All
roses fall into the same genus, but
can be divided into smaller groups
such as the beautiful shrub roses.
Understanding a little about the history
of the old roses developed before
the introduction of the first hybrid
tea rose. These plants are grown for
their historic interest, color, fragrance
and ability to survive adverse conditions.
Alba
Roses: The Albas are one
of the oldest races of the rose. Albas
form tall shrubs with smooth stems
arching up to 6 feet. They have few
thorns. The albas have dense, bluish
green foliage. They are exquisitely
beautiful garden plants, even when
not in bloom. Their fragrant blossoms
are generally white to blush pink.
Albas are resistant to disease and
grow into large, healthy shrubs. Albas
are unusual shade-tolerant roses.
They will grow in the open shade of
a north-facing wall or under tall
trees.
Bourbons
Roses: The Bourbons are named
after their place of origin, the lle
de Bourbon, an island in the southern
Indian Ocean. Bourbons are intensely
fragrant. They grow into large shrubs
of around 3ft to vigorous climbers
of 12 ft. They are susceptible to
disease, but are grown for the beauty
and fragrance of their prolific flowers
and for their vigor. They range in
color from deep reds through pinks
to blush and white. Bourbons are well-suited
to all areas of South Carolina, but
will need extra care to control disease.
Centifolias:
The “Roses of a hundred petals”,
also known as the Provence Roses,
are centuries old, and make superb
shrubs. The more vigorous forms usually
produce large flowers of exquisite
shape and perfume with the shorter
types producing very double flowers,
almost invariably in perfect proportion
to the size of the plant. As gorgeous
as they are, the Centifolia can be
cumbersome in growth and difficult
to situate in the garden.
China
Roses: The China roses originated
as far back as the 10th century, perhaps
before. Chinas come in a wide range
of colours, and many highly perfumed.
They can be used as bedding in mixed
or even specimen planting. However,
they are not the hardiest of roses
and will need some extra protection
in colder areas. They do make rewarding
greenhouse or conservatory plants.
Damasks:
The Damasks are a very old family
of roses, noted for its scent in the
Middle East where they were used for
the extraction of attar to produce
perfume. It is unknown when they first
came to Europe, but is estimated to
be around the Roman era.
All
roses fall into the same genus, but
can be divided into smaller groups
such as the beautiful shrub roses.
Understanding a little about the history
of the old roses developed before
the introduction of the first hybrid
tea rose. These plants are grown for
their historic interest, color, fragrance
and ability to survive adverse conditions.
Alba
Roses: The Albas are one
of the oldest races of the rose. Albas
form tall shrubs with smooth stems
arching up to 6 feet. They have few
thorns. The albas have dense, bluish
green foliage. They are exquisitely
beautiful garden plants, even when
not in bloom. Their fragrant blossoms
are generally white to blush pink.
Albas are resistant to disease and
grow into large, healthy shrubs. Albas
are unusual shade-tolerant roses.
They will grow in the open shade of
a north-facing wall or under tall
trees.
Bourbons
Roses: The Bourbons are named
after their place of origin, the lle
de Bourbon, an island in the southern
Indian Ocean. Bourbons are intensely
fragrant. They grow into large shrubs
of around 3ft to vigorous climbers
of 12 ft. They are susceptible to
disease, but are grown for the beauty
and fragrance of their prolific flowers
and for their vigor. They range in
color from deep reds through pinks
to blush and white. Bourbons are well-suited
to all areas of South Carolina, but
will need extra care to control disease.
Centifolias:
The “Roses of a hundred petals”,
also known as the Provence Roses,
are centuries old, and make superb
shrubs. The more vigorous forms usually
produce large flowers of exquisite
shape and perfume with the shorter
types producing very double flowers,
almost invariably in perfect proportion
to the size of the plant. As gorgeous
as they are, the Centifolia can be
cumbersome in growth and difficult
to situate in the garden.
China
Roses: The China roses originated
as far back as the 10th century, perhaps
before. Chinas come in a wide range
of colours, and many highly perfumed.
They can be used as bedding in mixed
or even specimen planting. However,
they are not the hardiest of roses
and will need some extra protection
in colder areas. They do make rewarding
greenhouse or conservatory plants.
Damasks:
The Damasks are a very old family
of roses, noted for its scent in the
Middle East where they were used for
the extraction of attar to produce
perfume. It is unknown when they first
came to Europe, but is estimated to
be around the Roman era. 
