Why old-fashioned roses?
The answer will not be found in a catalog of names or repetitious advice on planting and priming, all essential for happy shrubbery roses.
We suggest, instead, an air of old-fashioned interest. Through carelessness, someone said, we cut ourselves off from intellectual resources.
Many still think of caring for old-fashioned roses as old-fashioned religion: with respectful silences and enthusiasm only in so far as it will ensure a “better living” rather than a “better life.”
Rosa Multiflora And Mossy Family
Our emphasis for all-purpose rose shrubs, hedges, mixed borders, and soft landscape effects would be on Rosa multiflora and its mossy family.
To make a thrilling total of 6000 poor and good kinds, lost in the march of time, would include, as Dean Hole would say, a royal host of veterans: Gallicas, Damasks, Bourbons, Albas, Scotch, Irish and American natives, running back, 3000 years.
Noisette Hybrid
For the Noisette hybrid, a modern of 1800, we thank the American John Champneys, who crossed the musk and Chinese roses, which led to our famous yellow climbers and present-day hybrid teas.
The hunt for a natural blue is still on, despite repeated purple, crimson, and bluish-pink among the soft blushes of old-fashioned roses.
It would be very satisfying if anything new and thrilling could be written about this subject.
Older Rose Lovers
It would be doubly so if new enthusiasts could be instilled with the knowledge of the older rose lovers.
There is little to be gained by arguing for or against old-fashioned roses as a “must” for the lover of sentimentality and for preserving historical rose data.
These living antiques compare overwhelmingly with the hobby lobby for stamps, pictures, and pipes. Old roses we enjoy mossy to musky; pipes rusty to musty.
We are equally certain there is little desire to replace moderns with ancients and hold that given equal consideration for the area, time and expense, the old-fashioned will fill many needs that moderns may not.
Hybrid Teas
In fact, hybrid teas, with their high breeding and delicate merchandising uncertainties, often rarely pay off a lovely “La France” of 1867 with hope for “Peace” in our time.
The same popularity and requirements to “take it” are pending in the trials of public demands.
Before we risk the charge of “listening in” to a brilliant discussion by rose giants in the British trade paper, it would be wise to look at the record and appraise the value of their convictions for and against boosting old-fashioned roses.
We bow first in the direction of the practical down-to-the-business-earth champion and agree with him that we cannot live on sentiment or ignore breeding improvements.
This may well be the business approach, which reminds me that if we had more birds in our hands, there would be a precious few singing in the bushes.
Old-Fashioned Rose Festivals
On the contrary, we have to admit there is no loud cry for old-fashioned rose festivals for 1950. However, the supporters of sentimentality and utility should be encouraged to know there has been much evidence of a new look into the past around New York City.
The writer has been encouraged to check and assist in increasing rose species in five quarters.
They are good at drawing cards at the two old botanical gardens, and a new one just opened on a limited scale at the World’s Fair gardens 10 years ago.
That is also true at the “Queen’s Botanical Society, Kew Gardens.” Requests by the Nutley, N. J. Historical Society have been recognized to have a collection in cooperation with the Nutley Township in England.
To cement the faith in our effort, read the decision of a third British expert outside the argument, who said, in effect, “a plague on both your pens” . . .
“As for me, I am greatly increasing my stock of old-fashioned species this year, as I have seen the demand since the beginning of World War II and am especially impressed by the improved R. moyesi, a magnificent bit of color.”
The Rose Book
Now we have another champion, Mr. G. M. Taylor, whose book, “The Rose,” highlights the merits of old-fashioneds in a fascinating, detailed history.
“Their simplicity,” he writes, “appealed to ancient kings, nobles, writers, painters and proletariat alike. Let me tell you that people love their subtle charm, lovely and profuse Summer flowering, some blooming from four to six weeks. They mingle well, yet have individuality all their own.”
While stressing the shrubbery and bold landscape uses, we cannot pass by the close-up perfections of the “fairy roses, origin Mauritius.”
Varieties For Gardens
- Miss Lawraneenna
- Oakington Ruby
- Pompon de Paris
- Rouletti is well known for its rock gardens, moist ledges, and border plantings.
Rouletti, from the Swiss mountains, is of debatable history. Two finders claim originals at a difference of 7000 feet altitude.
Space only permits the suggestion of a few for bold, rugged beauty:
- Damask and MUM Hardy, moss
- Comtesse de Murinais, clear silver pink
- Jeanne tie Montfort, crimson
- Goethe, crimson
- Mine. Louis Leveque, French
- Cardinal Richelieu. violet purple
- Dumortier, silver pink
- Marie Tudor, bright cherry red
- Rosa Mundi, white, red and pink
44659 by William J. Lag
Related: Old Roses Return To The Garden