How to Choose the Right Old Garden Roses for Your Garden

Recommendations by Rose Type and Garden Use

Old Garden Roses are like stepping back in time—there's so much history, charm, and fragrance wrapped into these plants. But choosing the right one for your garden can feel a little overwhelming because, like modern roses, Old Garden Roses come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and blooming habits. The key? Think about what you want from your roses and match them to your space and style.

Understand Growth Habits and Size Variations

Unlike modern roses, which often have predictable growth patterns, Old Garden Roses exhibit a wide variety of growth habits and sizes depending on their class and your local climate. For example:

• China Roses tend to be compact and twiggy, making them ideal for smaller spaces or containers.
• Bourbon Roses can range from manageable shrubs like ‘Souv de la Malmaison' (3–4 feet tall) to sprawling varieties like ‘Louise Odier,' which can send out canes up to 8 feet long.
• Noisettes often grow as climbers, with pliable canes perfect for training along trellises or fences, while some remain more shrub-like.

Keep in mind that warmer climates can lead to significantly larger plants. A 5-foot shrub in cooler zones may become a 10-foot giant in hotter regions. Always check the mature size in your climate and choose accordingly.

Mottisfont Abbey Garden in the UK. Designed by Graham Stuart Thomas. A beautiful example of a garden setting using Old Garden Roses with other perennials. 

SHOP FOR OLD GARDEN ROSES

What Do You Need Your Roses To Do?

When picking Old Garden Roses, start by thinking about how you want them to work in your garden. Are you looking for a focal point shrub? A climber for an arbor? Something that blooms all season long? Let's break the OG rose types down by use:

Focus on Blooming Habits

One of the joys of Old Garden Roses is their variety of blooming patterns. Some classes bloom once per season, while others repeat or flower continuously.

• Repeat Bloomers: Look for China Roses, Teas, Bourbons, and Noisettes if you want blooms throughout the growing season.
• Once Bloomers: Gallicas, Albas, and Damasks typically offer one spectacular flush of blooms in late spring or early summer. These are ideal for gardeners seeking a dramatic seasonal display.

Understanding these patterns ensures you can plan your garden for continuous color or focus on a particular seasonal highlight, realizing that there are variations within classes.

Old Garden Roses and Fragrance

Old Garden Roses are renowned for their fragrance, but the intensity and type of scent can vary widely.

• Damasks and Bourbons often have a strong, sweet perfume prized in perfumery.
• Teas and Noisettes may have a lighter, tea-like or fruity scent.
• Gallicas and Albas offer unique herbal or powdery aromas.

Choose varieties that complement the sensory experience you want in your garden.

Evaluate Climate Suitability

Climate plays a crucial role in determining which Old Garden Roses will thrive where you live.

• Warm Climates: Roses like Teas, Chinas, and Tea-Noisettes flourish in heat and humidity but may struggle in colder zones.
• Cold Climates: Roses with Old European heritage, such as Albas, Gallicas, and Hybrid Perpetuals, tend to be more cold-hardy, often thriving in zones 4–6.

When selecting a rose,confirm your zone and verify the rose's USDA hardiness zone. Use the rose type and zone-specific filters on jacksonandperkins.com, ask a local rosarian, or consult with your county extension expert for recommendations.

Consider Maintenance Needs

Old Garden Roses are generally low-maintenance but they do have specific pruning requirements.

• Minimal Pruning: Most Old Garden Roses prefer minimal pruning. Allowing them to reach their mature size encourages prolific flowering. Over-pruning can lead to reduced blooms.
• Hybrid Perpetual Exception: These roses, which are precursors to Hybrid Teas, tolerate more aggressive pruning. However, even with Hybrid Perpetuals, limit pruning to no more than a third to half of the plant.

Understanding these needs ensures you avoid common mistakes and keep your roses healthy.

Mottisfont Abbey Garden in the UK.  Designed by Graham Stuart Thomas. A fine example of Old Garden Roses being used in a garden setting with other plants. 

Match Roses to Garden Purpose

Think about how you want to use the roses in your garden.

• Climbers: Noisettes and climbing versions of other Old Garden Roses are perfect for arbors, pergolas, and walls.
• Shrubs: Bourbons, Albas, and Hybrid Perpetuals create stunning standalone focal points or can be used in mixed borders.
• Containers: Smaller varieties of Chinas or Tea Roses are well-suited for pots, allowing gardeners in colder climates to bring them indoors during winter.

Define your garden goals before making a selection to ensure the roses you choose will meet your design vision.

SHOP FOR OLD GARDEN ROSES

Research and Ask Questions

Old Garden Roses come with a rich history, and the same variety may have different growth habits or names in different regions. Before purchasing, read up on specific varieties to understand their characteristics to ensure you're getting a rose that fits your needs.

Why Choose Old Garden Roses?

Old Garden Roses are a piece of living history. Growing them connects your garden to centuries of tradition. Whether you're drawn to their fragrance, their charming blooms, or their variety of growth habits, there's something uniquely rewarding about cultivating these antique roses.

So, as you choose your roses, think about what you want them to do in your garden. With a little planning, you can find the perfect roses to create a space that's as unique and enduring as these incredible flowers.