18 Groups Of Roses: Part 1

Almost all growers of roses used in gardens today arise from an immensely complicated variety of genetic influences. Although roses are grouped according to their general features such as Gallicas, Albas and so on, these divisions become very blurred at the edges. For example, only one of the groups, the Gallicas, is derived from a single surviving wild rose, Rosa gallica, and even here there has been much hybridization with roses from other groups. There is also a clear genetic evidence of the influence of Gallicas on Bourbons, Damasks, Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas.

The same rose may be assigned by different authorities to different groups, while many 20^th century roses, for example some of those bred by Kordes and Austin, belong to none. However, most roses within each group do share more or less distinct family resemblances. At the very least the classification provides a practical way of referring to different pruning needs.

1. Alba: Alba roses are derived from a hybrid, Rosa x alba, which was probably a cross between the European native dog rose, R. canina, and the Damask rose, R. x damascena, an ancient garden hybrid. The characteristic Alba is a strong-growing, strikingly upright bush with beautiful gray-green foliage. Some will exceed 8 ft. in height and are among the tallest

garden varieties. The flowers are usually double and are limited in color to either white or pink. Among the typical Albas are Jacobite Rose (R. x alba 'Alba Maxima'), Great Maiden's Blush, Konigin von Danemark and Madame Plantier.

2. Bourbon: The Bourbon roses owe their origins to a chance hybrid on the He de Bourbon (now called Reunion) in the Indian Ocean, between Rosa x pallida 'Odorata' (formerly known as 'Old Blush China') and the old Damask R. x damascena semperflorens which is known, because of its ability to flower more than once, as the 'Autumn Damask'. This was the first known hybrid of a rose from China crossed with one from the West. The result was a rose with large double flowers, great scent and vigorous growth; it had the additional virtue of repeat flowering. Some examples of Bourbon roses are 'Boule de Neige', 'Madame Isaac Pereire' and the Climber 'Zephirine Drouhin'. Even those classed as bushes often have rather lax growth and may be trained as climbers.

3. Centifolia: The Centifolias go back at least to the 17^th century when they were often shown in Dutch still-life paintings. They are bush roses and as their name suggests they have double flowers that are often exceptionally well scented. Many old Centifolias survive in cultivation. Some examples of Centifolias are 'De Meaux', 'Fantin-Latour', 'Petite de Hollande' and 'Robert Ie Diable'.

4. China Roses: China Roses are all descended from introductions from China to the West in the late 18^th century. They may be bush or climbing roses and they have in common a delicacy of growth and flower, and repeat flowering. They are among the more tender roses, needing protection in a warm garden. Some are best grown in pots, kept indoors in winter and brought out to enjoy the sun in a sheltered spot during the summer. Among the Chinas are Hermosa', R. x odorata 'Mutabilis' and R. x odorata Pallida'.

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