‘Belle sans flatterie’, a Gallica rose (before 1806).
‘Quatre Saisons’ (1899), a Damask, is the oldest repeatflowering rose in the world.
‘Mme Isaac Pereire’ (1841), a bourbon rose that is often described as the most fragrant rose of all time. ‘Bleu Magenta’ rambling rose (1933) and the light pink ‘Debutante’ rambling rose (1862) rub shoulders at Mottisfont Abbey.
Most sources classify all roses before ‘La France’ (created in 1867) as OGRs or heritage roses. However, rosarians have argued that this date should be moved to 1900. At the last World Rose convention, the ‘Peace’ rose, bred in 1945 to mark the end of WWII, was classified as an OGR. Jan van Riebeeck introduced roses
to the Cape in 1652, as did the French Huguenots in 1688. As people moved inland, so did the roses and many beautiful old varieties can still be found on farms and in cemeteries. The need to preserve these beauties is recognised worldwide. In the UK, the national collection of old roses is displayed at Mottisfont Abbey, in South Africa at The South African Rosarium in Bedford, Eastern Cape, and in the Midlands Rose Society Heritage Garden at Garlington Estate in KwaZulu-Natal.
CARING FOR OGRS Choose a sunny spot. Leave ample space as they grow tall. As their canes can be as long as 20m, ramblers require a big tree or support. “Although some old roses grow in poor soil, proper soil preparation produces better results,” says rose breeder Ludwig Taschner. Dig a hole of 1 x 1 x 1m keeping the top soil separate. Return the rest of the soil to the hole and mix in compost and peanut shells. Do the same with the topsoil, adding organic plant food pellets. This aerates the soil so that oxygen can reach the roots and also ensures good drainage. Don’t prune severely – remove only dead wood. Shape lightly to neaten the plant, if necessary. Old roses bloom on the previous year’s wood so severe pruning will result in no flowers. Those that bloom once a year in spring should be pruned lightly to shape them after they have flowered. Repeat-flowering roses can be pruned lightly in winter (cut out old wood only and side shoots to shape). Repeat-bloomers such as ‘Mme Isaac Pereire’ can be pruned in the same way you prune any hybrid tea.
SOURCES Ludwig’s Roses ludwigsroses.co.za The South African Rosarium rosariumsouthafrica.com The Heritage Rose Society of South Africa has members across the country. Join them at rosesocietysa.co.za/societies/ heritage-rose-society and help them locate and identify old roses.
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DECEMBER 2018 | gardenandhome.co.za