SHRUB  

Shrub roses are a motley crew of modern (post 1920) hybrids of mixed parentage removed a few generations from species.  They are useful as landscaping roses, given their "shrub type" growth habit and heights varying from 3 to 8 feet.  People also value their continuity of bloom.    Most of these roses benefit from a fall trim of 1/3 to 1/2 to keep snow and wind from laying them low.  I place the David Austin roses here.  Other shrubs closer to their species ancestry are placed in the appropriate species classes.

CAMBRIDGE  A charming Poulsen hybrid.  The plant is profusely covered with large clusters of pink and white blooms along the lightly arching canes.  It and Diamond Head are among my most vigorous nonstop bloomers.   Groups of this rose make  a fine shrubby hedge or groundcover.  Health is EX

DIAMOND HEAD  Hybridized by Poulsen.  Clusters of bright semi-double medium sized blooms perch firmly on this bushy plant.  The shiny dark green foliage itself looks good in the general landscape.   Health is EX

DUSKY MAIDEN  As the name implies, this rose is a gorgeous dusky tone (red) on a strong plant with dark green foliage.  Does best with some tying up or support and will bloom much of the summer.  Health is VG

 

          FLORA DANICA  Vibrant peachy tones on a

          plant I haven't fully assessed yet.  Health is G

   

 

FRITZ NOBIS   The small gray-green leaves provide a nice foil for the lovely blush pink blooms.  It is a dense bush abundantly covered in good-sized double flowers.  Health is VG

GRAHAM THOMAS  A D.A. rose.  An upright bush to taller than you probably want (over 8 feet) with cup-shaped deep butter yellow blooms.  I think it's the best of the Austin roses.  Strangely the health of this rose has improved with age; I was ready to chuck it a few years ago.  Health is VG

ISABELLE RENAISSANCE  Lovely dark red velvety blooms.  A very vigorous  plant with big shiny bright green leaves.  I don't like the stiff upright plant form of this rose, so I have placed it in the background where the foreground plants can soften its stark form.   Health is G

JULIA RENAISSANCE  A lush cupped bloom of delicate light pink.  The leaves are a bit finer than the rest of the Renaissance class of blooms.  Health is G

 

MORNING MIST Great hot colors of deep pink, peach and yellow.  A showstopper of a single on an attractive bush.  The buds of this rose are particularly attractive being fat and a vibrant deep pink.   A recent D.A hybrid,  and one of his better ones.  Very fragrant.  Health is VG

 

PRAIRIE PRINCESS  Large semi-double masses of lovely pink blooms on an upright bushy plant.  Health is VG

 

ROSE D'AMOUR  A tall shrub to 7 feet with fully double scrolled pink blend blooms, that have a Victorian delicacy about them and a light fragrance.    Although tall, the canes and blooms seem fairly petite.  Health is EX

SALLY HOLMES  A drooping shrub with huge trusses of blush to white blooms.  Since the blooms themselves are large, this rose commands attention in the landscape.  Health is VG

SOOKE HARBOUR  I found this rose in my son's yard in Sooke, hence it's name.  It seems to have disappeared from current nurseries, but I thought it worthwhile to resurrect it for its rare blooms that retain their closed cup shape.  The small cerise blooms are arranged in dainty clusters haphazardly along the stems.  Health is VG

 

SPROAT LAKE  Again, another rose found on our property that has been impossible to identify: our own wild rose.  A gorgeous cloud of light pink singles, each bloom lasting but one day.  We cut it back every few years when it starts getting ungainly or falling over from the weight of the snow.  All our roses should be so healthy!   Health is EX

SOPHIA RENAISSANCE  A gorgeous voluptuous rose hybridized to remind us of the fine old roses in both appearance and fragrance.  Clusters of large blooms seem almost to heavy for the plant to support.  I don't find the plant form has the grace of the old roses, but it is one fine bloomer!  Health is VG