Hybrid Teas. The Senior Members Of The Group.

Whilst one huge family the Hybrid Teas have been around for many, many years. The first ‘La France’ was introduced in 1865. Today we refer to roses as being either old fashioned or modern. Gallicas are old fashione... [Read more]

Modern Hybrid Teas (Large Flowered Roses)

The correct title for this group of roses is a contentious subject. Early Hybrid Teas were exactly that, hybrids of the Tea roses but, over the years, the genealogy has become complicated. They were recently reclassifi... [Read more]

Modern Shrub Roses. A Diverse Family.

Called such because they are of such mixed parentage that there is not a particular group with which any have strong affinity. They are indeed a mixed bunch with few similarities except that they largely possess the qu... [Read more]

Moss Roses. Buds and Stems.

This is a beautiful group of roses. Not only are the flowers an attraction but the stems and un-opened buds are too. They are endowed with moss like glands which, when touched, have a wonderful herb like fragrance... [Read more]

Pimpinellfolias. Early Flowering and Prickly

Native to Europe, this is a tough little bunch of roses. They are prickly, dense and compact with many tiny serrated leaflets. The flowers are small, except in the case of one or two hybrids, appearing in abundance ea... [Read more]

Polyanthus. Neat and Tidy

Very popular in the early 1900’s these small flowered, low growing roses have many uses. They are small enough to grow in pots on the patio or balcony, make good edging to the rose border and useful bedding. Bloo... [Read more]

Portlands. Versatile and Popular.

A small family but consisting of some of the most beautiful old roses. Repeat flowering and usually well scented, with a neat, stocky growth habit, they are good choices for even the smallest garden. The neat pr... [Read more]

Procumbents. Tumbling and Scrambling.

The term ‘ground cover’ is used commonly for various different garden plants but there are not many roses that truly cover the ground in the way this title would imply. Instead, I prefer the title of Procumbent Roses, des... [Read more]

Rugosas. Tough and Useful

These are some of the toughest roses. They are thorny and dense with disease resistant leathery foliage. Flowers which appear repeatedly throughout the summer are, in many varieties, followed by splendid hips which are o... [Read more]

Species Roses. The Originals.

These are the wild or true roses of nature and as such are the forerunners to all modern day hybrids. Nearly all have single flowers and hips of different shapes and sizes. They are healthy roses and in the main a... [Read more]