1 - Gallica Roses
2 - Damask Roses
3 - Alba Roses
4 - Centifolia Roses
5 - Moss Roses
6 - China Roses
7 - Portland Roses
8 - Bourbon Roses
9 - Noisette Roses
10 - Tea Roses
11 - Hybrid Perpetual Roses
12 - Rugosa Roses
13 - Hybrid Musk Roses
14 - Wichurana Roses
15 - Hybrid Multiflora Roses
16 - Boursault Roses
17 - Sempervirens Roses
18 - Ayrshire Roses
19 - Scottish Roses
2 - Damask Roses
3 - Alba Roses
4 - Centifolia Roses
5 - Moss Roses
6 - China Roses
7 - Portland Roses
8 - Bourbon Roses
9 - Noisette Roses
10 - Tea Roses
11 - Hybrid Perpetual Roses
12 - Rugosa Roses
13 - Hybrid Musk Roses
14 - Wichurana Roses
15 - Hybrid Multiflora Roses
16 - Boursault Roses
17 - Sempervirens Roses
18 - Ayrshire Roses
19 - Scottish Roses
20 - Banksian Roses
21 - Rosa Laevigata and Hybrids
22 - Rosa Bracteata (The “Macartney Rose”)
23 - Bermuda Roses (Mistery Roses)
24 - R. Gigantea and Hybrids
21 - Rosa Laevigata and Hybrids
22 - Rosa Bracteata (The “Macartney Rose”)
23 - Bermuda Roses (Mistery Roses)
24 - R. Gigantea and Hybrids
39 - Wild Roses
Old Garden Roses
1 - Gallica Roses
These roses are said to have originated in the South of France, but the actual history of the Gallicas was lost over time. They are said to be the first roses to be cultivated in gardens. One of the most popular types of Gallica Roses is the “Versicolor”, also known as the “Rosa Mundi”, and was exclusively analysed by the botanist Clausius in 1583.
In the 19th century the Empress Josephine had a collection of about a hundred and sixty Gallicas in her garden, the Malmaison Garden. These roses usually bloom once a year, in summer, and the colour of the flowers varies between pink, white and dark red.
2 - Damask Roses
Some of the varieties of this species date back to the 16th century, but they have existed for a long time in the Middle East, and were constantly mentioned by travellers. This species is difficult to categorise because the roses are very similar to the Gallica Roses, but are less erect and have stout bushes.
They have an exceptional fragrance, but these roses were never really popular. Damask Roses are usually very healthy and vigorous, but for this, they need fertile soil and constant care to flourish.
3 - Alba Roses
Alba Roses belong to the Old Roses, a group which includes some of the most beautiful and hardy roses. This species was already known to the Romans, and were later grown in the Middle Ages in Europe for medical purposes. Specialists suggest that Alba Roses are derived from a natural hybridisation between the Damask Rose and the Canine Rose.
4 - Centifolia Roses
In the past, this species was considered the ‘rose with a hundred petals’, it was also known as the ‘Old Cabbage Rose’ or the ‘Provence Rose’. They were much featured in the paintings of Dutch masters, which portrayed them as common species in 17th century gardens. Their flowers are usually big, lush and very fragrant, which makes them the perfect example of ancient garden roses.
5 - Moss Roses
It is believed that Moss Roses existed in France, Italy and Holland in the 18th century. All the varieties derive from the “R. centifolia muscosa”, and can be characterised as such, for they have moss-like glands on the petals, stems and calyx. These roses have a very unique fragrance. Although this species was popular in the 19th century, today only collectors cultivate and propagate them.
6 - China Roses
Repeat-blooming is no doubt the most prominent characteristic of Modern Roses, and it was inherited from the “China ananicante” which was cultivated in China for more than a thousand years.
China Roses were introduced in the western world in the end of the 18th century. The first specimen was planted in Holland in 1781 and was called the ‘Old Blush’.
7 - Portland Roses
The origins of Portland Roses are still a mystery today. According to some writers, it is believed that round about 1800 the Duchess of Portland received a “R. paestana” as a gift from Italy, and from this time hence Portland Roses developed. These roses were very popular for a short period. Soon, however, Bourbon Roses and later Hybrid Perpetual Roses overtook Portland Roses in popularity.
8 - Bourbon Roses
Scholars suggest this species originated in Isle Bourbon, now called Reunion. It is said to derive from the cross-breeding of the “R. chinensis” and the “R. damascena”, and it is believed that it was taken to France in 1819 and later to England in 1822. Bourbon Roses were very popular in Victorian times due to their beautiful flowers, quality foliage and repeat-blooming.
9 - Noisette Roses
This species originates in America in the beginning of the 19th century, when the French emigrant, Philipe Noisette, cross-bred the “R. chinensis” and the “R. moschata”. Later he exported the species to France in 1817. This race of repeat-flowering roses are considered excellent climbers.
10 - Tea Roses
The Tea Roses were the result of crossing two of the original China Roses “Hume’s Blush China” and “Parkes Yellow Tea Scented China” with various Bourbon and Noisette Roses. The first Tea Rose was introduced in 1835 and most appropriately named “Adam”, having been bred by an english nurseryman of that name.
11 - Hybrid Perpetual Roses
These roses were especially popular in the beginning of the 19th century and are said to be the result of cross-breeding of various species: Hybrid China Roses, Portland Roses and Bourbon Roses. They are easy to cultivate, and some are very fragrant, but they are too tall to be used in flowerbeds.
12 - Rugosa Roses
This species originated in Japan and was introduced in Europe at the end of the 18th century, where an interesting combination of hybrid species originated. Rugosa Roses adapt very easily to poor soil and atmospheric conditions and are disease resistant. Landscape architects usually portray this species as growing in places where no other type of roses would ever grow or as garden hedges.
13 - Hybrid Musk Roses
Most of the roses in this group were bred by the Reverend Joseph Pemberton between 1913 and 1926.
This species has little to do with the official categorisation of the International Federation of the Rose Society, and is thus placed under the group of ‘repeat-blooming bush roses’.
Today these roses are still very popular, resistant and versatile, which makes them easily adaptable to any type of garden.
14 - Wichurana Roses
This group is part of the biggest and most important species of Climbing Roses. Wichurana Roses originated in Japan, Eastern China, Korea and Taiwan. They are hardy and disease resistant. The flowers vary in shape and colour, and most species are fragrant. Most Wichurana can grow to considerable heights.
15 - Hybrid Multiflora Roses
The R. Multiflora originated in Korea and Japan. This species was bred in Great Britain at the end of the Victorian age. It was as popular as the Wichuranas in the first quarter of the 20th century. These roses are Climbers and have small flowers which bloom in clusters in the first four weeks of summer. Most of them are hardy and disease resistant. Even though they were popular, they became less common when the Remontant Climbers came into fashion. However, they still occupy an important place in gardens today.
16 - Boursault Roses
This small and often forgotten species of roses became popular in the 19th century. Where some specialists say that they are derived from the “R. pendolina” (Alpine Rose) and the “R. chinensis” (China Roses), others like David Austin, deny this possibility, which makes it impossible to specify its origin. Although their origin is unknown, nobody can deny that they possess special characteristics, and it is fortunate that they have survived until today.
17 - Sempervirens Roses
R. Sempervirens is known as the “Evergreen Rose”, and it originated in Mid Europe and North Africa. In the beginning of the 19th century, Jacque, a French gardener for the Duke of Orleans (and later King Louis-Phillipe), hybridised the R. Sempervirens, thus creating a small group of roses, which he called Hybrid Sempervirens. This species remains unaltered until today. It is interesting to note that not many Rambler Roses, which have been introduced lately, can match the elegance of the “Sempervirens” flowers that bloom in clusters. Unfortunately they only bloom in summer.
18 - Ayrshire Roses
This species is descended from the Arvensis Roses.
It is a very resistant Climber, therefore it grows easily in the shade of big trees.
19 - Scottish Roses
Scottish Roses are a hybrid form of the “R. pimpinellifollia”. They make excellent bushes and their small flowers are exceptionally beautiful. They grow easily, even in poor soil.
20 - Banksian Roses
This small group of Climbing Roses originated in Western China. They bloom any
time from the end of May to the beginning of June, usually before other Climbing Roses.
In good light and temperature they can grow to considerable heights (20 to 25 feet).
21 - Rosa Laevigata and Hybrids
A native of China, it has adapted itself to the wild in south-eastern North-America, where it has become known as the “Cherokee Rose” Growth 20 ft. Introduced 1759.
22 - Rosa Bracteata (The “Macartney Rose”)
It is a native of Eastern China, collected by Sir George Staunton, and brought to England by Lord Macartney in 1793. The flowers are large, up to 4 ins. Across, pure white, with a silky texture and a large boss of orange-red stamens. Unusually among species it continues to flower until autumn. It is one of the parents of the beautiful “Mermaid” (Paul, 1918).
23 - Bermuda Roses (Mistery Roses)
The mistery roses in Bermuda are those whose original name or provenance is unknown, but wich have grown in Bermuda for many years.
Most of these roses have been given the name of the area where they found, or sometimes the name of the owner of the garden. The mystery roses, wich are all old garden roses, have now been included in the Bench Competitions of the Bermuda Rose Society and at the annual Agricultural Exhibition.
24 - R. Gigantea and Hybrids
This species is very important both historially and genetically. It was this rose, above all, wich was responsable for the transition of old Roses to what we now call Modern Roses.
39 - Wild Roses
Wild Roses spring up spontaneously in many regions of the world. They usually bloom once a year and have different characteristics in the same species. There are over a hundred known species and these are said to grow boundlessly in nature. Some have been cross-bred with the garden roses we cultivate today.
