Old Garden Rose Guide — Classic Fragrance and Elegant Bloom Forms

Old Roses refer to all rose varieties that existed before 1867, before the first modern rose "La France." Their greatest appeal lies in their deep, complex fragrance that modern roses lack and their elegant form with petals layered multiple times over. In recent years, they have been re-evaluated along with the growing popularity of natural gardens, and their popularity continues to rise.

Old Rose Lineages and Characteristics

Old Roses have many lineages, each with their own unique characteristics.

• Gallica: One of the oldest lineages. Produces deep crimson to pink flowers on compact plants. Extremely fragrant
• Damask: Known as the source material for rose perfume. Characterized by sweet, rich fragrance. Some varieties bloom in both spring and autumn
• Alba: Pure white to pale pink flowers. Hardy and cold-resistant, able to grow even in partial shade
• Centifolia: The "hundred-petal rose" with over 100 petals. A luxurious flower form also depicted in Dutch paintings
• Bourbon: Old Roses with repeat-blooming characteristics. Famous varieties include Louise Odier
• Moss: Distinctive appearance with moss-like glandular hairs on the sepals and flower stems. Releases a resin-like fragrance when touched

By understanding the characteristics of each lineage, you can select varieties suited to your garden's environment and your preferences.

Differences from Modern Roses

There are several clear differences between Old Roses and modern roses.

• Flower Form: Old Roses primarily feature rosette or quarter-rosette forms. Different in character from the high-centered hybrid tea form of modern roses
• Fragrance: Old Roses are generally highly fragrant. They possess complex fragrances such as Damask, Tea, and Myrrh scents
• Flower Color: Yellow and orange are rare; white, pink, red, and purple predominate. Characterized by subdued tones
• Blooming Pattern: Many varieties bloom once per season (spring only). However, Bourbon and Portland types repeat bloom
• Plant Form: Naturally proportioned and tidy; many varieties maintain good form with minimal pruning
• Disease Resistance: Varies by variety, but many are hardy and easy to grow. However, some varieties are susceptible to black spot

In exchange for their single-season bloom, Old Roses offer the overwhelming beauty and fragrance of spring flowering as their appeal.

Key Points for Cultivating Old Roses

Basic cultivation methods are similar to modern roses, but there are several specific points to note.

• Basically, a sunny location is best, but some varieties such as Alba can tolerate partial shade
• Planting is best done during the dormancy period from November to February. Bare-root plants should be planted with roots spread out
• They prefer well-draining soil. For clay soil, amend by mixing in compost or leaf mold
• For single-bloom varieties, prune lightly after flowering only to neaten. Hard pruning in winter reduces flower count
• For repeat-blooming varieties, deadhead regularly to encourage fall blooms
• Feeding focuses on winter fertilization (February) and post-bloom fertilization. Avoid fall feeding for single-bloom varieties

Since many Old Rose varieties are meant to be enjoyed in their natural form, the key is to avoid excessive pruning and training, allowing them to grow freely.

Ways to Enjoy and Use Their Fragrance

You can enjoy the fragrance—the greatest appeal of Old Roses—not only in the garden but throughout your daily life.

• In the garden, planting Old Roses where wind passes spreads their fragrance on the breeze
• The fragrance is strongest in the cool morning hours. You can savor the luxury of deep breathing in your garden in the morning
• Collect petals to make potpourri. Dried petals mixed with lavender last longer
• Damask rose petals are suitable for making rose water. You can create it simply by simmering, even without a distiller
• There is also a tradition of processing them into rose jam or rose syrup. Use pesticide-free petals suitable for consumption
• Display cut flowers indoors and their fragrance fills the room

Since fragrance intensity varies greatly by variety, it's important to confirm the scent characteristics before purchasing.

Find Old Roses on Botachoku

On Botachoku, you can purchase rare Old Rose seedlings directly from specialty producers. The reassuring point is that you can consult with growers who know roses intimately about the scent differences of each lineage and their compatibility with your garden. Look for Old Roses with classical fragrance and flower form on Botachoku.