written by Jan Eastman | Chair PRHRiA
In October, Lyn Chapman and I were invited to speak with journalist, garden consultant and avid gardener Deryn Thorpe. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Deryn, talking about the history of heritage roses and talking about our favourite old roses. We are so grateful to Deryn for inviting us, so that we could share our passion and help to preserve the interest in heritage roses. The link to the podcast is HERE.
Deryn produced a summary list of some of the roses we spoke about, and you can read this below. We have supplied pictures of some of the mentioned roses, for your added enjoyment! (Image credits Jan Eastman, Seamus Johnson, Melisa Hillman, Billy West, and Di Durston).
WILD OR SPECIES ROSES
Banksia roses
EARLY EUROPEAN ROSES
Damask Roses
"Quatre Saisons"
originated in the Middle East, no date given
intense perfume
flowers in clusters and along the canes which have spikey prickles
"Isaphan"
originated in the MIddle East
Pre 1832
spring flowering only
"Old Blush"
CHINA ROSES
"Mutabilis"
single blooms changing from buff flowers to pink and dark pink
tangerine buds
flowers resemble butterflies
early 1900
BOURBON ROSES
"Variegata de Bologna"
introduced in Italy in 1909
parentage is unknown
flowers resemble mulberries and cream
spring flowering only but for a long period
"Mme Ernst Calvat"
Introduced in France in 188
sport of Mme Isaac Pereire
Jan's Mme Ernst Calvat is on the west side of the house and climbs along structures against the fence
"Souvenir de la Malmaision"
rose named for the Empress Josephine's house
pale pink, fragrant, multi petals
rambling style growth habit
"Souvenir de St Anne's"
white flowers
TEA ROSES
"Mrs B.R Cant"
UK 1901
large bush
mid to dark pink
"Safrano"
released in France in 1839
soft apricot and fades lighter
prune to shape but not too hard
Lyn's favourites are the Bird Children roses that were found on the graves of the Bird children
ALISTER CLARK ROSES
Australian bred
"Sunlit"
hybrid tea
apricot or apricot blend
"Restless"
hybrid tea
tall shrub
velvety red semi double blooms
NOISETTES
"Reve d'Or"
France 1869
vigorous
"Blush Noisette"
France 1814
clusters of small blooms
climbs on a pole on the edge of Jan's patio
"Crepuscule"
small apricot blooms
floriferous
can be used as a shrub rose or small climber
very popular because it never stops flowering
CLIMBING TEAS
Comtesse de Labarthe (aka Duchess de Brabant)
France 1857
bush or climber
mid pink flowers in abundance which have nodding heads
"Devoniensis"
UK 1838
bush or climber
"Maman Cochet
France 1892
bush or climber
WHERE TO SEE HERITAGE ROSES
Private gardens, Araluen Botanic Park, Falls Farm in Lesmurdie, Stirling Square in Guildford, Pinjarra Heritage Rose Garden, Koja Place in Kojonup for Alister Clark and other Australian bred roses. All these place are in WA
WHY WE LOVE THESE OLD ROSES
growth habit from controlled to rambling
varied flowers from single petalled
stamens
full double
globular
tiny blooms to large
colours -white to deep purples
fragrance
PRUNING
spring flowering only - after flowering
others - July and August
rule take out dead, diseased and deformed
bushes - take off one third