Caution: More Lovely Old Roses with picture!!!s

15 years ago

Part III of my series about the wonderful old roses that I grow and miss right now.....

Today it was warm (nearly 50....gasp!) and the snow is melting in places so that I was able to actually see some of my roses sticking out from the snowline. Those in the shady part of the garden are still encased in 3 feet of snow, but those in direct sunlight have less than a foot of it left....YAY! I walked among them today, visiting with them like the old friends they are.....it was so joyous being out there with them again, if only to gaze at brown, leafless canes. I know the wondrous beauty they will be transformed into, and that vision sparkles in my memory.

Here are pictures of yet more old roses that light up my life. I hope they will light up your day today!

Celeste

PORTLAND FROM GLENDORA.....

Some believe this is the same rose as Johasine Hanet....I have no clue, but what I do know is this rose perfumes my entire yard when in full bloom....so whatever her name, she is wonderful. Bright colored, petite rosettes grace a large-growing shrub that seems to grow anywhere.

She grows where its warm and she grows here where its frigid, and in both places, brings much pleasure to all.

BARONESS ROTHSCHILD.....

A refined beauty, she is resplendant in palest pink. I ache for her to have as lovely a fragrance....for a rose this breathtaking MUST smell divine. Alas, it is slight at best for me, but never mind. She is alluring and I cannot help but love her.

ENFANT DE FRANCE.....

There is an undeniable quirkiness to the form of this rose, which endears it to me. The blooms are shaggy and the color is distinctively two-toned pink. The leaves are long and droop demurely from the canes as if she is trying to hide herself. The bush is stout and produces hundreds of fluffy blooms reminding me of a cheerleaders pompoms.

There is a lot to cheer about!

DUCHESSE DE BUCCLEUGH....

OK, you probably knew already (if you read my other posts) that I just had to sneak a gallica in here! This one has plump, raspberry-colored blooms and is healthy, hardy, and happy. There isn't anything I don't love about this rose.

It always brings a smile to my face.

EXCELLENZ VON SCHUBERT.....

This is my son and daughter-in-law's favorite rose out of all my hundreds. There is something unique and precious about its tight clusters of small lilac-mauve, pompoms...and its shiny leaves and graceful garden form. As a bonus, it blooms off and on all summer.

Mine is planted at the entrance to my garden, opposite from Marchesa Boccella across the pebble walkway....and the two of them greet guests who enter. They both give a good impression of all that is wonderful about old roses and have transformed the minds of many. With the word 'excellenz' in its name, you just know its a keeper.

JOHN HOPPER

Years ago, when at the Montreal Botanical Garden, I saw John Hopper and declared that if he was a man, I would have to marry him. Other folks might think what a strange one I am, but you know what I mean.....I was smitten.

He looked so handsome that day that I pledged that even if I couldn't quite marry a rose (and DH might protest)....I was going to 'keep him' in my garden one day where I could sneak out and peek at his gorgeous-ness any time I wanted.

Here's what I get to enjoy.....(and I can keep DH, too!)

GLOIRE DES MOUSSEUX

I grow a few moss roses and love them all. This one (whose name means 'glory of the mosses') is ironically my least healthy moss. She blackspots horribly and is a royal pain in my backside all summer. I want to hide her after her glorious June bloom.

So, you are probably asking.....why keep such a disorderly rose?

I will show you..........

(Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.....)

-----------------------------------------------------------

MARECHAL DAVOUST.....

OK...now to a very healthy, cooperative MOSS. This one is a little bloom-machine and doesn't succumb to poor hygiene like its flashier sister, above. The girl is a clean-freak. And the little button-eyed blooms are pretty darn irrestible.

ALBA MAXIMA.....

And of course, there HAS to be an Alba in here somewhere!

But only if one likes a pristine-white bloom the color of innocence, healthy blue-green leaves, stately form, and a fragrance that permeates your soul.

ahh....the Albas. If they bloomed more than once, my heart couldn't take it. They would be TOO perfect.

COMTE DE CHAMBORD.....

I grow this one is a less-than-optimal position so he never gets very large but the delicious fragrance wafts on the air, making me remorseful that I don't have him at the front of the garden. His good looks match his great fragrance.

PERSIAN YELLOW.....

Before anyone protests that this is a blackspot-ridden rose, I know his faults. But there is nothing so grand as those sunny yellow blooms signaling the start of rose season! This burst of color is a welcome sight for sore, winter-weary eyes and if its leaves are a bit spotty later on, all is forgiven by me.

QUEEN OF DENMARK....

There cannot be just one Alba on here....its not possible.

This one really is 'the queen'.......of my heart.

You have to sit under this one to feel her presence, to appreciate her soul, to breathe in the aroma of royalty.

She is right out of a dream, and if you ever have the pleasure to meet her, you will never forget her.

STANWELL PERPETUAL....

This 'tough guy' has the softest, sweetest fragrance imaginable. You would not expect such a delicate scent from such a strong, rugged rose but it is unforgettable.

Stan is as tough as leather but as lovely as they come,

with ferny little leaves and pale blooms with a button eye.

If you don't want to fuss, Stan is your man.

HAPPY SPRING TO ALL !!!!

Featured Answer

luxrosa

15 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Celeste,

I love pink or white Alba roses best, and adore your photos. I could almost smell their fragrance.
-I once made the mistake of complaining about a cold snap in California, during a phone call to a freind of mine in Alaska and she asked me
"just how cold is it?"
"50 degrees" I answered.
and in all innocense she replied
"Below?"
I was too embarassed to say, "nope it is a comparatively balmy 50 above F, and why am I complainin' to someone who goes on hikes when the windchill brings the temperature to 40 below zero?
-I too fell in love with a rose enough to want to marry him. One Dirt Day after the work was completed I wandered around the upper gardens and came across white roses in full bloom, large powdery white blossoms, and well foliaged side canes large enough to garb a giant.
Two magnificent plants of "Long John Silver' were winding their way around the entrance to the Gallica garden at vintagegardens, home garden. I lost sleep over those roses, really. It was like having gold fever. My father had mining claims in Alaska, and gold fever was a occupational hazard. I think rose-fever may be a variation of the obsession.

Luxrosa

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Comments (28)

organicgardendreams
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste - oh man, you did it again! Love, love, love your roses and your garden!!!

Baronnesse Rothschild is my absolute favorite! I feel her beauty is almost out of this world!
Gloire des Mousseux is such a lovely rose, too. I always find that there is something very special about moss roses, too bad that she is such a BS magnet for you.
And then David Hopper and his perfect bloom. Does this rose have a fragrance?

Probably I can't grow any of these roses very well in my climate, which in a way is a good thing otherwise I would have to order them again ;-). But I enjoy it a lot to read your descriptions of these roses and look at your beautiful photos of them. Thanks you soo... much for posting!

By the way, my Yolande d'Aragon (band from Heirloom) arrived already today. She is small but very healthy and has just started to leave out. Jippeee!!!
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, your roses are pure poetry and so are your descriptions. What a lovely thread, as were your others. Portland of Glendora is one rose I have grown here in Southern California, and it had the strongest fragrance of any rose I've grown. A bouquet in the house was almost overpowering with its fragrance. Thank you for your "bouquet of roses".

Ingrid
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Comments (22)
Oldhouselover: Concerning the tree, cut it whenever you would like or find convenient. It's already growing there, it won't hurt to leave it until fall when the leaves on the roses are cleared and it's easier to reach in there. Don't sweat it or worry :). Just make sure not to forget to cut it in the fall - it must go. 4 more months of growth from the tree won't hurt the rose. Amazingly, if that is a Tree of Heaven, which I'm almost positive, that tree may be only one year old, possibly two. They grow fast. So don't forget to cut it out this fall :). I personally would not use any herbicide whatsoever on the tree of heaven. Due to your sentimental feelings for the rose and desire to keep it as healthy as possible, the risk of accidentally spilling even a little herbicide is too great. Just be vigilant and be ready to cut the little shoots the ToH will inevitably send out in the spring once you cut it down. I would move the hostas. Others here would have better knowledge on how/when to trim the rose to a more managable and visually appealing form. The hostas, though, are being overrun by the rose and if you would like to save them, move them. Even if you want to keep them in that bed, you can move them out of the way of the rose. It happens. Sometiems my stuff gets out of control so I just move it. It's hard to kill hostas. They'll be happy wherever you put them as long as it's not full sun. Most importantly, don't OVERCARE for the rose!!!!!! :). That's the biggest mistake I see most people on all of these forums make, especially people new to gardening. I've seen more isntances of people overcaring for their plant and damaging it than undercaring for a plant. Keep in mind, the rose is decades old and apparently no one cared for it too much, and it's still alive and thriving :). Ignore your impulses for fertilizer, watering everyday, and all that. It is a beautiful bush and I'm sure those on this forum will be able to help you trim it into a more managable form :).
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Comments (8)
I would remove a lot of the old gray wood next March--cut the canes at the ground or at the graft if one is visible. Hopefully it will respond by making some strong shoots from the ground. It looks like this rose is best grown as a climber with all the strong shoots fastened to the fence. Tie them rather than weaving through the lattice. Create a fan pattern by leading the first canes low and almost horizontal, the next in a low arc above the first, etc. Having lots of cane nearly horizontal (or 45 degrees) will greatly increase the amount of bloom. Most roses have canes that are best trained after they have grown well out and become fibrous. Then they will bend without breaking. After it begins to get crowded again, remove a fraction of the oldest canes each year at the base, Do the main pruning in June after blooming to maximize the amount of bloom. You can also remove the stronger laterals (strong secondary shoots off the main canes) unless you need them to fill in. Cut the shorter laterals back to 2-3 leaves after blooming. The spots visible in pics 6 and 7 are blackspot disease, but the plant must be somewhat resistant or it would be defoliated by now. The foliage appears to be of modern type. The hooked thorns suggest the parentage includes climbing species. You can show us blooms and buds next May.
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1 vote for Honey Dijon as most eye attracting color 1 vote for prettiest pinks ( couldn't pick just one ) 1 vote for nicest drop on Flower Girl 1 vote for best Bi-color on Scentimental 1 vote for brightest yellow for Vavoom Very nice and crisp white Double Delight that thinks it's a Garden Party rose after all that rain ( did you say it was raining lol ) I think it acts like its a Garden Party cause it is in a Garden Party
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Comments (46)
Helen, Great! You take the best pics. I do grow Neil Diamond , it is one of my absolute favorites, and I agree has every great quality. But I thought Broceliande was different enough that I’d like to try it too. Judging from HMF Broceliande starts out yellow and reddish-pink (whereas Neil is white and reddish-pink), then Broceliande seems to fade to rose-pink/white as it matures, whereas Neil is very color stable. Broceliande also appears to have very glossy foliage. Both roses have very nice spiral form and big heavy blooms, which is rather an exception among stripes. It’d be hard for any rose to match Neil in fragrance, but Broceliande is also listed as strongly fragrant, and perhaps has a different scent. I was going to order it from Palatine, but they took it off the website the day before they went live .
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User
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hello Celeste,
How utterly wonderful and joyous! Thanks for posting the inspiring photos just in time for spring.

By the way, you mentioned that 50 F was warm?? Down here, 50 F is COLD enough to cause our gardens some real problems! :)

Happy Spring to ALL!
Avalon
mendocino_rose
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I appreciate so much these montages you have been so kind to make for us. I liked what you said about walking around through the brown sticks of roses. I do the same thing. I've even gone to public gardens in winter. I know we just love them so.
the_bustopher z6 MO
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice pictures and commentary. Does your John Hopper repeat bloom? Does it appear to have to be a certain age before it does repeat? Mine only blooms once. It would be nice if it did repeat bloom.
cincy_city_garden
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Celeste, once again, beautiful pictures. I'm really liking these posts because there's been a few I have coming to me this Spring, like Baroness Rothschild, Queen of Denmark, and Portland from Glendora....as well as some I haven't know about and been enabled into, like that John Hopper! I can only hope mine will look as good as yours. BTW, what's your secret? Have you ever shared your fertilizing routine? :)

Eric
artemis_pa
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh my gosh...this makes me weak at the knees. How wonderful. I get so emotional thinking about my roses...that's why I love to read your posts...you do too!
Now I'm thinking of getting Queen of Denmark. I have Stan on order for spring planting. Love your roses.
celeste/NH
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi there, rose friends!

I came across another picture of Gloire des Mousseux (to help me justify why I keep her around) and wanted to post it.....as well as thank you for your great responses!

organic....there are a few roses here that I'll bet you can grow successfully where you are; obviously not the albas or gallicas but Portland from Glendora, Excellenz von Schubert, Enfant de France, Baroness Rothschild & John Hopper probably do fine in a warm climate too. John Hopper does indeed have a nice fragrance. I am happy for you that you will add Yolande to your garden & to your heart!

Ingrid....Thanks for your input that Portland from Glendora grows well in your warm zone and for the fragrance report to back up my claim. She really is a very fragrant rose....quite capable of perfuming entire houses and yards!

avalon....YES, 50 degrees is HOT here considering it was last Fall that it was that balmy. People up here are crazy nuts when the temps get that high after a long, frigid winter....I saw several 'nuts' out yesterday with shorts, sandals and tank tops on...and there is still several feet of snow left on the ground and it is still
in the 20's at night. You can bet that if the temps. hit 60 one of these days, there will be sunbathers out on their half-frozen lawns...lol.

mendocino....ahhh....another passionate rose-lover who understands. Most folks think I'm nuts meandering through a snowy garden looking at leafless brown 'twigs'!

the bustopher....yes, my John Hopper did rebloom last year a little toward the end of summer. I did not expect it would since I thought it was a once-bloomer. It is only a couple of years old (ownroot) and didn't re- bloom the first year so I was surprised when I got a few 'bonus' flowers....only a couple, but it has me hoping for greater things.

Eric....You and I seem to think alike.....we have great taste in roses! As for fertilizing secrets, nothing I do is much of a secret. Just lots of TLC and the usual organic supplementation of manure, alfalfa, epsom salts, etc. I truly believe my roses thrive on LOVE.

artemis....thank you....it is impossible not to be emotional when you love something so passionately. I am glad that you share the passion.

Celeste

ANOTHER SHOT OF GLOIRE DES MOUSSEUX.....

{{gwi:234221}}
organicgardendreams
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste - thanks for letting me know, which roses you think might work for me here in SoCa. I was astonished how many varieties from this thread you have named. For sure I will have a closer look at those.

Unfortunately, for now I have exceeded my budget for buying new roses and I first have to plant and take care of the roses that I have gotten lately (many of them are still in pots). So anything that catches my fancy now has to go on my wish list.

The second photo of Gloire des Mousseux that you have posted is soo... beautiful. I feel this rose is very special and any diva needs to be allowed to have a flaw (BS)!
Tammy Owens
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Stunning! And such a beautiful collection of my favorite colors....pink.

Tammy
debnfla8b
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I adore pink roses!!! How I wish that Moss roses would grow here too. OH! And Albas...Gallica's...how I would love that.
You grow the prettiest rose bushes,I like seeing all those green spotless leaves...LOL!

And Eric...don't forget to talk to the roses, they love hearing their owners voice, and a caressing hand once in a while! hahahaha, or I believe they do.

Deb :o))
twohuskies
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, honey you are killing me with all these gorgeous pictures. I don't have room for any more roses. And yet these photos tempt me in a very dangerous way. I could easily fall in love with John Hopper!!!
cincy_city_garden
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, you remind me I need to add manure to the mix. I'm using Rose Tone and alfalfa, and also making my own compost this year.

Hey Deb, I just came in from another round of pruning and giving my roses a blood sacrifice :) I guess they heard my voice when a thorny cane grabbed my scalp, I'll only give Zephirine Drouhin a caress..she's thornless :)

Eric
thorngrower sw. ont. z5
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste.... I'm really enjoying your posts. You and husband have created a wonderful garden. Keep on posting it really has a positive effect on us all. Happy Spring !!!!

Mark
Martina DeLuca
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love your picture of EXCELLENZ VON SCHUBERT! I ordered a band and I am surprised how fast it's growing. I fell in love with the pictures of the small clusters of flowers and your pictures reinforce why I bought it. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
melva
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste,
I have a plant of Duchesse de Buccleigh it is in a 5 gallon pot...how large does that one get? I need to plant it, but where, depends upon how large that one gets.
carla17
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, your pictures and descriptions are divine.

Carla
york_rose
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, with that many roses how do you handle irrigation duties during droughts?
Krista_5NY
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, I can see why you'd want John Hopper in your garden. The blooms look wonderful.
duchesse_nalabama
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, thanks for posting. This is my favorite kind of posting, pictures and reasons to love the rose. I learn so much more about roses this way. Thanks again, Gean
celeste/NH
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi again, rose friends!

Just popping in to say 'thank you' to all of you for your enthusiasm, kind words, and for appreciating roses like I do.

That 50-degree day was short-lived. I guess I shouldn't have gotten so excited. Tonight it is down to 17 degrees.....tomarrow it will struggle to get out of the twenties. Winter is hanging on.

melva....,my Duchesse de Buccleugh is about 5 1/2 feet tall; she is only a couple of years old though....not sure of her mature dimensions. (I'm not sure if it will get the same size in your warmer climate or not.)

york rose.....believe it or not, with over 350 rosebushes I still water all my roses by hand, by myself. We live out in the woods so we have our own artesian well (very deep) so I never have had to worry about running out of water, just time and patience....lol. Watering all those roses is probably my least favorite rose-chore, especially getting all tangled up in the extra-long hoses.

Krista....its good to know you see what I see in 'John Hopper'.....he's FINE.

Carla....Thanks for your sweet comment!

organic....Yes, she is a DIVA, that Gloire des Mousseux...lol!

Gean....so glad you are getting something out of my posts...thanks. I like 'introducing' you all to the roses, because I am so enthusiastic about them.

aroidgardener....Excellenz is a wonderful, charming rose. You were SO smart in getting that one! I forgot to mention that the blooms last a very long time on the bush and are great for bouquets.

Mark....Happy Spring to you as well....thank you for taking the time to read my post and for letting me know you enjoyed it!

Tammy....Pinks are my favorites as well. I have way more pink roses than any other color.

Eric....careful of those roses....they like to whip out a thorny cane when our backs are turned! Centifolia variegata is the sneakiest of my roses....I swear she waits for me to turn around and hooks me like a big fish and reels me in...lol. (but I love her still)

Deb....I think you are right....roses do need that extra caress and a few 'sweet nothings' once in awhile. My neighbors can attest to the fact that I am in love with my roses....quite a few times I have gotten weird looks from them when they hear me talking and there's nobody there....lol.

twohuskies.....I know what you are going through....I placed all my rose orders early and yet I am still pining away for yet more roses that I don't have room for! I am running out of land, time, money, etc. but I can't stop myself!

Luxrosa...Pink or white Albas...there is nothing more beautiful. I am glad you know this too! And I can well understand your wanting to marry Long John Silver. I have him too, and he's a charmer. He can make you weak in the knees, can't he? Rose-fever is one 'sickness' I hope I never recover from....lol.

Thanks, everybody!

Celeste
cziga
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That Enfant de France is such a beautiful rose - the two tone pink is lovely!
petsitterbarb
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi, Celeste...
Please answer a question regarding the gorgeous Excellenz von Schubert. I've read that it's thornless, and I've read that it's thorny. I'd love to know which it is! I'm not holding my breath that it's thornless, but I do have my fingers crossed! Thanks so much for your time and your fantastic, enabling photos...
Barb
sammy zone 7 Tulsa
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Celeste, I am so glad that Barb refreshed this page because I missed it first time around. Your roses are outstanding. They are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the great show.

Sammy
rosemeadow_gardener
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well I was just about to post the same as what Sammy did, thank goodness I got to see your post. Your photos of your roses are of such beauty. They have made my evening ! Thankyou Celeste !
At the moment I am planting alot of Old Roses to my present collection of Old and Modern roses. Last year I had my first beautiful Gallica blooms, so I am really looking forward to them this Spring. It has been perdicted to be very dry though.
celeste/NH
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi everyone!

It was nice to see my old post resurrected! I didn't get to enjoy my old once-bloomers very much this past June, on account of 28 straight days of rain which destroyed most of
the delicate blooms. Even though right now I have hundreds of my modern roses in bloom, I still favor the old roses and miss them.

Barb...
My Excellenz von Schubert is completely WITHOUT thorns. I am happy to report this to you! Also, because he is one of the few of my older roses who repeats, I am enjoying those cute little blooms right now. Even though its the end of August and its been really hot the past week, his leaves are completely disease-free, no-spray. I feel like I need to make a separate post about him because I am so pleased with him......I will be posting it straight away!
Thanks for the incentive to start posting again.

THANK YOU, Sammy and rosemeadow.....
your comments are appreciated!

Celeste
zeffyrose
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh my goodness----I can't believe I missed this post the first time around because I always look forward to your roses----

I love the way you post the bushes alongside of bloom picture------it is great.

I love your story about falling in love with John Hopper----
You are so cute----

Looking forward to more pictures----

Thanks for refreshing this post---it is glorious.

Florence

Caution: More Lovely Old Roses with picture!!!s

luxrosa

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