Roses, a Royal Flower.

Old Garden Roses

by Anne Zeman
A lecture to the Pioneer Grange #1, April 2004

Old Garden Roses are defined as any rose bred before 1867 when "La France," a hybrid tea ushered in the modern era of roses dominated by hybrid tea roses.

There are various categories of old garden roses with each category having characteristics unique to that category. For example, there are a number of categories such as Damask, China, Gallica, Alba, Hybrid Perpetual, Tea, Scotch, and Centifolia. Yet, all old garden roses share disease resistance, typically are fragrant, and have abundant blooms often with a hundred or more petals.

Mike Shoup, proprietor of the Antique Rose Emporium, shared several photos that I'm using for slides. The majority of photos are my own. In a terrific book, "In Search of Lost Roses," the author, Thomas Christopher, describes how many people rediscovered lost roses, long unrecognized in the era of roses dominated by hybrid teas. Hybrid teas are often not disease resistant, require much tending and spraying with chemicals to have them survive at all. Hybrid teas are particularly susceptible to black spot which can kill them, although old garden roses can be resistant or not bothered by black spot. Because of their beauty, fragrance, disease resistance and hardiness (most are grown on their own roots), not to mention their ease of care, old garden roses are making a robust comeback in popularity.

In the book, "In Search of Lost Roses," such groups as the Rose Rustlers of Texas, are described as they searched old cemeteries, church yards, abandoned mining areas and farmsteads, and neighbors yards for old roses still thriving. They took cuttings (with permission of the neighbor of course) and after rooting the cutting began to reconstruct the history of that rose and identify it. Now such cuttings also have their DNA compared to known old garden roses. For example, a lovely found pink rose long called Katy Road Pink was found to be Carefree-a popular landscape rose. Sometimes it is difficult to date a rose because it might have been found by European explorers in the 1700s, but was long cultivated in China before that date. The roses that I will describe here are favorite old garden roses, which you can also find from various rose vendors such as the Antique Rose Emporium, the Uncommon Rose, Almost Heaven Roses, among others.

I will give dates of when the rose was found or cultivated; plus, the rose's habit and characteristics; and other notes on the variety.

Alfred de Dalmas (1855), a moss rose, with continuous bloom and scented. It was popular from 1830 to 1850. It is a semi-double, pale pink blossom; winter hardy, tolerates poor soil and tolerates shade. Most roses really do need six hours of sun for health. It is also known as Mousseline. It grows to be 3 foot by 2 foot.

Alberic Barbier (1900) a rambler. It is white, grows in any soil, has glossy foliage, and is semi-double. It is a good pillar rose.

The American Pillar Rose, bred by Dr. Van Fleet (1900) climbing rambler. Dr. Van Fleet worked for the Department of Agriculture and worked in New Jersey. He bred a series of roses called 'dooryard roses'. This is a lovely bright reddish-pink rose that was once the most popular rose in America, remaining so until the 1940s. It is once blooming, but blooms a long time, from 4 to 5 weeks. It has single blooms borne in clusters. It is thorny.

Anna de Dieschbach (1858), a hybrid perpetual, is a classic old rose pink, with a cabbage like blossom.

Archiduc Joseph (1872) is a tea rose, a dark, dark pink. It is 5 foot high and spreads wide to 8 feet. It supports itself on its own canes. It is known more commonly as Mons. Tillier in the United States. One of the outstanding teas.

Autumn Damask is a very old rose which goes back to the 10th century BC and was grown in Pompeii. King Midas grew it in his garden. Fields of it were grown in Syria for rose water and medicinal purposes. It came to the US in 1600s. Bishop Lalmy, a Catholic priest came to California and brought it to the Spanish missions; thus it became known also as the Rose of Castile. Autumn Damask is also known as Quartre Seasons. It reblooms, is pink and very, very fragrant. It is also known as the "monthly rose" because of its reblooming habit.

"Barnsley Purple" is a rose found on the Barnsley Estate in Georgia. It was the country house of Godrey Barnsley, a Savannah businessman, who built it in the 1830s. Burnt during the Civil War, only its ruins remain. The garden plans were recreated. Barnsley purple rose was found on the estate and rooted cuttings are only sold in the gift shop there. It grows to five to six feet tall, a bit prone to black spot. It is thought to be a Gallica rose type.

Baron Prevost (1842) is a hybrid perpetual. It has clusters of deep pink petals with flowers 3 to 4 inches wide and blooms are very fragrant. American Rose Associations lists it among the top ten roses of all times. It grows five feet high and four feet wide and is long lived.

Belle D'Crecy is a 1848 Gallica. It is thought to be named after Madamn Pompador who lived at D'Crecy, or perhaps named after the rose breeder's home. It is a mauve to pink rose, going through a succession of shades of colors. Once blooming, but is highly recommended. It is somewhat mildew susceptible.

Blanc double de Corbert (1892) a Rugosa. It is a tough rose, often seen planted at the sea shore because it can tolerate salt and sand. It is white, very fragrant, semi-double blooms. It reblooms and tolerates shade. Some think it the best white available.

Bouganvillia, is an 1822 Noisette, everblooming (continuous bloom). It has a crimson bud to point. The shrub grows seven to eight feet and tolerates most soils.

Bullata (1801) is a Centifolia rose cultivated in the 16th century and also known as the 'Lettuce-leaved Rose.' It has that cabbage rose look and blooms are apple blossom pink; blooms are very fragrant. It was often painted by the old masters. The leaves are crinkled and ridged, thus inspiring the name. The shrub grows about 5 foot high and 4 foot wide.

Camaieux (1830) Gallica. It is one of the most remarkable of the striped roses. It is good in a border as it grows to only 3 to 4 feet. It has a Sweet pea smell and tolerates rain. The blooms are double and the petals are pale pink with crimson strips.

Cecile Brunner, an 1894 Polyantha, comes as a shrub or as a climbing version,. It is known as the sweetheart rose or the button hole rose. It has delicate pink flowers and can climb 20 feet a season. The blooms are about l 1/2 to 2 inches. It tolerates shade and is long lived.

Centifolia rose (Rosa Centifolia), known before 1600, thought to be one of the oldest of roses. It was also known as a cabbage rose. It was often painted by the Dutch masters. Flowers are large, round, old-rose pink, and blossoms are one of the most fragrant.

Chapeau d' Napoleon (1826) is a Moss rose, also known as the crested moss. It has pink cabbage flower blooms, is disease resistant, very fragrant and has hips. The shrub grows 5 feet high and 4 feet wide.

Charles de Mills, a 1790 Gallica and an early old cultivar, is very fragrant and has burgundy and maroon blooms. It is very disease resistant with 200 or more petals on a bloom. It is disease resistant. It is one of the finest performers of the old roses.

Fatin-Latour also is known at the mystery rose. It is a Centifolia rose with pink blooms about 3 to 4 inches in width. The shrub grows about 5 foot high by 5 foot wide.

Frau Karl Druschki (1901), named after the wife of the president of the German Rose Society, is a hybrid perpetual, renamed the "American White Beauty" Rose due to growing American dislike for Germans at the time of the First World War. It is easy to grow, not fragrant (unusual for OGR). It is also known as the Snow Queen or Reine des Neiges. It is a vigorous shrub. very dependable, with a repeat bloom.

General Jacqueminot, 1853 hybrid perpetual bred . It has crimson double blossoms and was the most popular rose for over 50 years. It grows to 4 or 5 feet and fragrant.

Glorie des Mousseux (1852) is a Moss rose, it is pale pink, once blooming, and very fragrant. It has quite a bit of pale green moss on sepals.

Harrison's yellow ( R Harrisonii ) is widely known as the 'Yellow Rose of Texas'. It was hybridized by a Mr. Harrison, a New York City lawyer, in the early 1800s. It is once blooming, disease resistant, with small clear yellow blooms. Cuttings were taken by pioneers across the United States so it is found in Texas to Oregon. A vigorous shrub, it thrives on neglect.

Heinrich Schultheirs (1822 hybrid perpetual) is a repeat rose, with dark pink blooms. Used as a Victorian exhibition rose. Blooms are very fragrant and the shrub vigorous.

Hippolyte (1840) is a Gallica Rose. It has magenta-dark purple flowers. Stems are thornless. One of the nicest of the gallicas.

Jacques Cartier (aka Marquise Boccella) 1868 Damask. It is vigorous and has pale pink blossoms. It has very fragrant blooms and is a disease resistant shrub. An old favorite and well worth growing.

Katarina Zeimet (1901 polyantha) is has crimson buds and opens white blooms. Blooms are double. An excellent rose for massing along a walk or border. It makes a good container plant. The blooms are not fragrant, but it does produce hips.

Konigan von Danmark, Queen of Denmark, 1826 Alba rose. One of the most elegant of the old roses. It is pink, with at least 200 petals, quite fragrant, and easy to grow. It tolerates some shade and is once blooming.

La Reine is a hybrid perpetual (1842). It is a reblooming rose, as are most all Hybrid Perpetuals. It has a large flower with about 4 inch blooms, but is not fragrant. It is thorny. The flowers are pink with undertones of lilac.

La Reine Victoria (1872 bourbon) has light pink double blossoms and repeat blooms. It needs good air circulation and good soil.

La Ville de Bruxelles (1849) is a Damask rose. A stunning rose with large pink blossoms. It is hardy, healthy, and vigorous.It is once blooming with growth 4 to 5 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide. Blooms are very fragrant.

Lady Banks Rose (1825) is a yellow rose, also known as the yellow banksia. (Rosia Banksia lutea) has yellow flowers with a very slight scent. It is a rambler growing from 6 to 8 feet. A classic.

Leta, a1827 damask rose, with crimson markings on white petals, is once blooming and grows 3 feet high and 3 feet wide. It is also known as the "Painted Damask," and has very fragrant blooms.

Louise Odier, 1851 Bourbon rose, has pink camellia-like flowers and has a wonderful fragrance. Graham Thomas, the famous rosarian, speaks highly of this rose.

Maiden's Blush (before 1600) was known in Europe as the 'Cuisse de Nymphe" (Thigh of the Passionate Nymph), which likely inspired the name change when it reached Victorian England and America. It is elegant in full bloom. It was painted by Dutch Masters. It is once blooming with grand perfume.

Madam Hardy, 1832 damask, named for curator's wife at Luxembourg Garden in France) is is a pure, double white bloom with green eye. Truly one of the most beautiful of the old garden roses. Very free-flowering with hundreds of petals. Blooms once, but worth the wait and never gets any disease. Good on a pillar.

Madam Isaac Pereire (1880 bourbon) is considered an outstanding cultivar. Graham Thomas calls it the most fragrant rose. It has magenta flowers with a green eye that repeat blooms 6 to 8 weeks. It is thorny.

Madam Plantier (1835) an Alba rose, it has pink buds and stunning, clear white flowers. It can grow on a pillar; it has few thorns.

Madam Victor Verdier, is a parent of the first hybrid tea, "La France," but is spectacular on its own. (1863). It is a hybrid perpetual with huge buds, and full crimson pink blooms. It is very vigorous.

Rosa Mundi (1500s). It is also known as Rosa Versicolor, a sport of the Lancaster rose. It was said to have been brought back from the Middle East by Crusaders. It is the legendary striped rose, semi-double blooms, once blooming, and very fragrant. It can get mildew. It never fails to attract attention.

Old Blush (1752, China rose) also known as Parson's Pink as it was very popular in church yards. Pioneers also took this rose with them and it can be found along wagon trails going west. It is an easy rose to grow. It was growing on Appomattox Courthouse when Lee surrendered and that rose bush grows there today. Graham Thomas placed great value on this rose and wrote that no garden was complete without it.

Paul Neyron (1869) is a hybrid perpetual with 4 to 6 inch blooms in hot pink. It can grow to 7 feet in the south. It is a repeat bloomer. A sturdy, beautiful rose.

Rose de Recht, 1840 Portland rose, a 2 foot by 2 foot shrub with cluster blooms. It is very fragrant. The pompom-like flowers range from crimson to carmine. It is a vigorous shrub.

Rose de Roi (1815) a Portland rose. Louis the XVIII liked it, hence the name Rose of the King. It has good repeat blooms each 5 to 6 weeks. The shrub grows to 3 feet high and 3 feet wide. The red double flowers are very fragrant.

Rosarie de l'Hay, 1901 rugosa, named after the famous rose garden near Paris, is a vigorous Rugosa rose with magenta or almost scarlet blooms. It grows about 5 feet high and 5 feet wide.

Rugosa Rose, is a wild rose. Very vigorous. One of the hardiest of roses, does well in all conditions, including the seashore and for erosion control. Flowers have beautiful magenta petals with yellow crown of stamens in the middle.

Russelliana (1820s or 30s multiflora rambler) can grow 6 to 8 feet in a season. Found in cemeteries, on pillars and is crimson to purple. 4 feet wide.

Salet (1854) is a moss rose with repeat blooms. Charming rosy-pink blooms with a nice scent. The moss is reddish-brown on each bud. One of the best winter-hardy roses.

Seven Sisters Rose (1817 multiflora rambler) named for its changing seven shades of color, from crimson buds to pink to almost white pink of the flowers. An incredible sight en mass.

Sir Thomas Lipton (a Van Fleet rose) (1900) a Rugosa hybrid, it is white, semi-double, continuous blooming rose.

Sombriel Climbing , 1850 tea rose, is a creamy white rose, abundant white tea rose about 1850. It is a very fragrant rose and vigorous shrub.

Souvenir de Malmaison, 1843 bourbon, is a very fragrant rose and vigorous shrub. This rose grew the gardens of Empress Josephine, who collected over 250 varieties of roses in the gardens surrounding her home, Malmaison.

Souvenir de Therese Levet (1882) is a tea rose with dark read blooms, and once blooming. It is a small climber, has thorns, and is very fragrant.

Stanwell Perpetual (1838) is a Scotch rose, a tough rose, continuous bloom, and is very fragrant.

Tuscany Superb (1848) is a Gallica, dark red, almost maroon, velvet-like petals (old velvet rose relation) which are beautifully contrasted against bright green leaves. It is a real beauty.

Variegata de Bologna, 1909 bourbon, never fails to attract attention. Bright crimson stripes on pale pink blooms are stunningly rich with color. A little prone to blackspot, but worth it. Can be grown on a pillar.

William Lobb (1855 moss) is pink-lilac, double, a rich-looking rose with large semi-double blossoms with petals mixed from purple to magenta. Looks excellent in the border mixing with other plants. It also works on a pillar.

Zephirine Drouhin (1868) is a Bourbon rose, almost thornless. Once blooming, but quite popular because it's long flowering with semi-double cerise pink blooms, which are very fragrant.

Links to Roses

The Antique Rose Emporium
By far the most inclusive source of high quality antique roses. They're in Texas, but ship everywhere.

Paul Barden's Old Garden Rose Information pages
Truly a fine resource for information and photos of old garden roses.

The American Rose Society
A source of information on modern roses and links to local clubs.

Help me Find Roses
A resource to help find types of roses and rose photos.

Almost Heaven Roses is in North Carolina and sells cuttings of their own roses both antique (OGR) and modern. Wonderful bargains too.