Prior to 1894

4 to 6 feet    Z6-11 R yb

This most interesting rose was once sold as ‘Tipo Ideale’, and it is ideally suited to illustrate the typical China trait of darkening with age, instead of fading. Nowhere is that trait more visible than in the flowers of ‘Mutabilis’, whose single petals open sulfur yellow, changing through orange to a rich pink and finally crimson. Bright, silky flowers of all these colors will often be on display at the same time, looking as if a group of multi-colored butterflies has settled on the bush. This aspect earned ‘Mutabilis’ its common name–"The Butterfly Rose". A healthy, well-branched shrub, ‘Mutabilis’ will easily grow to 6 feet, making a fine specimen plant whose showy flowers are accented by the bronze color of the new growth. This is a very popular rose due to its distinct coloration.

1832

3 to 6 feet    Z7-11 R Fr mr

This fine old rose has velvety, rich crimson flowers with a silvery reverse and a deliciously fruity fragrance. The double, cupped form of the blossoms is distinctive, keeping with the rounded shape even when fully open. Like all true Chinas, it is very nearly everblooming in a warm climate. The leaves are small, neatly shaped, dark green, and very healthy. The plant has an upright habit and, if left unpruned, will slowly grow to over five feet tall and equally wide. 'Cramoisi Superieur' or 'Agrippina', as it is sometimes still called, is one of the old roses that can often be found in country gardens of Texas and the South. It is a valuable and beautiful landscape plant that provides almost continuous color.

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.

1869

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr w

Regarded as the only white China rose, ‘Ducher’ blooms a soft ivory-white for us. The buds are very round and sometimes have a hint of pink on the outer petals opening to a delicate swirl of fragrant ivory petals. Smaller than many Chinas, this is a good candidate for a container. Although it exhibits the typical bronzy new growth, the foliage of ‘Ducher’ is uncharacteristically light green.

Prior to 1837

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr rb

Thomas Rivers called 'Archduke Charles' "changeable as the chameleon". The full, very shapely flowers open with crimson outer petals and neat pink centers, then darken to solid crimson. The heat of the sun speeds the process: what appears to be a bi-color hedge in spring and fall will be all red roses in mid-summer. The neat, erect bush and constant bloom help make this one of our most popular varieties.

Prior to 1845

3 to 5 feet  Z6-11 R Fr green

Every garden needs a conversation piece and the ‘Green Rose’ definitely fits that bill. This most rewarding rose is always in bloom. Granted the blooms may be hard to detect, but once you know what you are looking at, you’ll find the bush is literally smothered. Perfect for floral arrangements or dried in bouquets, this rose lends its unique texture and contrasting color of green and bronze. Fragrance is spicy with a hint of pepper. You can expect continual bloom from this nicely rounded shrub throughout the season. A definite eye catcher!!

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."

Prior to 1837

3 to 4 feet    Z6-11 R Fr lp

This lavender-pink, fragrant 'Hermosa' rose is double, cupped, and beautifully shaped; many rosarians suspect Bourbon influence in its breeding. It was long popular as a container plant for European window gardens and its low, compact form is well suited for any small garden or for a massed effect in a larger border.

1984

2 to 3 feet   Z7-11 R mr

Bright scarlet, neat single flowers open flat to decorate a bushy shrub whose neat foliage has a dark red tinge. This is a handsome plant, and due to its size serves as an excellent choice for a low hedge or border. Our original cuttings come from a Navasota gardener, Martha Gonzales, whose display of ‘Mrs. Dudley Cross’, ‘Old Blush’ and this rose could be seen from blocks away. ‘Martha Gonzales’ has become very popular with area landscapers for mass plantings and large drifts.

1879

8 to 12 feet  Z6-11 F Fr lp

'Setina' is a lovely and useful climbing form of 'Hermosa' with thin, elegant canes that are easily trained on a trellis or pillar. Small clusters of lavender pink, fragrant, cupped blossoms (just like its parent) are borne very regularly throughout the growing season. 'Setina' is one of the best repeat-flowering, climbing antique roses.

1885

10 to 15 feet Z7-9 R Fr mr

The climbing sport of 'Cramoisi Superieur'.

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.

1887

3 to 5 feet    Z7-11 R Fr pb

'Madame Laurette Messimy' has clusters of rounded buds that open to soft, salmon-pink, semi-double flowers with a touch of yellow at the base of the petals. Gifted with a true rose fragrance, this rose is ideal for growing in a pot where it can be easily appreciated. Strong sun burns off the fragrant oils, so make sure to "stop and smell the roses" during the morning hours.

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.

1903

5 to 6 feet    Z6-11 R Fr yb

'Arethusa’ is a vivid apricot-colored rose with thick foliage on a compact bush. This color is rare in the China group as most are pinks and reds. The blooms are well-formed and are produced freely in sprays throughout the growing season. Good fragrance and foliage are but a few of this rose’s attributes.