Old Fashioned Roses Explained
Old Roses include Heritage roses with historical significance as well as what we call antique roses, they all play an important part in the garden, it may be an attempt to recreate an older garden true to its original style, to preserve the genetic line for rose breeding, or simply to enjoy the beauty of some of the more significant roses in history.
These do differ from the Wild Roses.
Perhaps best described as roses that are from the 19th C or earlier, Heritage Roses have one or more of the qualities listed below.
- Strong genetic lines that are of value to rose breeders
- Historic significance
- Educational significance
Heritage Rose Varieties with Examples
Gallica Roses
(Origin: Europe – France)
- Rosa gallica ‘Officinalis’ – The Apothecary’s Rose, used medicinally since medieval times.
- Tuscany Superb – Deep crimson blooms with golden stamens.
- Charles de Mills – Flattened, quartered, magenta blooms; dramatic garden presence.
- Complicata – Large, single pink blooms with a prominent yellow center.
Damask Roses
(Origin: Middle East – Syria/Persia)
- Madame Hardy – Pure white, heavily scented, green button eye.
- Kazanlik – Used for rose oil in Bulgaria; intensely fragrant.
- Ispahan – Bright pink, compact form, long flowering.
- Leda – Creamy white with red-tipped petals, very fragrant.
Noisette Roses
(Origin: USA – South Carolina)
- Blush Noisette – Clusters of blush-pink flowers, lightly scented.
- Crepuscule – Apricot-colored climber, warm-toned and repeat flowering.
- Madame Alfred Carrière – Creamy white climber, shade tolerant and fragrant.
- Lamarque – Elegant white blooms, great for warm climates.
Bourbon Roses
(Origin: Île Bourbon – now Réunion Island)
- Souvenir de la Malmaison – Soft pink, lush blooms, very fragrant.
- Zephirine Drouhin – Thornless climber with bright rose-pink blooms.
- Louise Odier – Strongly scented, pink, cupped blooms.
- Variegata di Bologna – Striped pink and white flowers with rich scent.
Alba Roses
(Origin: Europe)
- Rosa alba ‘Maxima’ – Tall, white, fragrant, historically significant.
- Semi-Plena – Single white blooms; long-lasting hip display.
- Königin von Dänemark – Compact, strongly scented pink blooms.
- Celestial – Delicate pink flowers with elegant grey foliage.
Centifolia Roses
(Origin: Netherlands/France, 17th century)
- Rosa centifolia – The original “cabbage rose,” globular blooms.
- Fantin-Latour – Large, soft pink flowers; lush and fragrant.
- Chapeau de Napoléon – Buds resemble a tri-cornered hat.
- Bullata – “Lettuce-leafed rose,” very textured foliage.
China Roses
(Origin: China)
- Old Blush – Light pink, repeat blooming; key ancestor of modern hybrids.
- Mutabilis – Flowers change from yellow to pink to crimson.
- Slater’s Crimson China – Deep crimson; one of the first China roses in Europe.
- Archduke Charles – Color-shifting from pink to red; small bush.
Persian Roses
(Origin: Persia – modern Iran)
- Rosa foetida ‘Persiana’ – Strong yellow blooms; musky scent.
- Rosa foetida ‘Bicolor’ (Austrian Copper) – Orange-red and yellow bicolor.
- Rosa persica (Hulthemia) – Yellow blooms with a dark central blotch.
- Eyes for You (modern hybrid) – Persian rose influence with striking eye zone.
Roses for a Heritage Garden
We have roses such as the noisette rose ‘Lamarque’ dating back to the 1830s. This great climbing rose was named after General Lamarque, a French Commander, Member of Parliament and political activist. And although not rare it is a very old and important rose.
‘Sombreuil’ (picture right) is another climbing rose dating back to 1850. ‘Rosa Mundi’ dating back to Henry II and maybe named after his mistress ‘Fair Rosamund’. Queen of the violets of ‘Reine des Violettes’ again dating back to the 1800s. ‘Quatre Saisons’, ‘Old Blush’, ‘Mme Alfred Carriere’, ‘Celine Forestier’, Maldivian Pink’ and ‘Amadis’ are others to look for.
Care of heritage roses
Much the same as other roses, prune in winter, feed in spring and watch for diseases and pests, heritage roses are no different to other roses in care requirements.
