Times have changed for roses since Shakespeare, centuries ago wrote: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” With the growth of modern gardening systems and tools, we have witnessed hybridization of roses which are tougher with larger blooms and which bloom frequently. Experiments with cross-pollination of different types of roses have resulted in hybrid tea roses and floribunda roses which have reached the peak of popularity with rose lovers all over the world. Despite the shift of preference to modern hybrid roses, heirloom roses are still everyone’s favorite which has stood the test of time and is geared for a successful comeback.
Heirloom roses are also called by another name: antique roses. As the name suggests, this typical variety of rose is nearly a century old and still cultivated carefully so that plants can be produced from their seeds. While the exact number of varieties available in antique roses is difficult to ascertain, there are several categories of antique roses which one can come across. These include: the Gallicas, the damasks, the albas, the centifolia and the moss. All these types of antique roses are famous for their magnificent fragrance and their large bloom size. Though modern rose gardeners have created many hybrid varieties of roses, antique roses are fairly simple to grow, just as the hybrid tea and the floribunda.
Information about heirloom roses are available in plenty in the numerous websites and your local garden store may even have some antique varieties in stock. The local horticulture societies as well as the local garden club are great places for accessing more information on the types of such roses which would be suitable for your climate and soil.
While the same rules and principles of rose gardening apply for antique rose gardening, you could add that special flavor of that era in the form of a Victorian gazing ball. A brand new gazebo could add some more excitement to your garden with a lovely climbing variety of the antique rose.
Remember some of the fundamental rules of rose gardening apply here also, in the sense that watering has to be done only at the base of the plant and not on the stems, leaves or flowers. This will deep mold and rust at bay which have a habit of damaging delicate and fresh plants. The base of the plant must be kept free of debris including dead and fallen leaves. Practice careful pruning to avoid unnecessary damage to your rose bushes. Try and complete your pruning during early spring, to ensure that you get a full and healthy bloom through out summer. Use clean and high quality shears and always wear gloves to avoid cuts and bruises from thorns. Prune the center of the rose bush as this will facilitate fresh air circulation later in the season. All dead wood, weak growth and old canes must be removed at all times. The right height of the plant which your pruning must ensure would largely depend on the variety of rose that you have chosen. But the right height can ensure strength and health for your plant. The pruning shears must be thoroughly cleaned after use with dabs of alcohol to prevent mold or fungus from spreading to the healthy parts of your plants.
There are plenty of heirloom roses to choose from which can make your rose garden a marvelous display of color, fragrance and beauty. This way you could also lend a helping hand in keeping the heirloom tradition alive in your own way.
