By Kathleen Gresham
To recreate the sort of garden beloved by our ancestors, include the old garden roses. The old roses date back for centuries, are hardier than some modern hybrids, and include a large variety of colors and scents.
What classifies a rose as an old garden rose? According to the American Rose Society, old garden roses are antique rose varieties that were introduced before 1867.
Old roses grow well in poor conditions and are the easiest type of rose to care for. If planted in rich soil that drains well, they will continue to bloom for many years. They prefer a light feeding schedule and require a bit of patience. They bloom only when they are ready to bloom.
Famous Old Garden Rose Varieties
Among the best known of the old garden roses are Mary Queen of Scots, the Sweetheart Rose, the American Beauty, Awakening, and Belle Amore.
Old garden roses with the traditional appearance include
* The Duchesse de Brabant (a Gulf Coast rose with a light scent)
* Belinda’s Dream (long stems, nice fragrance)
* Zepherine Drouhin (unique fragrance)
* Red Radiance (strong fragrance)
The Butterfly Rose is an ancient hybrid from China, introduced to the West in 1932. The blooms change colors from soft orange to pink to carmine, which makes it a delight to observe.
Rose Gardening Groups and Clubs
Plenty of garden groups and clubs exist for rose enthusiasts. A short list of some of these clubs are as follows:
American Horticultural Society, Arlington Rose Foundation, Phoenix Rose Society, Potomac Rose Society, Arizona West Valley Rose Society, and Humboldt Rose Society.
Showing Your Roses at Rose Shows
There are national rose shows and also district shows and local shows around the country where you can show your roses. If you are interested in competing in the rose shows, you might consider joining the American Rose Society. Through such a group, you can obtain a wealth of information and contacts.
Because it is a challenge to judge the old garden rose, the judging old roses at rose shows varies widely. Judging seminars are held to help educate judges, because fewer judges are familiar with old garden roses than with the newer modern rose varieties.
If your goal is to show your old garden roses for prizes, you’ll have to pay a bit more attention to them and groom them properly for the shows. Things to look for include strong, vibrant blooms, leaves, and stems. They should have good color.
Remove damaged petals (trim if necessary). The foliage should be clean.
The fewer side growths there are on the rose canes, the better. A stem-on-stem condition is considered impairment. That is when new growth starts where old growth had stopped.
Places Where You Can View Old Roses
If you would enjoy traveling around the United States in search of gardens to view the various old garden roses, among other types, you could try the following places:
* The Pageant of Roses Garden, Whittier, CA
* Washington Park International Rose Test Garden, Portland, OR
* Inez Parker Memorial Rose Garden, San Diego, CA
* The Gardens of the American Rose Society, Shreveport, LA
* Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center, Tyler, TX
* Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, TX
If traveling the United States is not an option, try the local yellow pages in your area or call or visit the Chamber of Commerce in your town to get information on local gardens, clubs, and events that feature old garden roses.
