Few rose lovers realize how versatile shrub roses can be. The value and use of the popular bedding type roses are well known, but other members of the rose family deserve more consideration for decorative garden purposes.
Under the heading “Shrub Roses” come the species, the old roses, and a few moderns. Indeed they are far superior to many of the shrubs we have used in the past, and it isn’t easy to understand why their value as landscape material has never been fully appreciated.
Shrub Roses Features
The members of this group bear blossoms of every color known to the room—white, yellow, all shades of pink, red crimson, purple, and some interestingly striped and variegated.
Practically all are sturdy, hardy shrubs, intensely fragrant, and not too particular for soil or location. Some will thrive in swampy areas, and others grow best in soil supporting but few other shrubs.
The wild roses of the world are referred to as species roses so that they may be distinguished from the hybrid or garden roses.
At one time, they were thought to be only of botanical value, but in recent years the public has become aware of their considerable horticultural value. Like most flowering shrubs, the majority bloom but once a year.
However, many produce an abundance of seed pods, or hips, of various colors, thus prolonging their period of attractiveness well into the winter.
The freely produced blossoms are usually single and denote the simplicity and beauty lacking in most of our modern roses.
The old-fashioned roses are a bit more exacting than the species in their soil requirements but considerably less so than the modem roses.
They constitute the link between the roses of the field and those of the modern garden and are ideal for that in-between spot for which the species are too vigorous and the hybrid teas not sufficiently sturdy.
During the past few years, we have had several additions to the list of shrub roses—the hybrid musks, hybrid spinosissimus, and more complex parentage.
Some rival the hybrid teas in the perfection of blossom, repeating bloom off and on all summer, and are pretty hardy and robust.
In these various groups, many desirable rose family members could be planted to advantage as background material, used on the border, or to form an impenetrable and attractive hedge. Several could be placed as specimens in the formal garden.
The species of roses offer possibilities for naturalizing. Most will thrive in poor soil and under adverse conditions, so they will be valuable in covering spots where other shrubs cannot exist.
Rose Species
Here are a few of the better sorts that are available from horticulturists.
Rosa Carolina is ideal for naturalizing as it spreads rapidly and is attractive in growth, foliage, blossoms (bright pink), and hips.
Rosa nitida is somewhat similar but rarely exceeds two feet in height; the former attains 3′ to 6′ feet.
Rosa palustris naturalizes well in swampy locations and reaches 8′ feet. The 2″ inch-pink blossoms are produced over a long period.
Rosa spinosissima is difficult to surpass as a compact, low-growing hedge. It is not particular to the soil. The relatively small white blossoms seem to cover the very thorny canes.
Hips are black, and there are many of them. Naturalizes well or can be kept sheared to a height lower than its standard 3′ feet.
Rosa altaica is a Siberian form of the former and grows to 8′ feet. It is exceptionally hardy and produces large white blossoms and black hips on an attractive well-formed plant. It can be grown as a specimen.
The rugosa roses, Rosa rugosa, are very much at home in various soils and appear to do equally well in sandy or heavy clay soils.
The flowers of the species are quite large, white, pink, or deep rose, followed by large red hips. Foliage is very heavy and coarse. A long-lived, 6′ foot shrub rose.
Rosa hugonis (Colden Rose of China) is probably the best-known of all rose species. The bright yellow blossoms are produced along the arching 6′ to 8′ foot canes in early May.
It prefers impoverished soil. Rosa primula is similar in blossom form, color, and season but rarely exceeds 5′ feet in height. The plant is more rigid in growth and prefers better soil.
Rosa rubrifolia, the red-leaved rose, oilers a pleasing contrast. The blossoms are small and unimportant, but the reddish foliage is attractive. It grows 6′ feet high.
Rosa moyesi is somewhat temperamental in the habit of growth. It may be either gorgeous or mediocre, but it is worth trying.
The blood-red flowers, attractive foliage, and exciting seed hips make it worth the gamble. Under ideal conditions, it will attain 10′ feet but rarely reach 6′ feet.
Rosa multiflora resembles the wild blackberry in the size and color of its blossoms but produces so many of them that it is very desirable and attractive as a large shrub.
Many small, red seed hips that persist all winter or until eaten by the birds add much to their value.
Originally used as an understock, it is now famous for woodland planting and hedge fencing. Will “turn” cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs and form a good game cover.
Rosa Roxburghii grows to 8′ feet. The large, pale pink blossoms are followed by prickly hips resembling chestnut burrs. The bark is similar to that of the sycamore. The foliage is magnificent.
Rosa Alda is a hybrid species. This rose’s several forms have blooms ranging from pure white to pale blush and single to double. All are fragrant. The average height is 6′ feet.
Related: Hedge Planting of Roses
Hybrid Rugosa Roses
Many other species of roses could be mentioned, but I believe the preceding constitutes a small representative collection.
The large family of hybrid rugosas varies in degree of hardiness and stature and includes varieties of practically all the popular colors. A few of the better ones are listed below.
- AMELIE GRAVEREAUX is red, double, hardy, and vigorous. Height is 8 feet.
- Agnes is pale amber-gold, double, 6′ feet, and hardy.
- Blanc Double de Coubert is white, semi-double, hardy, and spreading. Height is 4′ feet.
- F. J. Grootendorst has clusters of bright red flowers that have serrated edges. Vigorous but can be pruned to any height.
- Hardy Grootendorst Supreme is a somewhat deeper red, and Pink Grootendorst is a pink form.
- Mrs. Anthony Waterer has almost purple flowers, very hardy and vigorous.
- Sir Thomas Lipton produces snowy white blooms on a 6′ to 8′ foot plant.
Hybrid Musk Roses
The hybrid musks are semi-hardy, offer a wide range of colors, and are perfect shrub roses if properly pruned.
They bloom in clusters and repeat. Mixed musk roses may require protection in exposed areas.
Examples are:
- Belinda is a bright rose pink to mauve, single.
- Clytemnestra is salmon, semi-double.
- Francis E. Lester is white and single.
- Kathleen is blush pink, single!
- Penelope is shell pink and semi-double.
Spinosissima Hybrid Roses
There are several spinosissima hybrids, but only three are outstanding.
Stanwell Perpetual is a low-growing shrub rose. The double, fragrant blush pink blooms are not produced freely but are borne all season continuously.
Karl Forester is very vigorous, growing roses to 8′ feet. The blossoms are huge, double, high-centered, and white and resemble those of its parent Frau Karl Druschki.
Spring cold (Fruhlingsgold) blooms heavily in the spring and may occasionally bloom in the fall. Flowers are huge, single-fragrant, and yellow. Grows to 8′ feet. Very hardy.
Other Shrub Roses
Four shrub roses of merit cannot be placed in either of the preceding classes but should Find a place in the garden.
Hon. Lady Lindsay is not dependably hardy in the colder areas, but the double pink flowers are exceedingly attractive and are produced freely. Very fragrant to 5’ feet. Deserves protection where it is required.
Autumn Bouquet and Fragrant Beauty are two good everblooming shrub roses whose blossoms resemble and compare favorably with those of the hybrid teas.
The former is pink, the latter red. They have withstood zero temperatures in my garden without injury. No protection has been given to them—height 4′ to 5′ feet.
Pike’s Peak blooms once a season, extending for about six weeks. Usually classed as a climber but makes an ideal shrub as the canes are rigid enough to be self-supporting.
Blossoms are 3” inches in diameter, semi-double, old rose pink with shades of red and yellow. Spectacular when in bloom and very hardy.
Old Fashioned Roses
The old-fashioned roses should not be overlooked as shrubs. They are tough and hardy and give us many exciting shades.
Examples are:
- Cardinal de Richelieu is often referred to as the blue rose but is a dark, rich violet or purple, double, fragrant. Height 4′ feet.
- Desiree Parmentier is large, double, vivid pink with a darker center. Height 4′ feet.
- Harison’s Yellow is an ancient yellow semi-double variety. Height 8′ feet.
- Goethe is the best red moss rose. Height 5′ feet.
- Rosa Mundi is large, semi-double variegated, white, pink, and red. Height 3′ feet.
- Salet is probably the only dependable everblooming moss rose. It is pink and heavily modded. Height 5′ feet.
- Variegata di Bologna is another variegated rose that appeals to many people. The blossoms are white, striped magenta, and produced in three to five clusters. Height is 6′ feet tall.
44659 by Roy E. Shepherd