Repeat Flowering Bush & Shrub Roses
It is helpful to know the characteristics of different rose families when planning your garden. To purchase the roses described here just scroll further down the page, and use the filters on the left (or further down on a smaller device) to specify the colour(s).
Here are some of the repeat flowering rose families. They will repeat flower all season, especially if you dead head the flowers so more keep coming. The exception to the rule is rugosa roses which will repeat flower and produce rose hips at the same time, so no need to dead head. There is often a trade off between the length of flowering and the strength of the perfume. The once flowering rose families tend to have the best old rose perfume.
China Roses
Roses have grown in China since the dawn of time, but China was not open to Europeans until the 18th century when collectors discovered their repeat flowering abilities and used them in rose breeding with the once flowering roses, to produce the repeat flowering roses of today. They are not known for their fragrance but their are exceptions. Exceptionally long flowering is Mutabilis which flowers 10 months of the year.
Hybrid Musk Roses
These roses were the work of the Rev Pemberton of the UK in the early 1900s. A key characteristic is that they all have clusters of flowers, although the flower shape, size and colour is varied. They are also long flowering, especially if deadheaded. When not deadheaded they produce rose hips. They are very versatile in that they can be grown as shrubs if lightly pruned or as small ramblers on fences. They can also be grown in half a barrel. My favourites are Moonlight, Danae and Buff Beauty. They tend to have light perfume, although Buff Beauty is stronger than most
Rugosa Roses
These roses were originally found on the coastal margins of China and Japan. Their thick, deeply veined (rugose) leaves and thorny stems protect them from salt and wind. The flowers can be single (five petalled) or double and in a
variety of colours. They are often very fragrant and produce wonderful large red rosehips. The single roses tend to produce the best rose hips. In autumn, their foliage turns tawny yellow, orange and red. These are the best roses to buy if
you live near the coast and if you are interested in making products from rose hips. They are not all long flowerers but those that are Ann Endt and Corylus.
Tea Roses
This family of roses was in its heyday in the late 19th century. The name describes the characteristic fragrance, reminiscent of the finest china tea. The colour of the bloom is not normally a flat colour but a blend of tones. They are usually very long flowering and bloom here right into winter. A favourite is the pink rose Archiduc Joseph which is also a lovely cut flower.
