China. Known as the green rose, this unusual variety has flowers that look like leaves. Is mostly green with brown markings. Very easy to grow and few disease problems. Flowers from early summer through to autumn. A popular and interesting rose for floral work. Is happiest when pruned lightly. 1833.

Moss. A tall and vigorous rose with sprays of buds covered in green 'moss' that open out to large crimson-purple, informal blooms that gently fade to soft mauve. Deliciously fragrant. Flowers in early summer only, but well worth planting. From France 1855.

William Lobb was Plant Collector in the Victorian era who hailed from Cornwall England.

Gallica. An old French rose which is very early flowering. Blooms of deep lilac mauve that fade to paler shades of mauve and grey. Beautifully formed flowers with a strong fragrance. Just delightful. This rose is found growing wild in the countryside in many parts of NZ. 1837.

Tea. A lovely old 'Tea' rose. The elegant, nodding blooms are shaded apricot with hints of cream and rose pink. Mid green foliage and a lovely fragrance. Flowers appear almost continuously from spring through to autumn. Prune lightly for the best results.

Has French origins and dates back to 1872

Gallica. An upright shrub like Rose with attractive grey-green foliage and very fragrant blooms that appear in summer. The blooms are flat and quartered and are a pretty blend of pink, grey and mauve. Does best in a warm sheltered position. From the mid 19th century.

Bourbon. Firstly, this Rose has nothing to do with Vince Martin! Originating from France in 1874 it grows into a tall shrub that flowers abundantly in summer. The blooms are beautifully fragrant, fully double, globular and rose pink with splashes of deep carmine. Light green, healthy foliage

Commandant Beaurepaire was a French Army officer (1740-1792). His name can be found engraved on the Arch de Triomphe in Paris.

Portland. A unusual rose with grey green foliage and large flowers of rich warm pink that emit a heady fragrance. The continuously produced flowers are excellent for cutting. Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Truly lovely and a reliable performer. 1863.

China. This is such a pretty rose bred in France in 1902. The almost single blooms are shades of soft orange and pink highlighted with red. And oh the perfume. Flowers from summer to autumn. Lovely. Assume named after Zoe Talon AKA Comtesse du Cayla and mistress of Louis XVIII.

Tea. Known as the 'Magnolia Rose' the blooms are large, double and well shaped in shades of creamy white blushed pink. Nice rich fragrance. The foliage is light green and plentiful. Likes a really warm sheltered position, repeats well from spring until autumn. 1838.

This rose has high susceptibility to downey mildew and we no longer stock it.

Gallica. Fully double pale pink blooms that carry a pleasant fragrance appear throughout summer. Dark grey-green foliage and an upright habit. Quite a vigorous grower that will tolerate poor soils and some shade. France 1829.