Antique Roses - Proving That Old is Good!
Antique roses are finally making a comeback in today’s rose gardens. Easy to care for, richly fragrant and steadfast, these are more resistant to insects and disease than their more sensitive, modern relatives.
Old Garden Roses require far less major pruning and as shrubs or climbers, they work well for landscapes, especially since they don’t need to be confined to one rose bed. Many of these “heritage” roses also tolerate light shade, and require less water and fertilizer than the "newer" hybrid teas.
So why then did they fall out of popularity? Merely because of the “new” look hybrid teas and their sisters offered, with larger blooms and unusual colours. The hybrid tea is in fact the most recognized form of rose today. But in spite of its beauty, it lacks the same fragrance and needs much more maintenance.
A truly “full” and elegant rose garden though should include both antique and modern roses. One can truly enjoy and relish the lively personalities of both styles easily. Imagine an entire lawn filled with giant hybrid tea lavender blooms and sprays of antique pink fairy roses, as you breathe in the sweet perfume. Is that not a fantasy vision?
The other wonderful thing about antique roses is how staunchly they hold up to piles of snow or face the heat of summer. They adorn and they also provide cover to many a mother rabbit and babies, or nectar to golden bees. The Mermaid, Old Blush, the Lamarque, the Zepherine Drouhin…look any of these up and we guarantee you’ll be planting them next season right away.