Outside

In his 1937 landmark book, Old Garden Roses, Edward Bunyard conveys the weightiness of his topic: “It might almost be said that the rose is an index of civilization.” Indeed, bold gallicas (French roses, seen below), the common ancestor to most European roses, were grown throughout the Roman Empire. R. gallica “Versicolor,” the peppermint-striped rose King Henry II named “Rosa Mundi” in honor of his mistress Rosamund, was bred from the Red Rose of Lancaster; it, along with the White Rose of York, symbolized the famous War of the Roses and should be included in any antique rose collection for sheer romance. Grow R. gallica officinalis, the historic Apothecary Rose, or other outstanding gallicas, dark crimson “Tuscany Superb” and the almost black “Cardinal de Richelieu,” for vibrant contrast to paler colors.

Toward the end of the 18th century, the gallicas and their “children,” the albas, damasks and fat cabbage roses, were bred with China roses which were tender, but had what was then an amazing quality — repeat bloom. This combination of vigorous winter-hardy stock with re-blooming capability resulted in the Bourbons, Noisettes, Portlands, and hybrid perpetuals. One hybrid perpetual you simply must include is the stately “Reine de Violettes,” as close to a purple rose as you can find, with aromatic foliage that emits a spicy, peppery smell, especially after a rain.

An almost thornless Bourbon, “Zephyrine Drouhin” can be trained as a superb climber and can even take a little shade. Moss roses are interesting to include because of their fuzzy sepals, calyx and stem that provide unusual texture. Silvery pink “Chapeau de Napoleon” and the common moss, Old Pink Moss “Communis,” are distinctive.