Rosa gallica 2-3' × 3-4'. Highly fragrant dark purple-burgundy double 3" blooms in midsummer. Can be dried whole. Less thorny than other roses. Rugged and easy to grow. Z3/4.
Rosa gallica 5×5'. Classic old garden rose with large deep pink strongly aromatic flowers. Jaw-dropping beauty! Petals hold on in bouquets. Robust, hardy, easy to grow. Z4.
Rosa rugosa 4-5' × same. Semi-double very large 3-4" magenta flowers with lemony scent. Blooms all summer and into fall. Large orange-red edible hips. Z2.
Rosa 3-4' × same. Small lightly fragrant red blooms are fringed like carnations. Very unusual and attractive with a long bloom season, often going until frost. Upright arching yet compact form. Z3.
Rosa rugosa 6-7' × 7-10'. Large clove-scented blooms begin early summer and rebloom in fall. Prolific giant red-orange hips. A productive cultivar for herbalists. Z3.
Rosa 6-7' × same. One of the best climbing or long-caned varieties for colder climates. Vivid velvety deep red-pink semi-double blooms with spicy fragrance. Repeat bloomer. Z3.
Rosa alba 5-6' × same. Highly fragrant 3" very double pale pink flowers bloom profusely late June into July. Sometimes more than 200 petals per flower. Z4.
Rosa alba 5-6' × same. Classic alba variety with clusters of white fragrant highly double 2–3" blossoms, sometimes with more than 200 petals per flower! Z4.
Rosa macrantha 3-4' × 6-8'. Clusters of unusual semi-double globular 2" silvery-pink flowers with a peppery fragrance. Rounded mounding habit. Stunning in full bloom! Z3.
Rosa 3×3'. Faint lilac-purple blooms are practically white. Semi-double, recurrent and fragrant. Tough, low-growing, salt-tolerant and can handle partial shade. Disease resistant. Z3.
Rosa carolina 2-4' × same. Single pink 5-petaled flowers emerge May-June. Small red hips in fall. Found along streams, roads and open woods throughout New England. Full sun to partial shade. Native. Z4.
Rosa spp. Five rose cultivars to complement each other in bloom. No two will have the same color, but they won’t clash! Z3.
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Roses Rosa spp.
Leaves, petals, hips and roots all have medicinal properties. Rose hips (fruits) are rich in vitamin C and make a wonderful “rose apple” jam; rose-petal elixir calms the nerves and lifts the spirit.
Each year, we aim to offer a diverse selection of unusual and antique varieties. Unlike hybrid tea roses, these roses are all vigorous, cold hardy and on their own roots. The antique varieties grow slowly compared to newer hybrids and tend to be more difficult to propagate. You may notice when you receive your order that some of these roses have small root systems and little top growth. Don’t be alarmed by this—it’s just the nature of these old varieties. We can attest that they perform just as well as the others. If roots are tangled, cut them back to 6" or so and spread them out in the planting hole.
Roses are native to temperate regions throughout the world.
Growing Roses
Soil: Well-drained soil with a good amount of organic matter.
Sun: Full sun, but some will tolerate part shade. Pick a site with good air flow, but avoid sites with cold northwest winds.
Spacing: 4–6' apart.
Sun: Full sun, but some will tolerate part shade. Pick a site with good air flow, but avoid sites with cold northwest winds.
Planting: Plant as early as soil can be worked. The roots of roses don’t spread beyond the original hole, so dig a bushel-sized hole, as deep as 2' or more. Mix soil with liberal quantities of well-rotted manure and compost. Add a coffee-can of rock phosphate or bone meal.
Prior to planting, prune plants back to 3–5 of the best canes.
Keep roses well mulched to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Add 2 shovelfuls of compost to each crown annually in late fall.
Pruning: Other than clipping out any dead wood, shrub roses and climbers require little pruning.
