Roses - Types and New Varieties for 2001

Have you ever wondered which type of rose you like best? Have you ever considered growing roses from seed? Would you know where to obtain rose seed of unusual species? What are the names of new varieties?

Roses grow well in Britain. There is a rose to suit every garden. There are roses for the windowsill, roses for arches, roses for patios, roses for shade, roses for poor soil, roses for seaside, roses for hedges. And this list is not exhaustive.

Which type of rose?

We divide roses into ‘Bourbon’, ‘Damask’, ‘Centifolia’, ‘China’, ‘Gallica’ and ‘Moss’ kinds. We call them miniature, standard, half-standard, weeping standard, hybrid tea and floribunda types. Or we might collect them as climbing, rambling, repeat-flowering modern shrub, and ground cover roses. We classify them by genus, species, subspecies, form and cultivar. And still nurserymen come up with new roses and invent ways of grouping them, as David Austin has proved with the new "English Roses", some of which have a flowering period that continues late into the year - variety ‘Clare Austin’ for example.

In botanical circles it is also customary to refer to species as the ‘type’ to distinguish the typical example of a species, from subspecies and naturally occurring diverse forms. When gardeners talk about a ‘cultivar’ we usually refer to a variety produced by plant breeding in cultivation. But sometimes a cultivar also occurs naturally in the wild.

Time to plant roses

If you have gaps in your garden that you intend to fill with new roses, you will be glad to hear that open ground roses can be planted in early March. And container grown roses can be planted well into late spring and summer. But how do you find that special rose you are seeking?

Growing new roses from seed

There is a delightful way of increasing your stock of unusual roses. Why not grow them from seed? Chiltern Seeds list many of the interesting species. Raising roses in the home garden is generally not at all difficult – although sufficient space to grow on lots of seedlings is a major requirement. But if lack of space is a problem, why not try alpine roses?

Rosa species to grow from seed

Here are some of the species - including alpine kinds - that can be grown from seed. Many have highly ornamental scarlet, crimson, maroon or black hips.

The alpine rose

Rosa alpina from the mountains of Europe grows at an altitude of 9,000 ft and can be grown from seed. This interesting species has bright yellowish green foliage and magenta pink flowers. The hips are red and flask-shaped, providing further decorative appeal.

The dainty "Redwood Rose"

One of the few roses for the rock garden comes from North America. R. gymnocarpa, a hardy shrub, grows in shady patches under trees. Pea-sized orange-red hips follow bright rose-pink flowers.

"Burnet Rose"

Suitable for pool soil or coastal areas, R.pimpinellifolia produces white flowers and shiny black, or dark maroon, fruits. Choice cultivars of this species are also available (as plants) from rose nurseries, including ‘Dunwich Rose’ which has ferny foliage and pale yellow flowers in profusion.

R.sweginzowii from Kansu in N.W. China bears arching, red-tinged stems, spectacular triangular thorns and scented pink flowers with cream stamens. The scarlet, slender flagon-shaped hips are distinctly attractive.

Roses  - new at Chiltern Seeds for 2001

Chiltern Seeds list many other species roses. I counted 22 entries under the Rosa heading in the latest catalogue. Here too are the names of this firm’s new introductions for 2001: R. holodonta from Western China bears elegant foliage and masses of deep pink flowers. The hips are very conspicuous, red and bottle-shaped. R.primula is a shrub rose, remarkable for its yellow flowers in late spring and the incense-like aromatic foliage.

Rosa, Mixed species and cultivars is ‘A splendid mixture of shrub rose species, including most of the roses listed in the above catalogue, as well as several named cultivars.’ There are sure to be surprises in this packet of seed!

The name of Rose of the Year 2001

At the time of writing the name of the Rose of the Year for 2001-2002 is due to be announced soon. Bred by Sam McGredy, the new variety is a floribunda and has scented flowers that are a pink-apricot blend. Numerous blooms appear above healthy foliage that is coppery when young, maturing to dark green.

New Ground Cover Rose

A former winner of the Rose of the Year title, ‘Magic Carpet’ has semi-double lavender blooms and is one of a series of roses called Flower Carpet Roses. Reputed to be disease resistant, the latest variety from the breeder Noack Rosen, named ‘Red Velvet’ will be available from March 2001.

Charity roses 2000-2001

Here are just some of the Charity roses that have been introduced recently:

‘Bliss’ - a medium pink shrub rose of exceptional fragrance – raises money to make it possible for parents of seriously ill children to stay near to the hospital treating their child.

‘Best of Friends’- a yellow/gold hybrid tea variety – every sale helps The Hospital League of Friends.

‘Caring for You’ – a light pink hybrid tea variety – sales will raise money for the Norfolk Millennium Trust for Carers.

‘Charlie’s Rose’ – red petals with white reverse, this hybrid tea should benefit Amnesty International.

And one that was introduced earlier

‘Charity’- This yellow rose has a strong myrrh scent and was introduced in 1997 by David Austin - one of the English Roses. The variety is named on behalf of the National Gardens Scheme.