I have heard about the great attributes of old-fashioned or antique roses. What do you know about them?

Answer 1

Hello,
You just have to take a look over at the sites I posted.
The gardenweb sites have a forum just for antique roses.
You will find plenty of good advice and info at all the sites, also, though.
I've learned much from these sites and others, hope you do, too.
Dave

Answer 2

The thing I like most about them are their disease resistance. I've all but given up on growing 'Hybrid Teas' and their cousins. They are too inbred and prone to problems. I have a few roses that I had moved from my house (which my father and family were raised in), to my new home. Three of the five are taller than me (over 6') or wider than my reach (6' or more). I have little or no blackspot, they receive no winter protection, and produce copious flowers in June. I also get a lovely set of 'rose hips' in the fall.

Take a look at www.greatlakesroses.com They grow a variety of 'antique' roses. They are not a mail order house, but have a very knowledgeable staff.

I hope that this helps

Answer 3

Love them. Unfortunately most antique roses bloom once a year. But the spendid fragrance! I have two ramblers Cecil Brunner (over 8 years old) covering an arbour - very high. It produces tiny little roses, scent is spicey-floral. The fragrance carries along our street Last year they cascaded down and looked like a rose waterfall. Not unlike the photos you might see in a rose book.

I have a mix of roses though, David Austin produces an excellent English type of rose - check the web site. Most have scent and rebloom.

Answer 4

The easiest old garden roses to raise are the Teas (not Hybrid Teas, just "Teas") and the Chinas. For the most part the others are not any easier to grow than the modern roses. But they are beautiful and have a different, more cabbagey look that is really beautiful. Check out chambleeroses.com for descriptions of some good old and good modern roses and excellent prices.

Answer 5

Though these plants do have some redeeming features, they are not what most people want in a garden rose. Many consider Belinda's Rose (Belinda's Dream) to be the best (most desirable qualities of disease resistant, fragrance, durability, flower form) rose in the world.