SPECIES

How could I call myself a grower of old roses if I didn't have some species roses in my garden?  Our property isn't large (3/4 acre), but species thrive if I choose and site them carefully. Fortunately, many species like to climb, so that takes care of much of the space problem.  When people see a species rose in my garden they often say "Oh, that looks just like a wild rose!"  Well, that's just another way of looking at it: species roses are ones that occur in nature; they have not been hybridized.  Seeds of species roses will result in an offspring true to the parent plant.  All are singles with 5 petals (except for R. sericea which has four) and bloom but once in the summer.  Species roses bring a relaxed plant form into the garden and produce large bushes or sprawling climbers.  Obviously, not many would be suited to the small garden, unless you cleverly send them up a tree or onto a building.

R. X DUPONTII  Has particularly large single blooms for a rambler, with gorgeous stamens providing drama.  It's a stunning rose in full bloom.   My plant gracefully drapes itself along a hedge and has a pleasant fragrance.  Health is EX

 

R. EGLANTERIA  An old dense shrub to 10 feet, often found in the hedgerows of England.  Relaxed upright habit.  Also known as Sweet Briar.  Fragrant foliage and grand hips follow pink single blooms.  Health is EX

 

R. GLAUCA  Often sought merely for the unique plum grey foliage that adds so much to the landscape.  There's further  color treats  offered in this plant: red stems, petite cerise single blooms, and fine red hips.  A star!  Health is EX 

 

R. LUCIAE ONOEI  1800s.  Used to hybridize wichurana ramblers of Victorian times.  A dense, spreading mat of petite foliage.  A slow grower.  The small white bloom is of little consequence -- it's the growth habit that is so attractive.  Health is EX

R. SERICEA PTERACANTHA  Ferny leaves and huge wedge-like, translucent red thorns on the young canes.  Great with backlighting from the sun.  Health is EX

R. X CANTABRIGIENSIS  Lightly arching upright canes, clothed in yellow stars, looking much like forsythia in shape and bloom size.  A delight in Spring.  The leaves have the dainty fern-like appearance of the Pimpinellifolias.  The shrub can reach 7 or more feet and old canes should be periodically cut out to keep fresh ones coming.   Health is EX

 

R. WICHURANA  The granddaddy of many of today's ramblers.  A great rambling ground cover, dense, with dark green foliage.  Clusters of small single white blooms cover the plant for a brief period in summer.  Health is EX

 

 

R. WILLMOTTIAE  My plant brightens a semi-shady corner with its tiny bright pink blooms all along the arching canes.  Although a big plant (over 8 feet) leaves and blooms are on a delicate scale.   A long bloomer in summer.  Health is EX