1848

5 to 8 feet    Z7-11 R Fr H w

'Jeanne d'Arc' is a dainty but vigorous rose with semi-double, pure white flowers borne in clusters. Like all Noisettes, it betrays its Musk ancestry by a grand fall display and a strong fragrance. Attractive red hips often appear at the same time as the flowers. It is best used as a pillar so that the flowers may be readily seen, or it can be grown as a free-standing bush. Wherever it is planted, 'Jeanne d'Arc' will create an almost perpetual display of Southern beauty.

1842

4 to 6 feet    Z5-11 R Fr mp

Raised by Laffay in 1842, this early Hybrid Perpetual displays large ruffled flowers filled to the brim with petals. The silvery rose-pink blooms with lilac undertones decorate this upright yet compact bush. Opening from a full bud to a cupped bloom with a flat top, 'La Reine' offers the wonderful fragrance that you would expect from such a beauty.

1807

12 to 20 feet    Z8-11 O Fr w

This white form of Rosa banksiae was named in honor of the wife of gifted amateur rosarian, Sir Joseph Banks. The botanist who named it, Robert Brown, commented on its lovely fragrance, saying, Indeed I doubt whether many persons if blindfolded could by the odour distinguish them from violets. Banksia roses are thornless and appear to have no serious insect or disease problems. They are long-lived. Any Southerner who plants one may be assured that it will outlive his grandchildren. During the massive flowering, 1 inch blooms cover the plant like a thick blanket, lasting up to six weeks. Cold is its worst enemy, with hardiness questionable below 15 degrees F. For some reason, deer do not like to eat these roses, so they are perfect to naturalize.

1824

12 to 20 feet    Z8-11 O ly

The double yellow form of R. banksiae.

1830

12 to 20 feet    Z7-11  R Fr w

Named for General Lamarque, this rose is the result of a cross between ‘Blush Noisette’ and ‘Parks’ Yellow Tea-scented China’. A fine, vigorous climber, its flowers are of medium size, double in form, with white petals that have a touch of lemon yellow at the base. Nancy Steen, in The Charm of Old Roses, says that "the fragrance of the flowers is clean and delicious." We have had bouquets of ‘Lamarque’ on the table for Christmas Day. A superb climbing rose.

1825

4 to 6 feet    Z7-11 R Fr pb

Bearing large, fully double flowers with wonderfully swirled centers, 'Le Vesuve' blooms often and freely in shades of lilac pink. A compact bush with heavier foliage than many Chinas, it is vigorous and attractive anywhere in the garden or landscape. This rose can easily be maintained at a smaller size.

1834

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr rb

The flowers are double, deep crimson with a touch of blush at the center and like all old Chinas exhibits an occasional white streak through the petals. This rose is often confused with ‘Cramoisi Superieur’. The only differences we can detect is that ‘Louis Philippe’ is more compact and the color varies. Emily de Zavala, wife of Lorenzo de Zavala, Mexican minister to France, 1834-35, loved the roses at King Louis Philippe's court. The de Zavalas came to Texas in 1835 to support the Texas Revolution. On their land across from the San Jacinto Battleground, Mrs. de Zavala grew roses including 'Louis Philippe,' which became known as the "Zavala rose."

1835

4 to 6 feet    Z4-11 O Fr w

Thought to be the product of an Alba rose crossed with R. moschata, ‘Mme. Plantier’ is a perfect subject for the white garden. The flat, very double blooms are borne in clusters on a spreading, bushy plant all through the spring. The clusters of medium-sized, double, white flowers have a green eye, with outer petals that reflex back in a most attractive manner. Alba roses do best if pruned back a little to encourage bushy growth, and they are famous for the sweetness of their scent.

1842

3 to 5 feet    Z5-11 R Fr lp

A mild confusion surrounds this rose since it is apparently the same plant that was also sold much later under the name 'Jacques Cartier'. 'Marchessa Boccella' is in constant bloom for us, one of the few members of the class to justify the "perpetual" in its name. The delicate pink flowers are flat, petal-crowded confections that sit in clusters of three atop healthy, jade green foliage.  Its heavy damask scent is why we always recommend this rose for fragrance gardens.

1832

4 to 8 feet    Z7-10 R Fr W

Confusion surrounds this very rare rose. We originally thought this rose was the Noisette, ‘La Biche’ and marketed it as such for a number of years. Visiting gardening experts felt strongly that our rose was incorrectly identified and that it’s rightful name is 'Mademoiselle de Sombreuil.’ The cupped flowers are large, semi-double, and Tea scented. The canes are tinged purple while the foliage is a bright green and holds for some time. It is a handsome shrub but can be grown as a pillar rose as well.

1835

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr pb

Not much is known about this gorgeous rose other than it was shared with us by Cleo Barnwell. Rather similar to 'Old Blush,' yet fuller, the blooms of 'Napoleon' have pointed petals that are a lovely shade of pink that darkens to rose. Typical China-like qualities are seen in this rose with its rounded shape and lush foliage.

1752

3 to 6 feet    Z6-11 R Fr H mp

 Also known as "Common Monthly", "Common Blush China", "Old Pink Daily", "Old Pink Monthly", and "Parsons Pink China", the myriad of names of this semi-double hybrid of R. chinensis attest to the friendly familiarity with which it has been grown for over two hundred years. One of the most common of old roses, it is also one of the most valuable, for it has passed on its incredible blooming prowess to countless cultivars during the history of hybridization in the West. 'Old Blush' has medium, semi-double, lilac pink flowers in loose clusters. They flush darker pink in the sun and are followed by large orange hips. It blooms so steadily that it is not a very good cut flower: the blossoms drop quickly to make room for their successors. The bush is full and upright in habit, growing slowly to over 5 feet, with neat, healthy foliage. Perfume is soft, but fruity and pleasant. Whether used in a hedge (which can be spectacular), as a specimen, or in a border, 'Old Blush' should be treated simply as a flowering shrub and not fussed over.

Unknown

12 to 20 feet   Z7-11 R Fr H mp

'Climbing Old Blush' is one of the oldest climbing roses in commerce.  Being a sport of the shurb, 'Old Blush', the bloom form and color is identical to the shrub and only differs in size.  It is a very vigorous climber and can get quite large so please allow it plenty of space where you can enjoy its blooms throughout the year; a trait that is rare for most climbing roses.

1804

15 to 20 feet   Z5-11 O Fr lp

Sent to England from China in 1804, this lovely rambler was soon well distributed throughout Europe and was included in Empress Josephines collection at Malmaison.  "Carnea" blooms in the spring with a decadent profusion of small, double, dainty shell pink roses in heavy clusters. It can transform an ugly outbuilding, dead tree, or unsightly fence into something of real beauty.

1860

4 to 5 feet    Z5-11 R Fr m

This thornless rose grows like the Bourbons but bears Gallica-like flat blooms of a muted cerise lilac. ‘Reine des Violettes’ makes a chunky bush about five feet square with glossy leaves which require hard pruning in early spring to keep it compact.

Prior to 1818

2 to 3 feet    Z6-11 R mp

A very dwarf shrub with a continuous display of small, but nicely shaped, double, lilac-pink flowers less than 1/2 inch across. One of the varieties of R. chinensis minima, 'Rouletii' was discovered rather far from its native ground, growing in window pots of cottages in a Swiss village. This diminutive plant is excellent as a low border, and an obvious natural for containers.

1859

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr W

This rose, named for the Dutch painter, is as large and full-blown as the ladies for whom that great master’s works are famous. As if it had been painted several hundred years ago and the varnish allowed to age, these roses are a lovely tawny color with shades of rose. This rose would be an excellent white choice to incorporate into your garden.

Prior to 1837

6 to 12 feet   Z5-11 O Fr m

Gifted with many names because of its continued popularity ("Russells Cottage", "Scarlet Grevillea", "Old Spanish Rose", "Souvenir de la Bataille de Marengo") this hybrid of R. multiflora is in a class by itself. The very double, medium-size flowers of crimson mauve fading to lilac cover the bush in color each Spring. The scent is Damask, and the foliage is quite distinct- large, rich blue-green, deeply veined, and unmistakable. 'Russelliana' has been grown as a shrub, a climber, and as a pillar rose.

1839

4 to 6 feet   Z7-11 R Fr ab

Though its parents are unknown, ‘Safrano’ is recorded by Roy Shepherd as "the result of the first successful attempt to control parentage by hand pollination", thereby introducing a new era in rose breeding. This rose has double, well scented flowers of bright fawn, with long-pointed buds. It was once described exhibiting "lovely buds of sunset coloring... saffron to apricot in the bud, changing to pale buff... A pretty and hardy variety, worthy of a place in every collection..." The new shoots of foliage are plum colored, contrasting nicely with the blossoms.

1817

15 to 20 feet  Z5-11 O pb

Both this rose and R. multiflora carnea were painted by Redouté in France and both are frequently found in early Texas gardens. By the effort that it took to transport them through the intervening miles, those early settlers have left their own testimony about the need for beauty in even the most rugged human existence. ‘Seven Sisters’ is named for the variety of colors that can appear in each cluster of flowers, ranging from carmine through purple, mauve, pink, and cream as the flowers fade.

1880

8 to 12 feet   Z6-11 R Fr w

This healthy but thorny climber was previous sold by us as 'Colonial White.’ The creamy white blooms of 'Sombreuil' are very large, flat, and quartered, with a most delicious Tea fragrance. The plant is reportedly free from mildew. This mannerly climber is ideally suited for use as a pillar rose, or training on a low wall, fence, or trellis. This is the perfect rose to include in your "night" garden design.

1843

3 to 4 feet    Z6-11 R Fr lp

Originally known as 'Queen of Beauty and Fragrance' this rose received its present name when one of the Grand Dukes of Russia obtained a specimen from the gardens at Malmaison for the Imperial Garden in St. Petersburg. 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' produces large, flat, quartered blossoms with petals of pale, almost flesh colored pink and a delightful fragrance. The compact bush rarely grows more than three feet, seemingly spending all its energy on blooming rather than growing.

1824

4 to 6 feet   Z5-11 O Fr mp

 Architecturally beautiful at all times of the year, the 'Swamp Rose' has graceful, arching, and nearly thornless branches with narrow, willow-like leaves. This is a native American rose, growing across the South and East in moist, swampy ground. Its ability to grow in poorly drained soil as well as in normal garden conditions make it an anomaly among roses, but very versatile in the landscape. No plant could be more beautiful weeping into a stream or reflecting pond. The flowers appear in late spring, after most species have finished blooming. They are vivid pink, double, and very showy. Redout painted this rose in the garden of Empress Josephine of France.