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.