Shrub Roses
ALBA ROSES: This class dates back to the middle ages. The blooms are always shades of white or pink and have bluish leaves. Albas are amongst the hardiest of roses and will survive in poor soil and shaded positions. Some varieties can be trained as climbers.
BOURBON ROSES: The original bourbon rose was found in the Isle de Bourbon, east of Madagascar, an important point for French ships sailing between the Far East and Europe in the 18th Century. They are mostly repeat flowering, slender plants.
CENTIFOLIA ROSES: The original Centifolia roses appeared towards the of the 16th Century. The blooms are generally large, Globular and very fragrant.
CHINA ROSES: Brought to Europe in the 18th Century. Ideal for planting in borders or in pots and flower repeatedly throughout the season. Some are suitable for training as climbers.
DAMASK & PORTLAND ROSES: Probably brought to Europe from the MIddle East by the Crusaders. Flowers borne in loose clusters
GALLICA ROSES: Probably the oldest of garden roses, having been grown by the Greeks & Romans. These plants form short, bushy shrubs and are very hardy.
HYBRID MUSK ROSES: Free flowering and versatile. Good as a specimen, group or hedge. Most were raised by Revd. Joseph Pemberton from Essex in the 1920s.
HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES: Popular roses of the Victorian & Edwardian eras. Repeat flowering & strongly scented. The darker colours grow well in partial shade, or as climbers on north facing walls.
MODERN SHRUB ROSES: Most modern shrub roses are hybrids of old and species roses. Most are robust and free flowering.
MOSS ROSES: Moss roses have a moss-like growth on their sepals which produces a contrasting fragrance to that of the bloom.
POLYANTHA ROSES: First brought to Europe from Japan in 1865. Flowers are borne in tightly packed clusters and bloom continuously. These are ideal for a smaller garden.
RUGOSA ROSES: Brought to Europe from Japan in 1779. Rugosas will grow in poor conditions and have good disease resistance. They are characerised by their deeply veined leaves, prickly stems and large hips.
SPECIES, SWEEBRIARS AND PIMPINELLIFOLIAS: Noted for their elegant growth and simple flowers, they are ideal for open or "wild" areas of the garden but also effective in borders.
Agnes (Rugosa) Introduced 1922
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.8mX1.2m
Fragrance: Delicious
Ballerina (Modern Shrub) Introduced 1937
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.2mx1.0m
Fragrance: Slight
Bonica (Modern Shrub) Introduced 1982
GOLD STANDARD
Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.2mx1.5m
Fragrance: Slight
Boule de Neige (Bourbon) Introduced 1867
Suitable for hedging/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.2mx1.0m
Fragrance: Strong
Buff Beauty (Hybrid Musk) Introduced 1939
Tolerates shade/ Can be grown as climber/Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Good
Canary Bird (Species) Introduced 1900
Tolerates shade/ Can be grown as climber/Suitable for hedging/ Spring flowering
Size: 1.8mx1.8m
Fragrance: Good
Cardinal de Richlieu (Galica) Introduced 1840
Summer flowering/Almost thornless
Size: 1.2m x 1.0m
Fragrance: Slight
Comte de Chambord (Damask) Introduced 1860
Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.2mx1.0m
Fragrance: Good
Felicia (Hybrid Musk) Introduced 1928
Suitable for hedging/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.5m
Fragrance: Excellent
Ferdinand Pichard (Hybrid Perpetual) Introduced 1921
Suitable for heding/ Tolerate poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Rich
La Reine Victoria (Bourbon) Introduced 1872
Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.0m
Fragrance: Strong
Little White Pet (Polyantha) Introduced 1879
Shade tolerant/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 0.6mx0.6m
Fragrance: Delicate
Louise Odier (Bourbon) Introduced 1851
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Repat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Rich
Madame Hardy (Damask) Introduced 1832
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.5m
Fragrance: Good
Madame Isaac Periere (Bourbon) Introduced 1851
Shade tolerant/ Can be grown as a climber/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Strong
Moonlight (Hybrid Musk) Introduced 1913
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Strong
Officinalis (The Apothecary's Rose) (Gallica) Introduced pre1300
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering
Size: 1.2mx1.0m
Fragrance: None
Penelope (Hybrid Musk) Introduced 1924
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.8mx1.8m
Fragrance: Good
Queen of Denmark (Konigen von Danemark) (Alba) Introduced 1826
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Summer flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Very strong
Rosa Moyesii Geranium (Species) Introduced 1938
Shade tolerant/ Can be grown as a climber/ Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering
Size: 2.4mx1.8m
Fragrance: None
Rosa Mundi (gallica) a.k.a. gallica versicolor
Introdced C16
Shade tolerant. Suitable for hedging.
Tolerates poor soil.
Summer flowering
Size 1.2x1.0m
Fragrance: Medium
Rose de Rescht (Damask) Introduced 1807
Repeat flowering
Size: 1.0m x 0.6m
Fragrance: Strong
Roseraie de l'Hay (Rugosa) Introduced 1901
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering/ Abundant hips
Size: 2.1mx2.1m
Fragrance: Strong
Rubrifolia (R. Glauca) (Species) Introduced pre1830
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering/ Grown for grey foliage & abundant hips
Size: 1.8mx1.8m
Fragrance: None
Sally Holmes (Modern Shrub) Introduced 1976
Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Good
Souvenir de la Malmaison (Bourbon) Introduced 1843
Repeat flowering
Size: 1.0mx1.0m
Fragrance: Strong
Souvenir du Dr Jamain (Hybrid Perpetual) Introduced 1865
Shade tolerant/ Can be grown as a climber/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.2m
Fragrance: Strong, Rich
Tall Story (Modern Shrub) Introduced 1984
Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 0.9mx0.9m
Fragrance: Good
The Fairy (Polyantha) Introduced 1910
Shade tolerant/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 0.6mx1.0m
Fragrance: None
Tuscany Superb (Gallica) Introduced pre1848
Can be grown as a climber/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering
Size: 1.5mx1.5m
Fragrance: Good
Westerland (Modern Shrub) Introduced 1969
Shade tolerant/ Can be grown as a climber/ Suitable for hedging/ Tolerates poor soil/ Repeat flowering
Size: 1.8mx1.2m
Fragrance: Strong
William Lobb (Old Velvet Moss) (Moss) Introduced 1855
Tolerates poor soil/ Summer flowering
Size: 1.8mx1.5m
Fragrance: Good
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