mid pink, and are double to very double in shape. Though non-recurrent, the regal growth habit and intoxicating perfume ensures Albas a deserving place in the garden.

Reasonably vigorous varieties of varying height, shape and habit ranging from low and bushy to climbing. Most varieties are repeat flowering and all are very well perfumed. Colours range from white and blush pink through to vermilion red, and also red and white stripes.

Mostly large upright, arching, hardy shrubs producing multitudes of richly scented very double blooms in June. Blooms range in size from variety to variety, as does the colour from white to purple. The exception to all this is Pompom de Bourgone which is a densely branched miniature possessing intriguing potential for many gardens.

As the class name implies China Roses are descendants of roses that were discovered in China and brought to Europe in the 18^th century. They are all repeat flowering and bushy growers of varying heights. Bloom shape is usually double and colours include white, shades of pink, apricot and crimson-red. Since Chinas are rather tender, they should be protected in winter.

Damasks are a lovely group of old roses. They are usually medium sized shrubs growing to about 4-5', well foliated and upright growing though some have a tendency to arch gracefully. Portland Damasks, as a group are dense, bushy, upright and well foliated. What sets them apart from other Damasks is that they are recurrent blooming and compact growing. Blooms are carried on a short peduncle giving the appearance of being retracted into the foliage. Most Damasks are non-recurrent but produce large fragrant blooms over a long period. Portland Damasks are repeat flowering, and do so freely. As with most old roses the colour selection is limited to whites, pinks, and wine reds in varying shades.

Gallicas are my favourite old roses. While they are non-recurrent, their bloom quality, bloom quantity, character and history intrigue me. They produce good-sized blooms ranging in colour from pinks to deep maroon on plants that are bushy, well foliated and mostly upright. They are derived from the species R. gallica that grows wild throughout Europe. One of the oldest cultivars, R. gallica 'Versicolor' commonly known as Rosa Mundi, was in cultivation as early as 1583.

Gallicas are winter hardy in Pickering (Zone 5) without protection.

While few in number these varieties are important, as they are some of the first yellow roses hybridized. They are mostly non-recurrent, producing double blooms on tall upright growing shrubs.

Rosa moyesii and its hybrids are large bushy growing shrubs that produce mid-sized to large open, flat single petal blooms in mid spring and set large, shapely fruit in the fall. The varieties are all very winter hardy and reasonably vigorous.

Hybrid Musks are an exceptional group of roses, worthy of a place in any garden. They are all cluster flowered, rapid repeat bloomers and very fragrant. Being fairly modern varieties there is an extensive choice of colours and bloom shape. Some varieties produce large single petal blooms, others fully double blooms, and others trusses of small single petal blooms resembling a hydrangea. The growth habit is usually a mounding bushy form but some are upright and can be used as climbers. They're disease resistant, and will tolerate partial shade.

Hybrid Perpetuals are a group of varieties that dates from the mid-nineteenth century. Preceding the introduction of Tea and Hybrid Tea roses, these were used extensively for exhibiting in their day. All are repeat flowering and well perfumed in typical double to fully double old rose form and colours (no yellows or apricots), including some striped varieties. They are, for the most part vigorous growing and upright, although some can become very lax and arching if allowed.

These dense, bushy varieties are also called Scotch or Burnet roses. They are disease-resistant and winter hardy. The growth habit is usually twiggy with the exception of Spring Morning, Spring Gold and Karl Förster, which are more upright and erect. They are all non-recurrent, with the exception of Stanwell Perpetual, which repeats very well producing mid-sized fully double blooms.

Mosses originated from Centifolias by a mutation of growth. Flower buds and stems are covered in moss-like growth. They all produce mid-sized to large double or very double flowers and are well perfumed. Some varieties are recurrent blooming. Colours are typical to Centifolias, white to deep maroon, although there are an apricot and a pale yellow variety among them. In most cases they are upright, bushy growers but some can become lax if allowed.

Closely related to Chinas, noisettes are vigorous growing varieties, the majority of which are best used as climbers. They produce mid-sized very fragrant double to very double varieties and are all repeat blooming. Our climate can be rough on these; they have a tendency to keep growing late in the season, which renders them more vulnerable to winter damage. In our climate they should be planted in a warm, sheltered spot and protected for the winter.

These are the original wild roses. Our collection includes many significant species from around the world. They are non-recurrent and bear simple single petalled blooms and produce hips in fall. Growth habit, bloom shape etc. is unique to each variety. While most gardeners prefer the appearance of newer cultivars available today the simple beauty of these roses can still be appreciated in many garden settings.

Ramblers are, for the most part, once flowering climbers, although there are some varieties that repeat bloom. Common characteristics among all ramblers are the vigorous growing pliable canes, and abundance of bloom in season. They are mostly fragrant and blooms can be small single petalled in trusses to medium-sized double blooms in clusters.

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