Alba Roses
Many think this ancient variety produces the most
elegant of the old roses. Probably distributed by the Romans, Albas were
often shown in Renaissance paintings (C.f. Botticelli's
Birth of Venus).
The roses are either white, pink, or blush, of beautiful
form, and scented. They have one annual flowering, in late spring or early
summer. Red hips form on those with single or semi-double blooms. The shrubs
are vigorous, cold-hardy and tolerant of part shade. Planted close together
they will form an impenetrable hedge. They can be pruned in late winter
or early spring to remove old or badly placed wood.
Belle Amour
This beautiful rose, soft pink with salmon overtones,
was discovered in a French convent garden.The large flowers have a myrrh
fragrance, are semi-double, show yellow stamens, and appear abundantly
early in the season. 5'.
Koenigin von Danemarck
Elegant blue-green foliage sets off clear pink
blooms that are quartered, cupped, and strongly perfumed. Graham Thomas
calls them "almost unequalled" in form. At ~5', this is a beautiful rose
to plant behind a perennial garden. Petals are good for potpourri. (1826)
Maiden's Blush, Great Maiden's Blush
This popular old rose has a good shape and lovely,
delicate flowers. Pale blush-pink buds open with deeper pink centers on
large, sweetly fragrant blooms. Arching canes with healthy grey-green foliage
can be pegged down for increased blooming. May occasionally repeat. 4'
and 6'. (before 1738)
Maxima
As the Jacobite rose, it rallied the supporters
of Bonnie Prince Charlie; earlier it was the 'Great White Rose' described
by Albertus Magnus and Crescentius in the 13th century. Flower shape is
informal. It opens with blush tints, then passes to creamy white. The semi-double
blossoms are followed by orange-red hips on a 7', rather gaunt, shrub.(~1450)
Mme. Plantier
Pink buds open to creamy white, very fragrant
pompoms and age to pure white.This graceful, arching shrub was a favorite
for cemetery planting. An alba hybrid with a noisette, it can be trained
as a climber. 5'-8'. (1835)
Semi-plena
A lovely, graceful shrub, this also is a legendary
rose, the 'White Rose of York'. Pure white, it has fewer petals than 'Maxima'
allowing it to show its golden stamens. Elongated orange-red hips adorn
this 6' shrub in the fall. 5' (before 1473)
Copyright © 2000 Orion Farm
