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Roses grown before 1800 are often classified as "ancient" and most often species (meaning they have not been hybridized by man). They are almost all white, pink, mauve, or dark wine-red (often referred to as crimson, but not what we would consider crimson today). The China class of roses is particularly important as it lead to the development of remontant (reblooming) roses. 'Slater's Crimson China' gave us our first true red--crimson--roses. Our modern Hybrid Tea roses could not exist without the Chinas. Most the roses listed below bloomed once, typically in June. Albas (Whites) 'Great Maiden's Blush', circa 1797. An old favorite with many names. The double blooms are soft, warm blush-pink which fades to a creamy pink. 'Semi-plena'. Used to distil attar at Kazanlik. Nearly single-flower in milk-white. 'Maxima', aka 'Great Double White', 'Jacobite Rose', 'Cheshire Rose'. Flowers are double and open in a creamy-pink which fades to white. Centifolia 'Unique Blanche', aka 'The White Provence', 'Unique', or 'Vierge de Clery'. Discovered in Needham, Suffolk in 1775. Double flowers in white. Damask 'Bifera' 'Celsiana', circa 1750. Heady, strong fragrance. Flowers loose, semi-double in warm, light pink, fading to blush. 'Versicolor', aka 'York and Lancaster', circa 1629. Flowers held in sprays, blush white and light pink. Blooms are loosely double and may be either entirely of one color or flecked with both colors. 'Autumn Damask', aka 'Quatre Saisons', Rosa damascena semperflorens, or Rosa bifera. Clear pink semi-double blossoms with strong fragrance. Chinas 'Parson's Pink China', circa 1780. Loose, semi-double flowers in pink, which age to a darker pink. 'Slater's Crimson China', circa 1790. Loose, semi-double flowers in true red with the occasional thin white streak near the center. Gallicas gallica, aka 'The French Rose'; 'The Rose of Provins'. Single flowers (5 petals) in clear pink. Mild scent. Rosa gallica maxima, aka Rosa gallica officinalis; 'Splendens'; 'Red Damask'; 'The Apothecary's Rose'. Probably the 'Red Rose of Lancaster'. May be the oldest cultivated form of gallica. Semi-double flowers in light crimson. Blooms late (summer). 'Tuscany', aka 'The Old Velvet Rose'. Semi-double flowers in dark murrey-purple with rich yellow stamens. 'Versicolor', aka 'Rosa Mundi'; Rosa gallica 'Veriegata', recorded in early 17th century. Striped rose of light crimson flecked with pale pink. Very popular rose and often found paired with 'Maiden's Blush' in older gardens. Moss - The favorite of the Victorians, Moss roses have a moss-like growth on the green sepals surrounding the bud, which is sticky and smells beautifully of balsam. 'Common Moss' 1696. Once blooming, fully double blossoms in medium pink. Very fragrant. 'Muscosa', circa 1727. Sport of Rosa centifolia. Clear pink, double blooms which are very fragrant. Yellow Roses - Vivid yellow roses were not available until Pernet-Ducher launched 'Soleil d'Or', hybridized from Rosa foetida, later in the 19th century. Interestingly, it is the yellow rose that brought the disease Black Spot to the rose. The few yellow available were limited to: Rosa foetida, aka 'The Austrian Brier'. Unpleasant scent, but bright yellow flowers. Also called R. lutea. Rosa lutea punicea, aka 'Bicolor' or 'Austrian Copper Brier', circa 1590 with a double form in 1815. R. lutea punicea was copper and yellow on the reverse side of the petal. Single (5 petal) blooms. Rosa hemisphaerica, aka 'The Sulphur Rose' . Known before 1625, but not suited to the British climate. Sometimes known as the 'Yellow Provence Rose'. This is the only other large double yellow rose in cultivation before 'Persiana', later in the century.
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A lady rose smuggler meets her match...
SMUGGLED ROSE was awarded 4 stars by the Romantic Times! ...a witty, refreshing read...
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Typical
Rose: Great Maiden's Blush