Learn to Love … Old Garden Roses

There are 3 basic categories of roses: (1) Wild Roses; (2) Old Garden Roses; and (3) Modern Roses. 'Old Garden Roses' refer to roses that existed before 1867. The first hybrid tea rose, 'la France', was bred in 1867. Hybrid Tea Roses are the oldest class of modern roses. They are the result of crossing Tea Roses with Hybrid Perpetuals. Hybrid Tea Roses are very popular roses due to their repeat blooming, elegant form, and the large variety of flower colours. They also have a single flower on top of a long stem - ideal for a cut flower. So why choose an Old Garden Rose?

To grow an Old Garden Rose is to preserve history. Old Garden Roses have been around for thousands of years. Damask roses were cultivated by the Ancient Egyptians. These roses were grown in Ancient Egypt on a commercial scale for the Roman market. It is said that Cleopatra received Marcus Aurelius in a celebration hall covered in a thick layer of rose petals. The Ancient Romans quickly became obsessed with roses. Roses were grown as field crops - sometimes replacing food crops. The flowers were harvested, and the petals used to produce perfumes (attar) and medicine (rose water). The petals were used as confetti during parades and celebrations. The painting below depicts the Roman emperor Elagabalus (203-222 AD) watching as a group of diners are swamped by rose petals falling from a false ceiling. Some of the guests suffocated! The fall of the Roman Empire resulted in the loss of many ancient rose gardens.

Image above: Painting 'The Roses of Heliogabalus' (1888) by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.

Photo above: Rosa Madame Hardy (Summer Damask Rose) Damask roses are tall elegant shrub roses with pink-white blossoms. These roses are known for their classic strong "rose" scent.

An Old Garden Rose with a rich history is Rosa gallica var. officinalis - the Apothecary rose. It was brought back to Europe from the Middle East by Crusaders in the 12th and 13th century. The Gallica roses were tough roses that were grown in protected monastery gardens for centuries. The monastery monks would use the rose petals to produce medicinal oils, powders, potpourri, preserves and jellies. Dried rose petals were rolled into beads to create rosaries. In England, in the 15th century, the Apothecary's rose was adopted by the House of Lancaster as its' symbol. In contrast, The House of York used a white rose - Rosa x alba 'Semi-Plana'. After the Wars of the Roses (1455-87), the two rose symbols were combined by Henry VII of England to produce the Tudor rose and symbolize the unification of the Houses. In the 19th century, the symbol of the Apothecary rose was adopted by druggists to identify their shops to potential customers.

Photo above: Rosa gallica var. officinalis

One of the main reasons for choosing an Old Garden Roses is the fact that these roses are low maintenance roses. Old Garden Roses have been around for thousands of years - because they are survivors. These roses will grow in a variety of soil conditions - heavy clay? No problem. Pruning is optional. Prune to control size or shape only if necessary. Dead heading is definitely not needed. Once established, Old Garden Roses are drought tolerant. Old Garden Roses are also cold-hardy. They are tough, and generally insect and disease resistant.

Low maintenance - check. High visual impact - check. Yes they bloom only once, over a 4-6 week period of time, but when they bloom they BLOOM AND BLOOM . A modern rose simply can not compare to the impact of a mature Old Garden Rose in full bloom. If you have space, you can leave these roses to reach impressive sizes. Some of the roses are suckering (eg. Gallica) and can be used to form hedges.

Photo above: A hedge of Old Garden Roses

Photo above: A row of Old Garden Roses.

Finally, one of the best reasons for choosing Old Garden Roses is the lovely fragrance. The flowers are packed full of extremely fragrant petals. The fragrance fills the air. The fragrance is best early in the morning, and when the flower bloom is half open. Many of the Old Garden Roses have a strong classic rose scent but others have lemon, clove, tea, violet and even apple fragrances. The photos demonstrate the floriferous nature of these roses. You will have to find an Old Garden Rose in bloom to experience the heavy fragrance.

Photo above: Rosa Fantin Latour. Once flowering. Very large shrub (6 x 6 feet). Strong Old Rose fragrance.

Photos above: Rosa 'William Lobb' Once flowering. Dark crimson flowers fading to shades of purple, mauve and violet-grey. Very large shrub (6 x 6 feet). Strong Old Rose fragrance.

Photo above: Rosa 'Konigin von Danemark'. Once Flowering. Quartered bright pink blooms. Very fragrant. Large shrub (5 x 4 feet). Pale grey-green leaves.

Photo above: Rosa 'Celestial'. Once flowering. Very large shrub (6 x 4 feet). Strong Old Rose fragrance. Tolerates partial shade. Beautiful blue-green foliage.

Do you have a favourite Old Garden Rose? Have a peek at my collection in the video below.

For past posts visit the Blog page: https://www.leslieanngardendesign.ca/blog