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.

1759

5 to 15 feet    Z7-11 O Fr w

A native of southern China and Taiwan, this rose was introduced early to North America and has now become thoroughly established here. It was first botanically described from a specimen growing in Georgia, and is that states official flower. 'The Cherokee Rose' is a mounding bush to about 5 feet, or a thickly foliaged climber to 15 feet with neat, apple-green leaves. In the spring, fragrant, pure white, 5-petaled flowers appear and cleanly drop their petals to disclose star-shaped sepals. It is one of the best for naturalizing in the South, since it does not sucker (unlike the 'Macartney Rose', with which it is often confused) and offers an outstanding floral display in return for very little care.

1909

10 to 15 feet   Z5-11 O Fr m

Often called "The Blue Rose", this vigorous, nearly thornless rambler has small crimson or purple blossoms that fade to a grey-blue color. Although literature indicates a tendency to re-bloom, we have not witnessed this occurrence. Seen up close, there are streaks of white in each flower and the gold stamens are brightly displayed. Fragrance is excellent.

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.

1956

10 to 12 feet    Z4-11 O ab

Kordes produced ‘Alchymist’ by crossing a R. eglanteria hybrid with the large-flowered climber, ‘Golden Glow’. The result is a fat, swirled, billowy bloom in mixed shades of yellow, apricot, peach, and gold; a flower that is visually compatible with old roses of almost all colors on a plant that is carefree and disease resistant. ‘Alchymist’ blooms in the Spring with a display of floral wealth that almost makes one believe its roses have been transmuted into gold.