Heritage Roses
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These older cultivars are finding something of a renewed interest among rose enthusiasts as many gardeners are starting to regain an appreciation for the roses of the past.
This new found interest stems from the fact that not only do these old roses look spectacular but they have a wonderful fragrance, are relatively easy to grow and display a certain disease resistance.
To quote one of the rose forums:
"You find these old roses everywhere, most often in graveyards. If dead people can grow them then anyone can!"
Classes of Old Roses
There are a variety of rose classes under this wide umbrella of "Antique Roses". Such names as Centifolia (native to Europe and usually only once a year bloomers), Noisettes, Portlands, Bourbons and Hybrid Perpetuals are good examples.
The later four are all repeat bloomers (a process which I am reliably informed is called "Remontant" would you believe!) but have reduced cold tolerance. They can and usually are grown on their own root rather than being grafted to a root-stock so that increases their cold tolerance.
Examples of these wonderful old roses includes:
Old Blush...A climber from 1752
Rugosa Rubra...A very fragrant rose from 1870 and one famous for it's hips. This is one for making rose-hip jelly!
Charles de Mills.
Aviatuer Bleriot...1910
Champney's Pink Cluster...supposedly the first rose hybridized in America...1802.
Common Moss or Rosa Centifolia Muscosa...mossy covered buds and stem from 1696.
Natchitoches Noisette.
Banshee.
Veilchenblaue...said to be one of the bluest roses sold.
..and then there are the apothecary rose and the chestnut rose.
...and so many more.
One of the best way to familiarize yourself with these roses is to check out these two heritage groups, both of whom share the goal of finding and preserving these antique roses.
The Heritage Rose Foundation
This first group was established in 1986, as a non profit organization, and lists among its goals, ""The collection of roses originating in the nineteenth century or earlier and roses with particular historic, educational, or genetic value." They also have tried to establish gardens publish information, maintain a library and arrange meetings and seminars. They can be contacted through their website.
Click here to go to the Heritage Rose Foundation Website
The Heritage Roses Group
This group was formed in 1975 with a goal of preserving, enjoying and sharing knowledge about Old Roses, particularly those roses that were introduced before 1867. This North American group has inspired other groups to start up in Australia, England, New Zealand and France. If you go to the "Links" page of their site you can find these other groups as well as a very interesting list of Heritage Rose Gardens from around the world.
Click here to go to the Heritage Roses Group Website
All rose gardeners who value easy-care and graceful form should consider raising Old Roses. While many modern roses have the reputation of needing much tender loving care, most Antique roses provide a reliable beauty in even the beginners garden.
Check out your catalogs and local rose dealers for these special roses or look into the two websites noted above...they may be the answer you have been looking for: an historical one!
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